CLAPP, James Washington - 1890 Bio (1836-1903)

CLAPP, PHIPPS, MCCORMACK, MAXWELL

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/31/2007 at 20:28:25

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 499-500

James W. CLAPP, a leading farmer and stock-raiser of Buchanan Township, residing on section 28, is a native of North Carolina. He was born in Guilford County, on the 2nd of June, 1836, and is a son of John and Maria J. (PHIPPS) CLAPP. His father was born in Guilford County, on the 1st day of January, 1810, and spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that neighborhood where he later married Miss PHIPPS who is some nine years his junior. In 1838, he removed to Jennings County, Ind., with his wife and two children, making the journey in a one-horse wagon and when he had arrived at his destination and all his traveling expenses were paid he found that he had but thirty-five cents remaining with which to begin life on the then western frontier. He was an athletic man and a great wrestler. Full of energy, he betook himself to making a farm in the heavy beech woods and accomplished the work which he undertook. Some sixteen years later, in 1854, he came to Jefferson County, locating in Buchanan Township, but in 1856, he removed to Wayne County, Iowa, where he and his wife still reside. When the war broke out he equipped his two sons, William L. and John F., for the Union Army and himself enlisted as a member of the celebrated Graybeard regiment, in which he did valiant service. His sympathies being heartly enlisted with the oppressed negroes of the South, on the formation of the Republican party which was organized to prevent the further extension of slavery, he severed his connection with the old Whig party and joined the ranks of a the new one. Although reared in the midst of a slave holding settlement, he was always a strong opponent of the practice. Both he and his wife had been life-long members of the Presbyterian Church and are respected citizens of Wayne County.

James W. CLAPP, whose name heads this notice, was the eldest in a family of thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters, of whom eight, three sons and five daughters are yet living. Being the eldest of a numerous family, he was in consequence obliged to assist his father in clearing the farm and getting the land in readiness that it might yield some returns for their efforts, and hence had little opportunity for securing an education. He was eighteen years of age when he came with his parents to Jefferson County. He accompanied them to Wayne County also, but soon afterwards returned and on the 15th of February, 1861, in Buchanan Township, he was united in marriage with Miss Samantha J. McCORMACK, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of John and Mary A. (MAXWELL) McCORMACK.

After his marriage, Mr. CLAPP and his bride took up their residence in Wayne County, where he purchased and improved an eighty-acre farm, but in 1864 we once more find him in Jefferson County and since that time he has made his home in Buchanan Township. A self-made man, the possessions which he has are the result of industry, good management and enterprise. His farm comprises three hundred and fifty-two and one-half acres, all highly cultivated and improved, upon which he raises stock for market.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. CLAPP was blessed with nine children, six sons and three daughters; two daughters however died in infancy and Mary S. died at the age of eleven years. The living are John E., a resident farmer of Nebraska; William L. at home; Charles H., who is also living in Nebraska; George W.; Marshall J. and Vernon H.

Mr. CLAPP casts his ballot with the Republican party and both he and his wife belong to the Fairfield Methodist Church. He is regarded as a prominent and influential citizen of the community but has never sought prominence through public office preferring the quiet of home life to the turmoil of politics. He is a man well informed on all matters of general interest and we gladly record the sketch of one so widely and favorably known.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.