Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-25

Sena.ur Ciapp.
those great rugged strong men who have
made the west what it is and whose in
fluence is rapidly increasing in the political
as well as the business world.
With strong face and enormous form,
his coal black hair, tumbled and mussed,
and his keen bright eyes looking through
and through all he meets meanwhile they
twinkle with good humor, General Clapp is
a man who will attract attention wherever
he goes. Careless in dress, gaunt and I'M
graceful in his movements and his manner,
this man Of the west carries with him an
appearance of force of mind and character
that must command respect and attention
wherever he goes.
Coming, as he does, from combined Irish
and Puritan stock, General Clapp has ad-
ded to his inherited characteristics the
broad breezy manhood Of the west and
stands today a typical figure OF the best
that the west can produce. From his Puri-
tan father comes that caution and absolute
honesty which characterized the race, ana
to this has been added the wit and the
magnificent gift Of oratory Of his Irish an
cestors.
His Early Career.
Moses Edwin Vale Clapp is the son OF
Harvey s. Clapp and Abbie Jane Clapp,
his wife The Clapps migrated many years
state was on the frontier. On a farm near
Delphi, Moses was born May 25 1851.
When the boy was seven years old MS
family removed to Hudson, Wis, where
the elder Clapp entered the real estate pusi-
ness, handling farm lands throughout 81.
Croix and polk counties, at one time own
ing one of the largest ranches IN FOLK
county, and later an extensive STOCK ranch
and farm near New Richmond. Shortly al,
ter arriving at Hudson he was elected
county auditor on the republican ticket
being a firm believer in that then m1ant
party.
Young Moses, the eldest Of three sons,
gained his early education in Hudson. and
during his vacation periods labored on the
farm and on the steamboats, that then piled
the waters Of the st. Croix river. He was
an extensive reader and even In ms boy
hood days gave evidence of the fine ana
ly,ical mind that has since made him one
OF the foremost lawyers of the west.
Deciding to follow the law as profess
sion young Clapp when ne was nineteen ne cen
U1,iv ersty of Wisconsin. and three years
later graduated with high honors. The
foundations of the law had been secured
Office OF John c. Spooner, now the United
States senator from Wisconsin.
Rise In the Legal Profession.
In 1873 the single Of Moses E. Clapp,
LAWYER" first swung to the breeze in the
village Of Hudson, for the young man had
early in his career dropped the name of
Vale. believing that two given names were
as much as any young man should possess.
Hudson was a small village, but the law
business flourished, and on December ~,
1874, the young lawyer carried out the
biblical advice and took unto hlmsef
wife. The bride was Miss Hattie Allen,
daughter of one of St. Croix county's prom
iminent families.
In 1875 he was elected county attorney on
- finR af nd
on he became of the most prominent
republican Of the west. In 1879 he was a
candidate for state senator In Wisconsin,
but was defeated.
In 1851, seeking larger field for his now
matured talents, Mr.. Clapp removed to
Fergus Falls, Mimi, where he again took
up the practice Of law. Soon after his ar
rival there he was elected city attorney,
which position he held until 1885, when he
was nominated for attorney general of the
state and elected by an overwhelming ma
jority. One Of his principal opponents and
the man upon whom the machine had de-
cided was Frank 3. Kellogg, partner Of
the late Senator Davis.
So great was his popularity and his sue
cess in this Office that he was twice re-
elected, and his record was one Of which the
foremost lawyer Of the country might be
proud. Not alone satisfied with the regular
work of the office he was always at the
the state, and during the six years which
he held the Office there was not a great
criminal case or a civil case in which the
people were interested in which he did not
take an active part
Elected Senator.
Declining another nomination to the posi-
ton, Gen. Clapp established residence and
practice in ST. Paul in 1891 and has since
been a most successful practitioner. In
1894 he was a candidate for the republican
nomination for governor, but was defeated
in the convention.
With the death of Senator Davis came
the announcement of his candidacy for the
contest will probably never be seen in
Minnesota again.
Early in his career Gen. Clapp received
the name Of 1.-The Black Eagle of the North
Star State" because OF his resemblance to
| Gen. John A. Logan, and this name was
emblazoned on the banners which his ad-
herents carried to victory.
| Gen. Clapp is a most ardent home lover
| and a most devoted husband. son and
father. His unpretentious little home on
| Holly avenue is one Of the happiest In the
| delights to honor spends much Of his time
| in company with his loyal wife and his
three loving children and doting mother.
Gen. Clapp's eldest daughter, Katherine,
| has shown remarkable artistic ability. His
son, Harvey g.. Is now a prominent soph-
omore in the University Of Minnesota. The
third child is a twelve-year-old girl, Ella
Gen. Clapp is forceful orator and deep
| thinker. His ability Of working out difficult
legal problems has become proverbial in
Minnesota. and with his unusual power Of
| and rewarded. by the country when he takes
| h,s seat In the Sonata