Climpson L. LaFollette
The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was a native of France. When a young man he came to America and settled in this state about the year 1800, about two years before this portion of the country was admitted to the Union. At that time the state was practically a wilderness and the Indians were here in large numbers and were still fierce from their participation in the Revolution on the side of the British. Isaac LaFollette, the French emigrant in question, secured a tract of government land in what is now Perry county and began to clear off the timber. More than once he and his good wife, Libby Secrist, were in imminent peril from the savages and for many years after taking up their abode here they endured the hardships and privations of the early pioneers. Wild animals were frequently met with and no little danger was encountered from some of them, particularly in the night time, but rapidly advancing civilization in time disposed of such annoyances and Isaac lived to see a better day dawn for his children. He was the father of John LaFollette. who was born on the homestead in Perry county, and John was the father of the immediate subject, who was born on July 26, 1865, in Brown township, Vinton county. The subject's mother was Martha Craig, a native of that vicinity. C. L. LaFollette, who resides on his farm of thirty acres on the Danville pike, about one mile and a half from Bloomingburg, was one of a family of six children, being the second child of the family. W. E., the oldest, lives in Madison township, this county, while Robert and Hugh are both residents of Paint township. Eliza, the only daughter of the family, is the wife of Doctor Murphy and resides in Vinton county, while Charles, the youngest of the family, is dead.
C. L. LaFollette in his early boyhood attended the schools of Delaware county, later attending those of Vinton county, where he finished his school days. When quite a young boy he began assisting with the work of the farm and early knew the meaning of hard work. At the age of twenty years he began life on his own resources, coming to Fayette county where he hired out among various farmers, receiving eighteen dollars per month for his services. After a few years passed in this manner, he purchased the farm which is his present home and where he has made all of the improvements. Mr. Lafollette has been twice married. His first wife was Nettie Dunlap, with whom he was joined in holy wedlock on February 6, 1889, and who was called to the higher life in 1901. She was an excellent woman, much liked and admired by friends and neighbors. She was a devout member of the United Brethren church, being active in the work of her local organization, and she was buried in Vinton county, near her home. She was the mother of two children, Blanche and Howard, who married Blanche Reynolds. Mr. LaFollette was wedded the second time on March 20, 1902, to Ellen Dunlap. Younger sister of his first wife, this marriage being without issue. Mr. LaFollette is a man who has worked hard, who possesses a commendable degree of energy and ambition and is well deserving of the success he has attained. He gives particular attention to the raising of live stock, which he finds a most lucrative line of business and in which he is highly successful.
While not a member of any church society, Mr. LaFollette is interested in the work of all and contributes to the best of his ability from time to time to various deserving benevolences. Politically, he is a stalwart Republican, although not devoting much time to public issues. However, for seven years he has been a member of the school board of Paint township and in this and other ways shows the keen interest he feels in the educational and other phases of community life. Mr. LaFollette has a host of warm frientls in all walks of life, which is ample testimony as to the value of his citizenship and the usefulness of his life.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)