Brother Carroll F. Clapp was a descendant from old Puritan stock, being of the eighth generation from Thomas Clapp, who emigrated to America from England in 1633 and settled at Dorchester, Mass. His father, Ichabod Clapp, went from Connecticut to Ohio in 1819 and located upon a farm in Ashtabula County, Ohio. Here Carroll F. Clapp was born February 22, 1847 and was married to Augusta Morgan.
His education was secured in the county schools and in the old Western Reserve and Orwell Academies. In 1878, after having taught school for a number of years, he located in Warren, Ohio. He opened the first real estate office in that city, and later added insurance to his business, being known for many years as the leading insurance man in that vicinity. He became interested in many local enterprises and his strict integrity and friendly manner brought well-deserved success in everything he undertook.
Outside of his home life his Masonic affiliations were the closest to his heart and he took the greatest interest in all activities connected with the Order.
He was made a Mason in Harts Grove Lodge No. 397, at Harts Grove, Ashtabula County, Ohio, March 26, 1875, demitting on December 26, 1879. He affiliated with Old Erie Lodge No.3, Warren, Ohio, January 27, 1880, with which he has since retained his membership. After becoming a member of Old Erie Lodge he soon entered upon an official career which eventually led him to the highest office in the gift of the Grand Lodge. His Masonic honors, however, were not obtained without a corresponding amount of hard work. For nearly a quarter of a century he was an active worker in the various branches of the Order. For four years he served as Lecturer of what was then the First Lecture District of Ohio. He received his first appointive office in the Grand Lodge in 1888, and in 1890 was elected Junior Grand Warden, and by regular promotion was elected M. W. Grand Master in 1894. He was unanimously re-elected in 1895 but refused to accept a second term, thereby establishing the precedent of a one-year term, which has since been followed by the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Brother Clapp was a constant attendant upon the Grand Lodge Communications and served on various committees.
He received the Capitular Degrees in Mahoning Chapter No. 66, R. A. M., Warren, Ohio, in 1885, and the Cryptic Degrees in Warren Council No. 58, January 6, 1888.
He was created a Knight Templar and Knight of Malta Commandery No. 39, K. T., May 8, 1885, and after filling subordinate offices in said Commandery was elected and Eminent Commander in 1893 and again in 1894.
He was elected Grand Warder of the Grand Commandery K. T. of Ohio, October 15, 1896, and by regular promotion became Grand Commander in 1904.
He received the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in the Valley of Cleveland in I892, and was crowned an Honorary 33rd, at Philadelphia, Pa., and September 19, 1889.
He served continuously as a Trustee of the Ohio Masonic Home since his appointment October 10, 1906, and was Second Vice-President of the Board at the time of his death.
He served continuously as a Trustee of the Ohio Masonic Home since his appointment October 10, 1906, and was Second Vice-President of the Board at the time of his death.
He was a life member of Al Koran Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Cleveland, Ohio, of the National Masonic Research Society of the Ohio and of the Ohio Masonic Veteran Association. He was a charter member of the Masonic Club of Warren, and for years President Masonic Temple Company.
Brother Clapp was of a kindly disposition and always considerate of the rights of others. His quiet, friendly manner won him a host of friends.
Following an illness of just three days M. W. Brother Clapp died at Cleveland, Ohio, May 14, 1922. His remains were conveyed to his home at Warren, Ohio, where funeral services were held Wednesday, May 17, 1922 under the auspices of Old Erie Lodge No. 3 and Carroll F. Clapp Lodge No. 655. They were then taken to their last resting-place in a, Private Mausoleum, Section 7, in beautiful Oakwood Cemetery, Warren Ohio, under an escort from Warren Commandery No. 39, K. T.