Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
LUTHER M. CLAYPOOL. The old-fashioned notion that hard work, patient industry and farsightedness make for success in the various avenues of life, seems yet to hold good, although not perhaps so universally accepted in our day, the spread of pessimism engendered by many phases of our complex life being in a great measure responsible for some lack of faith in the old ideas. However, if we observe conditions closely we will find that the intelligent individual who leads a practical and industrious life, will reach a point of success commensurate with his efforts. The career of Luther M. Claypool, well known insurance man of Springfield, will afford us an instance of this, for he is an advocate of persistency, honesty and the adoption of new ideas and in having system in his work, and these elements have resulted in success.
Mr. Claypool was born in Bell county, Texas, August 16, 1884. He is a son of C. W. and Sarah (Hall) Claypool, both reared in Missouri, the former of Scotch-Irish and the latter of Irish extraction. C. W. Claypool grew up a farmer boy and was educated in the rural schools of his community. His wife was born in Tennessee, from which state she came to Missouri in her girlhood and received her education in the common schools. These parents were married in 1876 and two years later removed to Bell county, Texas, where Mr. Claypool engaged in farming. His family consisted of, five children, namely: Nettie, Charles O., Luther M., Eiza V., and Lonnie B. C. W. Claypool remained in the Lone Star state with his family until 1902, when he returned to Missouri, locating on a farm in Greene county, which has been his chief life work and which he has been successful in. He was justice of the peace for several years at Phoenix. During the past two years he has been engaged in the mercantile business there, handling boots and shoes, and has built up a good trade. He has been a loyal Republican since reaching his majority, and he and his wife have been members of the Baptist church for many years.
Luther M. Claypool grew to manhood on the home farm. After attending the public schools he spent two years in Central Texas Institute, from which he was graduated in June, 1902, with honors, having made an excellent record for scholarship.
He began life for himself as a farmer for one year, then followed stationary engineering for five years at Phoenix, Missouri, during which time he took a course in stationary engineering and steam fitting. He became an expert in this field of endeavor and followed it successfully until 1909, when he accepted a position in the Heer Department Store in Springfield, remaining there until the fall of 1910, when he took up the insurance business which he has continued ever since with increasing success. In January, 1915, he accepted an agency for the Central Life Insurance Company, having agencies covering twenty counties. Eleven men are working under his direction. He is not only a good judge of men but is a splendid salesman and is one of the most successful insurance men in Springfield.
Mr. Claypool was married. March 7, 1909, to Maud V. Brady, a daughter of John and Maryland (Keer) Brady. The father was born in Ireland, from which country he immigrated to the United States in early life and for a number of years followed farming. The mother of Mrs. Claypool was born in Greene county, Missouri. Both these parents are of Scotch-Irish extraction.
To Mr. and Mrs. Claypool one son has been born, Denziel Leon Claypool.
Mr. Claypool is a Republican, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have made many warm friends since taking up their residence in Springfield.
[1888-1889]
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