Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 779.
 
LUTHER D. CLAYPOOL 

     is rightly classed with the early pioneers of this country. His birth
occurred in Linn county, Oregon, on September 13, 1858, and he now resides five
miles north from Paulina and is devoting his attention to farming and stock
raising. D. Wayne Claypool, his father, born in Hendricks county, Indiana, on
October 8, 1834. He came with his parents to the vicinity of St. Joseph,
Missouri, when three years of age and in 1846 accompanied them across the plains
with ox teams to Marion county, Oregon. Later they moved to Linn county where
his father took a donation claim. Wayne Claypool remained there until grown to
manhood, when he took land for himself and engaged in farming. D. Wayne Claypool
joined the Oregon Volunteers in the Indian War of 1856, being enrolled in the
Linn County company, captained by John Suttle, in the regiment commanded by Col.
Thomas R. Cornelius. They were out about three or more months and traveled east
to the mouth of the Palouse river. Their provisions becoming exhausted, they
were forced to live on horse meat for three weeks. In the fall of 1867, in
company with William Smith. Captain White, Elisha Barnes, Raymond Burkhart and
Calvin Burkhart, Mr. Claypool came to what is now Crook county and made location
on Mill creek. They were the first settlers in the country and the only white
men who spent the winter of 1867-68 in Crook county. That same winter a band of
outlaw Indians camped at what was known as Gesner station on Crooked river,
learned of the settlers being there and in the spring made a raid on them. They
succeeded in capturing a good portion of the stock belonging to the settlers and
getting away with it. The men gathered up, the balance and moved to Camp Polk, a
deserted government post. Captain White remained to care for the stock while the
balance crossed the Cascade mountains on snow shoes to Linn county. In a short
time they returned with other settlers and began to establish themselves in this
county. During the summer of 1868, the Indians burned the house of Mr. Claypool.
It was the headquarters for all the old settlers and their blankets and
provisions were there. The fire consumed everything and the men were obliged to,
make their way to Warm Springs station without any food. However, they were not
to be deterred by such things as this and came back again with supplies the
distance being something over fifty miles. The house was rebuilt, other houses
were erected and the country began to be opened. Mr. Claypool took the first
homestead in what is now Crook county and had the first house built in the
county. He was very prominently connected with early settlers of the country and
was a broad-minded and sturdy pioneer. He married Louisa Elkins. who was born in
Belmont county, Ohio, February 2, 1835. She crossed the plains from Ohio with
her people in 1852. Our subject came with his father to Crook county in 1868,
being then but ten years of age. He had secured some education in the Willamette
valley,and finished that important part of life's training here in this county.
In 1874 he came to his present location with a bunch of cattle and when he
became of age. he went into the cattle business for himself. His present home
place has been his headquarters since 1879 and during that time he has been
farming and stock raising. He owns five hundred and twenty acres of land and
some considerable stock.
     In 1892 Mr. Claypool married Helen Douthit, who was born in Linn county,
Oregon, on May 12, 1867, and came to Crook county in 1883. Her parents. James 0.
and Louisa J. (Thompson) Douthit, were born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and
Missouri, respectively, and crossed the plains with horses and ox teams in 1853.
To Mr. and Mrs. Claypool four children have been born, Roscoe D., Thurman D.,
Luther E., and Winfield W.
    Mr. Claypool is a member of the W. W. and the A. 0. U. W. He takes a lively
interest in politics and school matters arid is a good substantial citizen.  


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.