Joseph E. Clayton Biography


	This biography appears on pages 667-668 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JOSEPH E. CLAYTON. 

	Joseph E. Clayton is a member of the Mobridge bar and in a 
profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and 
ability has worked his way steadily upward. He was born at Elk Grove, 
Wisconsin, November 29, 1864, and is a son of Robert and Hannah 
Clayton, both of whom were natives of England. They came to America in 
early life, settling in Wisconsin, and afterward removed to 
Independence, Iowa, where they secured a farm and still make their 
home. In their family were ten children, of whom J. E. Clayton is the 
eldest and theirs is a remarkable family record in that the circle yet 
remains unbroken by the hand of death. 

	Joseph E. Clayton acquired his education in the district schools 
of Iowa, in Fayette College and in the Iowa State Teachers, College, 
being graduated from the last named in 1891, at which time the 
Bachelor's degree was conferred upon him. In 1894 he received the 
Master's degree and in 1898 he was graduated from the State University 
of Iowa. He afterward pursued a course of study at Vermillion, South 
Dakota, where he was admitted to the bar. He located at Mobridge in 
1909 and has since engaged in practice there. His preparation was 
thorough and since entering upon practice his advancement has been 
continuous. He has an intimate knowledge of the principles of 
jurisprudence and has proved himself equal to solving intricate legal 
problems. Moreover, he realizes the necessity of thorough preparation 
before entering the court room and when he begins the trial of a case 
is always well qualified for defense as well as attack. He has 
therefore won many forensic battles. 

	In 1896 Mr. Clayton was married to Miss Ivah G. Blank, who was 
born in Quasqueton, Iowa, a daughter of Henry and Hannah (Leatherman) 
Blank, the former of Pennsylvania and the latter of Illinois. In early 
life they removed to Iowa and were married in Linn county, that state. 
There the father died in 1904 but the mother still survives and now 
makes her home with a daughter in Florida. Mr. and Mrs. Blank became 
the parents of nine children, eight of whom are yet living,. Mrs. 
Clayton is a lady of liberal education, being a graduate of the Iowa 
State Teachers, College, Cedar Falls, Iowa, and for five years taught 
in the public schools of Iowa and for four years successfully engaged 
in teaching in Mobridge. By her marriage she has become the mother of 
two children: Catherine Grace, who was born December 8,1900, and is now 
attending school; and Paul Wentworth, born February 18, 1906. The 
family home is a fine residence justly celebrated for its warmhearted 
hospitality and Mr. and Mrs. Clayton occupy an enviable position in 
social circles. 

	In his political views he is a democrat and while living in Iowa 
was superintendent of schools for nine years prior to entering upon the 
study of law. He is now occupying the position of city attorney, haying 
'acted in that capacity since the city was incorporated. Fraternally he 
is connected with Mobridge Lodge, No. 164, F. & A. M., of which he is 
now the secretary, and his wife is a member of the Eastern Star and the 
P. E. O. Mr. Clayton has ever been intensely interested in the cause of 
education and is now acting as president of the school board of 
Mobridge. Throughout his entire life he has been guided by the spirit 
of progress and he attacks everything with a contagious enthusiasm so 
that his support of any public measure is bound to result beneficially.