My Genealogy Hound

J. W. Clopton, wholesale grocer and cotton factor, Helena, Ark. This most enterprising and successful business man is the son of John H. and Matilda (Drake) Clopton, both of whom were born near Nashville, Tenn. They were married in that State, and in 1841 moved to Marshall County, Miss., where they resided until 1851, and then moved to Phillips County, Ark., where the father died in 1856. The mother died in 1865. Of the ten children born to their union, four are now living: Hoggatt, Jesse P., James W. (in Phillips County) and William C. (in New York City). James W. Clopton, was born in Marshall County, Miss., on March 16, 1841, and was ten years of age when he came to this county with his parents. He was educated principally in Helena, was reared partly on the farm, and at an early age began clerking, which enterprise he continued until the late Civil War. He then enlisted in the Yell Rifles, of which the late Maj.-Gen. Cleburne was captain, and served until the close of the war, He received a gunshot in the right hand and left wrist at the battle of Shiloh, came home on a furlough, and while here he was captured and taken to Alton, Ill. After being retained for about four months, he was exchanged, and fortunately fell in with the first lot of prisoners that got through. He joined his regiment at Murfreesboro, and was second sergeant. He was in all the principal engagements, and served his cause faithfully and well. Returning home he farmed for two years, and then embarked in mercantile pursuits which he has since carried on. He has an extensive wholesale business, and is a successful business man. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Bettie Rainey, a native of Macon, Miss., by whom he has five children: Mary, Edna, Alice, James W. and Bess. Mr. Clopton is a member of the K. of P. and American Legion of Honor, is a stockholder in the People’s Saving Bank and Helena Compress Company, also the Fair Association, and is president of the Chamber of Commerce.