Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 591–592; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Charles L. Clayton is a wide-awake young man of this county, now
actively connected with its business interests as a manufacturer of
cigars in Canton, belonging to the firm of C. L. Clayton &
Co. He was born in the northern part of this county near
Farmington, September 21, 1859, the second son of Ezekiel and Phoebe
(Randolph) Clayton, who came from Newark, N. J., they being natives of
that State. They were among the pioneers of this county, and took
part in its agricultural development. When Charles was eight
years of age his parents removed to canton from their farm, and his
father was prosperously engaged un the meat business here several
years. He died in 1880, and his death removed from the community
one of its good and valued citizens. His wife and eight children
survived him. He had two sons and six daughters of whom the
following is recorded: Lottie, is the wife of George Mahaffey, of
Farmington Township; Isaac R. is a farmer in Nebraska; Hannah is the
wife of I. V. Dean, of Canton Alice was a teacher and died in 1886;
Alvira S., is the wife of Dr. Sutton, of Canton; Orpha and Emma are at
home with their mother.
Charles L. Clayton was educated in the Canton schools, and
subsequently worked on a farm for several years. He then came to
Canton and worked for W. O. Dean in the cigar business and was with him
eight years. He then embarked in the business on his own account
in the sprung of 1889, associating himself with J. R. May. Their
establishment is on South Main Street and it is well fitted up with all
the best appliances for the manufacture of cigars, of which they make a
superior article. They employ eight hands, and have orders as
fast as they can fill them.
In 1884 Mr. Clayton and Miss Lillie Keeling, daughter of Haden
and Catherine Keeling, were united in marriage. One son has come
of their happy wedded life, whom they have named Frederick
Keeling. Mr. Clayton interests himself in the public life of
Cantons, in which he has borne an honorable part, serving as Alderman
of the Second Ward one term. Socially he is a member of the
Knights of Pythias. The home of himself and his wife at No. 209
West Adelpha Street is the abode of a pleasant hospitality and their
many friends often find a cordial welcome beneath its root.
