Alman A. Clapsaddle is a brilliant young attorney of Leland, Illinois,
who is rapidly forcing his way to a prominent place among the legal
fraternity of this county. He was born November 25, 1868, in DeKalb, DeKalb
county, this state, and is a son of Andrew and Mary (Ames) Clapsaddle,
prominent residents of that county.
Andrew Clapsaddle was of German
origin, but the place of his nativity was Herkimer county, New York, whence
he came to DeKalb county in 1848. He had received a good education and the
earlier years of his life were spent in teaching school, a vocation for
which he was eminently fitted. Coming to this state he engaged in
agricultural pursuits and it was while thus engaged that he met Mrs. Mary
Heustis, nee Ames, for whom a strong friendship was formed. Her parents were
of Scotch-English descent and were early settlers of Stonington,
Massachusetts, moving later to Otsego county, New York, where the daughter,
Mary, was born. The friendship which sprung up between Andrew Clapsaddle and
Mrs. Mary Heustis soon ripened into love and culminated in their marriage. A
family of five children blessed their home, which was rudely broken by the
death of the affectionate wife and mother in 1873. Left with a number of
small children to care for, the father chose a second wife to preside over
his household and care for his little ones and was permitted to remain with
them until they were grown to adult years. In 1894 he laid down the burdens
of life and entered into the dreamless sleep that leads to life everlasting.
Alman A. Clapsaddle was five years of age when he was bereft of his
mother's love and care, but remained at home and grew to manhood on his
father's farm. He assisted with the chores common to all farms and attended
the country schools; but farm work did not appear congenial and he decided
to enter a profession, choosing the legal as offering the greatest scope. He
attended school at Leland and then entered Jennings Seminary at Aurora.
Leaving school he became a teacher for four or five years, having in the
meantime entered the office of M. T. Maloney, of Ottawa, with whom he
studied two years and was admitted to the bar in June, 1892. He first
practiced in Ottawa for one year and in 1893 came to Leland, where he has
since been established and has worked up a good clientage. He has a large
patronage among the better class of people and his skill in the treatment of
the cases that come under his care has shown a surprising ability in one of
his experience.
Mr. Clapsaddle was married in 1890 to Miss Minnie
Potter, daughter of C. M. Potter, of Leland, and two children have been the
fruits of their union, Reita M. and Janet A. He is a member of Leland Lodge,
No. 558, F. & A. M., and Sandwich Chapter, No. 107, R. A. M. He is a
Republican in his political views and is well posted on all the current
events of the day. He has won the respect of the community by his conduct
and general bearing and his friends predict for him a bright and prosperous
future.
Extracted 19 Dec 2018 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 588-589.
| Lee | DeKalb | Kane |
| Bureau |
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Kendall |
| Putnam | Grundy | |
| Marshall | Woodford | Livingston |
