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James S. Claypool
JAMES S. CLAYPOOL, closely associated with much of the building in
Kittanning and all over Armstrong county, and a man of wide business
connections, was born Jan. 6, 1858, near Worthington, Pa., in West Franklin
township, this county, son of Abraham and Mary Ann (Miller) Claypool.George Claypool, the grandfather, was one of the early settlers of
Armstrong county, developing a fine farm in this section.Abraham Claypool was also a farmer. He and his wife became the parents of
nine children: Mary E., wife of Samuel Bonner; John; Hattie J., wife of Harvey
Claypool; George; Caroline, wife of William Forester; William H.; James S.;
Sadie, who died unmarried, and one who died in infancy. The parents were
consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.James S. Claypool attended school in the old Bradford schoolhouse, and from
childhood assisted his father. After the death of the latter he farmed the
homestead, and paid off his father’s debts. Until he was about twenty-eight
years old he followed farming, and then became a huckster, buying and selling
various kinds of articles. Within a short time he was able to buy a small
tract. He operated it and also a small mine on his farm, for three years.
Following this Mr. Claypool went to Kittanning to work as a carpenter at $1.50
per day, and progressed so rapidly that he was soon made foreman. During the
evenings he also worked drawing plans for buildings, and soon became
proficient as a draftsman. In 1884 he began buying and selling lumber, and
continued to operate along this line for a year, until he was able to
establish himself in a general lumber business at Kittanning. He is now
selling lumber both wholesale and retail. By the time he had built up a large
business, he found that he had over-exerted himself and was obliged to take a
period of rest. While at Punxsutawney, Pa., recovering his strength, he
discovered a fine tract of land, which his keen appreciation of values showed
him was a desirable holding, so he bought it, and soon had two sawmills in
full running order, giving employment to sixty men and twenty-five teams. When
he had it all in good running order he returned to Kittanning, built a planing
mill, opened a lumber yard, and established himself as a general contractor
and builder as well as lumber dealer. From that time on he has been one of the
leading men in his several lines. He has had to fight combinations, but has
always been equal to emergencies, and has come out successfully from all
undertakings. He served one term as member of the council of Kittanning, and
is a member and director of the Board of Trade. He is a self-made man in every
respect, and his success shows what a man can accomplish if he is willing to
exert himself. A deeply religious man he has had faith in his Creator and the
Bible, and has always been a consistent member of the Baptist Church, to which
his wife also belongs. He has been a member of its official board since its
organization in Kittanning.On Dec. 4, 1883, Mr. Claypool was married to Margaret J. Toy, daughter of
James Toy. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Claypool: Finley S.,
deceased; Homer H., who was married Aug. 7, 1912, to Wilda D. Rowland,
daughter of Rev. M. L. Rowland, of Plumville, Indiana county; and James G.,
deceased.Source: Pages 441, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and
Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed September 2001 by Vaughn Davis for the Armstrong County Beers
Project
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
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