THOMAS R. CLAYPOOL, was born on a farm in Champaign county, Ohio, February 19, 1826. His parents moved to Sangamon County, Illinois, and settled in Athens precinct, when he was eighteen months old. He remained here on a farm with his father until 1857, when he struck out for himself. He went to Menard county, Illinois, and improved a farm three miles north of Sweetwater, where he remained eight years, when he sold out and returned to Sangamon county and settled on the farm where he now lies, just north of Cantrall. He was married to Miss Fannie Holland, October 8, 1854. She was born in Sangamon county. She was a daughter of Turner Holland, and Nancy Cantrall. They were both members of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Claypool have had six children, five living, viz: Ida M., now Mrs. Van Meter, residing in Fancy Creek; Clara B., Levi B., Chloe, and Fred. Charley H. Claypool died in infancy. The father of Thomas R., Levi Claypool, was born in Greenbriar county, Virginia. He was a farmer, and died in February, 1867. His wife, Melinda Rollins, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky. She and husband were both members of the M. E. Church. She is still living at Athens, Menard county, Illinois. The subject of this sketch, Mr. T. R. Claypool, has a farm of four hundred and forty acres in Cantrall township, all under good cultivation and well stocked, growing grain, and raises stock for market. In politics he is a strong supporter of the Republican party, and cast his first vote in 1847, for a Whig President.