John R. Clopton, merchant and mail contractor at Dadeville, Mo., is a native of Dade County, born on Sac River, two miles south of Dadeville (where he now lives), January 22, 1852. He moved to Dadeville March 14, 1866, went to California in November, 1873, but returned in October, 1873, and, July 19, 1874, he chose for his companion in life Miss Martha A. Gaunt, who was born in Dadeville, November 10, 1852, and who is the daughter of John M. and Emily (Pyles) Gaunt, very early settlers of this locality. The father is still living, but the mother died in 1877. To Mr. and Mrs. Clopton were born six children, all living: Walter T., Carter E., Charles R., Franklin E., Elizabeth J. and John H. Soon after marriage M. Clopton moved on a farm at Sun Creek, in Dade County, but subsequently sold to William Johnson, and moved to what is known as the “Fanning farm,” where he remained one year. He then traded a farm in Polk County for one in Dade County, on Sac River, settled on the same, and there remained two years, after which he moved back to the Fanning farm. Later he moved to Dadeville. He has the mail route from Buckley to Cane Hill, and has the contract for six years, which time expires July 1, 1891. Mr. Clopton has seven acres of land on the town site of Dadeville. He is a Republican in politics. He is the son of R. G. and Elizabeth (Fanning) Clopton, the grandson of Gui and Mary (Bryant) Clopton, who were born in North Carolina in 1777 and 1787, respectively The grandparents emigrated from Tennessee to St. Charles County, Mo., in 1825, and were early settlers of that county. After residing there nine years they came to Dade County, Mo., and were among the first settlers of this vicinity. Gui Clopton died here in 1839, and his wife, Mary, died in 1879, at the age of ninety-two years. Both were of English descent. R. G. Clopton, father of the subject of this sketch, is still living, and is engaged in the mercantile business with his son. He was a mule-trader during the war, and, in 1862, was captured by a rebel squad, who, after discovering that he had money, relieved him of $300, and then allowed him his liberty. After reaching home he discovered that he had about $100 which they had failed to find. His wife, Elizabeth (Fanning) Clopton, was born in Tennessee in 1829, and is yet living. Her father, Thomas Fanning, was of English descent, and died in Dade County, Mo., in 1860. Her grandfather, Thomas Fanning, Sr., and his wife, Sarah Fanning, were both born in England, and died in Tennessee.
