William Clapper

    William Clapper, deceased, was born in Licking Township, Blackford County, Indiana, August 6, 1843, a son of Jacob and Amanda (Kemmer) Clapper, who were brought to Blackford County when young, from Stark County, Ohio. The grandparents of our subject, John and Mary Clapper, came to Blackford County in an early day, being among the early pioneers of the county, where they lived to an advanced age. Both are buried in Hartford Cemetery. The Clappers are of German ancestry. The father of our subject died at the age of fifty-nine years old. They were the parents of eight children -William, Ann, Sarah, Jacob, Rachel, John, Henry and Mary, all of whom are deceased except Rachel, Henry and Mary.

    William Clapper whose name heads this sketch, grew to manhood on his father's farm in Blackford County, being reared to the avocation of a farmer, which he followed through life. He was a thorough, practical farmer, and met with good success in his agricultural pursuits, and was the owner of a well improved farm of 100 acres on section 33, Washington Township, where he was living at the time of his death.

    Mr. Clapper was married October 3, 1865, to Miss Emily Lillibridge, a native of Hocking County, Ohio born December 31, 1845, who was brought to Blackford County, Indiana, when nine months old, where she has since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Clapper had born to them three children -William Albert, born October 18, 1867; Bertha F., born May 5, 1869, and Ora V., born February 3, 1878. Mr. Clapper died of typhoid pneumonia, February 25, 1886, his death being a source of regret throughout his neighborhood. He was a man of public spirit, and was always interested in the advancement of his township or county, and by his genial and cordial manners he won many friends.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.