CLAPSADDLE, ANDREW K.

CLAPSADDLE, MORTON, BRADLEY

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 5/17/2004 at 16:46:02

Biography reproduced from page 480 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

A well cultivated and highly improved farm of one hundred and sixty-four acres located in Luverne township, is a credit to the industry and ability of Andrew K. Clapsaddle, who has been a resident of Kossuth county for twenty-one years. He was born on a farm located on the boundary line of Linn and Jones counties, Iowa, on October 28, 1856, and is a son of Kilburn and Harriet (Morton) Clapsaddle. The father was born in Herkimer county, New York, but when a child of three years he was taken to Dupage county, Illinois, where he was reared and educated. The mother is a native of Dupage county and there she was married to Mr. Clapsaddle. Soon after this event the young people removed to Iowa, but three years later they returned to Illinois, locating on a farm in Will county. The father has now attained the venerable age of seventy-nine years and has withdrawn from active work, and he and the mother reside in Kankakee, Illinois. He always devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits and still holds title to valuable farm land in Kankakee county. The Clapsaddle family is of German extraction, the grandfather of our subject having been born in the old country, and they possess the energy and thrift that usually characterize the people of that nation. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of three children born to his parents. The only daughter of the family, Rosetta, is deceased, and the younger son, P. E., is living in Kankakee, but also owns a farm in Luverne township, this county.

The greater part of the education of Andrew K. Clapsaddle was acquired in the common schools of Kankakee county, Illinois, although he attended the schools of Dupage and Will counties, that state. In common with the majority of lads who are reared in the country, he was early trained in the practical methods of tilling the fields and caring for the crops and by the time he had attained his maturity was fully qualified to manage a farm. He remained at home until he had reached his majority, when he went to Momence, Kankakee county, and began farming on his own account on rented land. During the succeeding thirteen years he continued to cultivate land, but at the expiration of that time, in 1891, he came to Kossuth county and bought his present farm. The property was entirely unimproved at that time and only forty acres of the land had been broken. Mr. Clapsaddle has fenced his land and erected all of the buildings on the place, in addition to which he has planted a grove and orchard. He is practical and systematic in his methods, and progressive in his ideas and was the first farmer in this section of the county to tile his fields. During the long period of ownership he has brought his land to a high state of productivity and annually reaps abundant harvests, the quality of which is fully equal to the quantity. His farm is thoroughly equipped with all appliances essential to the modern agriculturist and is well kept up, everything about the place indicating capable supervision and competent direction. In addition to the cultivation of his fields, Mr. Clapsaddle is extensively engaged in feeding cattle and hogs for the market, and has met with very good success in this branch of his business.

In 1878, Mr. Clapsaddle was united in marriage to Miss Minnie E. Bradley, who was born in Canada and came to Illinois the year prior to her marriage. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clapsaddle: Fred, who is living in Ida county, Iowa; Dora Rosetta, deceased; William K., a graduate of Corwith high school, who is now at home; and Harold A., who is a student of the Corwith high school.

The family affiliate with the Baptist church, in which the parents hold membership. Fraternally Mr. Clapsaddle is identified with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, and in politics he is a republican. He has always taken an active and helpful interest in all local affairs and served for thirteen years as trustee of Luverne township and for eleven he was a member of the school board. Mr. Clapsaddle has led a life of activity and business enterprise and in the development of his interests has met with the success that rewards intelligently directed effort. He is held in high esteem in his community as he is a progressive and public-spirited citizen and a business man of integrity and commendable methods.