Ernest A. Clapp, 1846-1931
American Series of Popular Biographies. Massachusetts Edition. Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Boston: Graves & Steinbarger, 1891)
Ernest A. Clapp, who during the larger part of his active life has been identified with the building interests of Dorchester, Mass., was born in that city, on Clapp Place, July 15, 1846, a son of Alfred Clapp.
Alfred Clapp, also a lifelong resident of Dorchester, was born on the old Clapp homestead on Pond Street in 1819, and during his boyhood years there worked in his father’s tanyard. He subsequently served an apprenticeship at the cabinet-maker’s trade, at which he worked for a time as a journeyman, and, with the exception of a few years, followed until his retirement from business, at the good old age of seventy-five years. He passed away April 29, 1896, aged seventy-seven years and twenty days. For fully fifty years he was a member of the old Dorchester fire department, serving faithfully for twenty years of that time as engineer. He was held in high respect as a man and citizen, and was a regular attendant of the old Meeting-house Hill Church. His wife, Elinor M. Was a daughter of Zachariah and Charlotte Cain. Her father, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, was born in Taunton, Mass., while her mother was a native of Wiscasset, Me. Four children were born of their union, namely: Miss Charlotte Eliza Chapman; Ernest A., the subject of this sketch; Eugene, born in 1848, who died in infancy; and Richard Dexter, born in 1853, who is now a machinist in Providence, R.I. The mother died February 13, 1887, at the age of sixty-six years.
Ernest A. Clapp received a practical education in the public schools of Dorchester, and during a few years of his earlier life was employed as a clerk in a dry-goods store. Since learning the carpenter’s trade, he has followed it continuously, his ability as a skilled and thorough workman having assured his success as a builder. During the Civil War Mr. Clapp served in Company F, Fifth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He belongs to the G.A.R.,* and also belongs to the A.O.U.W.** He is a Republican in his political affiliations, and is a member of the Universalist church.
Mr. Clapp married, October 26, 1871, Miss Eliza Ann Eveleth, who was born in Boston, Mass., a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Stevens) Eveleth. Mrs. Clapp’s father was born and reared in New Hampshire, and her mother in Biddeford, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Clapp have two children–Mary Elinor and Ernest Eveleth.
*G.A.R. Grand Army of the Republic
**A.O.U.W. Ancient Order of United Workmen.