James E Claypoole
JAMES E. CLAYPOOLE, manager and superintendent of the Buffalo Woolen Mills, at Worthington, Pa., was born in 1850, in West Franklin Township, Armstrong Co., Pa., a son of James and Mary Claypoole, grandson of George Claypoole, and great-grandson of James Claypoole.
James Claypoole was born near Philadelphia, Pa., and at a very early day endeavored to establish a home in Manor Township, Armstrong county, but was driven away by the Indians. Some years afterward he returned to Manor township and was one of the early settlers, seeing much hardship but successfully defending himself and family from further Indian attacks.
George Claypoole, son of James, was born in Armstrong county and his life was spent in agricultural work. He married a member of the Campbell family, and they had the following children : James, George, Abraham, Joseph, Margaret, Rebecca, Mary Ann and Lucretia. George Claypoole died in the year 1858, at the age of ninety-two years.
James Claypoole, son of George and father of James E. Claypoole, was born and reared in Armstrong county and followed the peaceful life of a farmer. He was a man of sound judgment and at times was elected to township offices. His first marriage was to Jane Sloan, who died without issue, and his second union was with Mary J. Black. Five children were born to them, namely: James E., George H., Maggie A., John S., and Mary E. The father of the above family died in 1883, and the mother in 1896. They were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church.
James E. Claypoole attended the local schools, the Slate Lick high school, and the Worthington Select School, after which he accepted a clerical position in the store of W. F. Rumberger, of Craigsville, and remained there for one year. From 1873 until 1886 he was a clerk in the store of Graff & Firth, of Buffalo Mills, and the was promoted to manager, at which time he became a stockholder as well as superintendent of the Buffalo Woolen Mills, as stated above. These mills were established in 1865. The product up to 1888 was largely flannels and stocking yarns; since then the main product has been wool bed blankets, which are in great demand today, having won their way through the excellence of their manufacturer. The business is in a prosperous condition.
In 1877 Mr. Claypoole was married to Sarah E. Morrison, daughter of John C. Morrison of Worthington, Pa., and they have six children as follows: Mary Bell, who is the wife of Dr. Maxwell; Margaret F., who is the wife of James Rayburn; John N., James A., who married Miss. Boarts; Greta, and Samuel. For forty five years Mr. Claypoole has been an active member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been a trustee for more than forty years and a teacher in the Sunday school for over twenty years. He has been a member as well as a leader of the choir ever since he united with the church, in 1868.
Source: Pages 914 - 915 , Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed February 1999 by Nanci Michalkiewicz for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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