The name of the deputy clerk was not crucial to my research, but a quick search of the 1880 census gave me his likely name–just using Wood* as a search term on the first name.  J. Woods Champion was a clerk living in Rice County, Minnesota, in 1880 and is likely the man who signed this document. The name of the clerk was not crucial to my research, but a five second search located his probable name.

Don’t spend forever on searches like these, but sometimes a quick search in other online records can turn a “can’t read” into a “can figure it out.” Just make certain that the person you think it is is a logical fit.