George L. Clupper
One of the most gratifying phases in the history of Grant County is that afforded in the fact that so appreciable a percentage of its honored and representative citizens and leading men of affairs can claim the fine old Hoosier State as the place of their nativity, and this distinction applies to him whose name introduces this paragraph, and who is well and favorably known as one of the prominent figures in the business activities of the city of Marion, where he holds the responsible post of manager of the Marion Loan Company.
Mr. Clupper was born on a farm near the village of Treaty, Wabash County, Indiana, on the 24th of September, 1882, and his prestige as one of the representative business men of the younger generation in Grant County has been essentially the result of his own ability and well ordered endeavors. He is a son of Lewis and Maria (Putnam) Clupper, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Wabash County, Indiana, where her parents were sterling pioneer settlers. Lewis Clupper has given his active life almost exclusively to the great industry of agriculture in connection with which he has won success worthy of the name. He and his wife still reside in Wabash county, on an attractive homestead near the city of Wabash, and after years of earnest and fruitful effort he is now virtually retired. Of the three children George L., of this review was the first in order of birth; Harley G. has active supervision of the old homestead farm, in Wabash County and Hugh E., is a resident of Brown County, this State.
George L. Clupper gained his early experience in connection with the environment, influences and labors of the home farm and his educational advantages were those afforded in the public schools of the neighboring village of Treaty. After leaving school he entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade in the employ of others for three years he devoted two years to independent work as a contractor and builder, with headquarters at Treaty. He then engaged in the general merchandise business in that city and after continuing this enterprise for three years he came to Marion, the judicial center and metropolis of Grant county, where he was employed about six months in the Marion Grey Iron Foundry. For eighteen months thereafter he was a salesman in Crevison's market, and on the 31st of July, 1910, he assumed the office of treasurer of the Marion Loan Company, with which substantial and well conducted business he has since been identified in this capacity. He is a capable, reliable and progressive business man and is a citizen of utmost loyalty and of the highest ideals and principles, so that he merits and commands the unequivocal confidence and esteem of his fellow men.
In politics Mr. Clupper is found arrayed as a staunch supporter of the cause of the Republican party, and he has been and continues specially active and zealous in connection with religious affairs, as an influential and valued member of the Central Christian Church in his home city. Both he and his wife are devoted workers in this church, in which he holds the office of elder, as well as that of trustee. He has been specially prominent in connection with Sunday School work and in the furtherance of the same ahs been called upon to deliver addresses in many cities and villages of his native State, besides which he is at the present time president of the Grant County Sunday School Association. He is affiliated with the Marin Lodge of Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife are most popular factors in the social activities of the community.
In a retrospective way it may be noted that the father of Mr. Clupper was a valiant soldier of the Union of the Civil War, as were also three of his brothers, and all of the number are still living, honored veterans of the great conflict through which the integrity of the nation was perpetuated. Joseph Putnam, maternal grandfather of him to whom this sketch is dedicated, likewise tendered his services in defense of the Union, as a member of an Indiana regiment, and he sacrificed his life on the field of battle.
On the 1st of August, 1905, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Clupper to Miss Ethel Whitlock, daughter of Ira and Rebecca Whitlock, who are well known and highly esteemed citizens of this county, where the father owns and resides upon a fine farm of two hundred acres, in Richland Township. Mr. and Mrs. Clupper have two fine little sons, Forrest l. and Ira L.
Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914.