Adair County Iowa

Since 1903 I. T. Clayton has conducted a livery stable and garage at Orient and has been accorded a liberal patronage. He was born in Warren county, Illinois, on the 30th of June, 1863, a son of Andrew and Mary A. (Cole) Clayton, both natives of Kentucky. In 1845 they removed to Warren county, Illinois, where they remained for twenty-five years, but in 1870 they came to Adair county, Iowa, and settled upon a farm in Richland township, where both passed away. The father was twice married and by his first union had three children, all of whom are deceased. By his marriage with the mother of our subject he had six children, of whom three survive.

I. T. Clayton was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the district schools. When a young man of twenty-two years he began his independent business career and for many years followed agricultural pursuits. In 1902, however, he began dealing in horses at Orient and the following year he became the owner of a livery stable and garage, which he has since conducted. Both the stable and garage are well equipped and, as he is obliging and thoroughly honorable in all of his business dealings, it is but natural that he should be well patronized. He is recognized as one of the successful business men of Orient and is a factor in the commercial expansion of the town. He also owns his residence in Orient.

On the 10th of October, 1901, Mr. Clayton married Miss Nora R. Geary, who was born in Mahaska county, this state, of the marriage of Frederick and Phoebe Geary, natives of Ohio, who in the ‘50s became residents of Iowa. Her father is deceased but her mother survives. Mr. and Mrs. Clayton have been the parents of five children: Anna M., deceased; one who died in infancy; Treva; Everett A.; and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Clayton is a democrat and for four years served on the town council of Orient, exercising his official prerogatives in behalf of the public welfare. Fraternally he is well known, as he belongs to the Masonic blue lodge, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeoman. He is a member of the Baptist church. He has thoroughly identified his interests with those of Orient and no movement for the betterment of his community lacks his hearty support and cooperation.