Jefferson Davis Clopton and Mattie A. Mantz

Jefferson Davis Clopton married Miss Mattie A. Mantz 26 December 1888 in Livingston County, Kentucky. Silas Newton, V.D.M. [1] was the officiant at the wedding. 

Marriage Certificate of J.D. Clopton and Mattie A. Mantz  1888
Livingston County, Kentucky Clerk's Office

The first census on which they appear together was in 1900 when they were living in Smithland.[2] At that time, J.D., a druggist,  and his wife, Martha A., were the parents of two children, Clarra and Jefferson.  Also living in their home was his mother, Kattie Clopton, who was born in 1842 in Kentucky.

Jefferson Davis Clopton died 3 November 1931 at the age of 70 years, four months and 12 days. [3] His parents were Rubin Clopton, born Virginia, and Catharine Harris, born Kentucky.  According to his obituary, he had been a druggist for many years. In addition to his widow and two children, he was survived by two brothers, John Clopton of Evansville and J.A. Clopton of Smithland, as well as a sister.[4]

Martha Mantz Clopton was born 20 July 1863 Livingston County and died 13 May 1946 in Smithland. [5] Her parents were listed as William Mantz, born Kentucky and Addie Wallace, born Tennessee. Her funeral was held at the Smithland Methodist Church, where she had been a member for 68 years. She was survived by her son, J.D. Clopton, a grandson and two nephews. [6] Her daughter, Clara, died 18 September 1942 and is buried in Smithland Cemetery.[7]

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[1] Verbi Dei Minister - Latin for Preacher of God's Word.

[2] 1900 Livingston County, Kentucky census, Smithland, p. 5, E.D. 0053, J.D. Clopton family, Ancestry.com.

[3] Kentucky Death Certificate #27375 (1931), Jefferson Davis Clopton, Ancestry.com.

[4] "Smithland Druggist Called by Death," Paducah Sun-Democrat, Thurs., 5 Nov 1931.

[5] Kentucky Death Certificate #11720 (1946), Martha Mantz Clopton, Ancestry.com.

[6] Obituary for Martha Mantz Clopton, Livingston Leader, 23 May 1946.

[7] Kentucky Death Certificate #20707 (1942), Clara Watts Clopton, Ancestry.com.

Published 10 Jan 2020, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/