Colonel William Hugh Clopton of Missouri

A direct descendant of William Clopton, Gentleman and Ann (Booth) Dennett Clopton, Colonel William Hugh Clopton was the son of William Hickman Clopton and Belle Bryan. He was born December 13, 1878 in Missouri. He married Margaret Agnes Corcoran of Lynn, Massachusetts on October 11, 1905. They had three children: William Malvern Clopton, Margaret Katherine Clopton Donahue, and Edward Bryan Clopton.

After attending Culver Military Academy, he first served as a Sergeant in the Missouri Infantry, and, on the fast track, 1st Lt. Of Volunteers in 1898, more than a year before he could vote. After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Volunteer Army, he began his career in the US Regular Army Infantry and after achieving the rank of Captain, graduated from Mounted Service School in 1912. On November 1, 1915, horse soldier Captain Clopton was detailed to the newly organized Quartermaster Corps. The new Corps needed additional officers due to the great build up of Regular Army and National Guard forces on the Mexican border. The situation created major logistics problems.

Meanwhile, war in Europe had broken out in August 1914. In response, the size of the Regular Army doubled by June 1916. Thus, what may have initially been a temporary assignment to the Quartermaster Corps, assumed permanent status for Captain Clopton. This expansion and the United States' entry into World War I in 1917, meant rapid promotion, and he rose to the rank of Colonel in Tank Corps, National Army by June 20, 1918. He continued to serve his country until his retirement in 1929.

Based on:

An Article Originally Appearing in the December 1992 Issue of the
of The Clopton Family Newsletter
Written by Franklin G. Babbitt