Biographical Sketch
A Memorial and Biographical History of Ellis County
The Lewis Publishing Company
1892
John P. Claunch of Ellis County, was born in Harrison County, Texas, March 28, 1847, son of William M. & Jane C (Gilmore) Claunch, both were natives of Tennessee. Before marriage, the father taught school, and aftewards was engaged in farming & stock raising. He came to Texas about 1846, & in 1854 settled in Dallas County. In 1855 he moved to Ellis Co. In the fall of 1872 removed to the old homestead, where he reamined until his death, Feb 22, 1888. His first wife was the daughter of J. P. Gilmore of Tennessee, who came to Ellis County about 1846 where he engaged in farming & stock raising. He subsequently moved to Johnson County, where he died in 1869. Mr. & Mrs. Claunch had 7 children, vis., Mary E., who married W. Claunch, a distant relative, & both are now deceased. John P., our subject, Christopher C., a farmer of Ellis County. Harriet A., the wife of J. A. Steart. Marth J., who married E. S. Hamilton, & died in Cleburne (Johnson Co.) in 1888. Wm. A. was deceased Nov. 15, 1879 at the age of 23, & Susanah, wife of T. J. Davis. The mother died & the father was married in 1868 to Mrs. Cummings, wido who still lives at the old homestead. By this marriage there were three children; two of whom survive, Jeremiah C. & Nancy A, both of home.
John P. came to Ellis County at the age of 8 years, & located where he now lives. After gaining his majority, he rented land & also for about 5 years followed stock raising on his own account & for others. In 1870 he took a drove of horses to Louisianna for market & also made another trip in 1872. He received a portion of his father's estate, which amount to 90 acres, & since then has bought the interest of the other heirs & other lands. Up to now he owns 748 acres of which 150 acres are under a fine state of cultivation, & he is also engaged in stock raising. At the age of 18 year, Mr. Claunch enlisted in a California regiment, called the Arizona Brigade. He served until the close of the war. His services were mostly on the border of Texas, & at the time of the surrender, the regiment disbanded and returned home.
He was married to Miss Lucinda R. Morton, daughter of Joel & Sarah R. Morton, natives of Alabama. The father died while in the service of the Confederacy, in 1863 & his wife married J. A. Higgins. Mr. & Mrs. Claunch have had five children; Evalena, born Nov. 5, 1879; Wm. A. born Sept. 10, 1882; Harriett L. born Dec. 29, 1883; Sarah M. born Aug. 9, 1886; & John P. born Nov. 9, 1889. Mr Claunch has served as school trustee, & also as Justice of the Peace two terms. He is a member of the alliance & both he & his wife are members of the Methodist Church.
pp 259-260
https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth33018/m1/259/?q=claunch
