Joel M CLANTON

                   BIRTH: census 1856 Madison, Iowa age 40  farmer, mother Rachel is living with them age 75

MARRIAGE:

DEATH:

BURIAL:   St Charles Cemetery in Madison Iowa by mom and brother Isaac

ORDINANCES:

NOTES: Clanton, Joel M., Last Mondy at 2 o'clock p.m., Uncle Joel M. Clnton bade earth adieu. For three or four months past he had suffered with Bright's disease, and his life was by times despaired of, but he recovered sufficiently to be out some among his friends. Ten days ago, however, the grippe seized him, and he gradually grew worse until the end. He was conscious up to the last moment of life, knew and called his friends by name as they approached his bedside. Quite a number of relatives from a distance who had been notified of his dangerous illness, were present during his last hours. The funeral was held at the M. E. church at 1 o'clock Tuesday, conducted by Rev. Meseltine. The congregation was large, and deep emotion was manifested by all at the departure of this the oldest pioneer and a widely respected citizen. To attempt a complete biography of Uncle Joel Clanton in these columns would be useless. It would fill all the columns of a much larger paper than the Reporter. His life and character are much better known by all our people than we can tell. He has always been a conscientious, straight- forward, honest, reputable man - his life has been an open book. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, Jan. 22, 1815, just 77 years and 3 days preceeding his death. When quite young he moved with his parents to Scott county, Ill., at which place he lived until 16 years of age. From there he went with his parents to Adams county, Ill., where, in 1836 he was married to Sarah Hudson. On last Friday on his death bed, he talked of being 77 years old and on Saturday mentioned the fact that he had been married 56 years. With his wife he moved to Buchanan county, Mo., in 1838 where he lived 8 years. March 1, 1846 he left Missouri with others for Iowa, and after much reconnoitering and hardships in traveling over a wild and comparatively unexplored country, on the morning of May 3, 1846, he located his future home, set up his tent and staked out the claim upon which he lived and died. The party who came with him was composed of Isaac Clanton, Chas. Clanton and Caleb Clark, with............to go by ox team for their provisions. Soon after their location a discus- sion arose as to the advisability of moving again, most all the party being in favor of going. But Mrs. Rachell Clanton was bound to stay and her judgement prevailed. The incidents of those days, the hardships and privations, the cabins they lived in and the coarse living they endured, were matters of much interest to Uncle Joel in later days, and it was always interesting to hear him relate those experiences. The Clanton party were the very first settlers of Madison county with the possible exception of Hiram Hurst, who it is claimed by some, came here one month previous to them. In the party, according to the history of the county, there were 18 children under the age of 12. The youngest child was Polly Clanton, now wife of Alfred Souders, then two and one-half months old. They had two double teams of horses and three of oxen, and there was not $500 in the entire party. The stream now known as "Clanton Creek" was so named in honor of these settlers. And so we might go on and prolong the history of this party of first settlers, but we will desist. Uncle Joel, with his patient wife, has lived on the claim he staked off in that early time and seen this country grow and prosper and progress up to the present day. They have seen a wilderness converted into a populous, prosperous country, dotted with cities and towns, checkered with railroads. Poor but lion hearted, they struggled with the poverty and privation of a wild, uninhabited country, moving on in the line of progress as a higher civilization and more modern development overtook them. Their labors were crowned with success, until at one time Uncle Joel was well to-do and had plenty. But financial misfortune seemed to overtake him in his old age and as a result he leaves comparatively little of this world's goods behind him, although plenty to support his companion. He was the father of 15 children, five of whom are
still living. His faithful wife also survives him, age 75. He has gone the way of all earthly to investigate the realities of the great unknown, leaving a life well rounded up with good deeds, and a Christian record of 34 years during which time he belonged to the Christian church. His remains sleep beside those of his brother, Isaac, in the cemetery west of this place which is located upon the ground Isaac staked out as his claim. "Peace to his ashes."