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Resident for 72 years
In 1872, at the age of 14, Clawson traveled from his home in Salt Lake
with an uncle and aunt, the late Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Rhoads, who came
across the plains and the mountains in a covered wagon (a 38 day trip
then) to join the other Rhoads brothers, Henry and Dan near the
settlement of Lemoore. Their destination and the dwelling in which
Clawson spent his first months in this region was the adobe home of
"Uncle Dan" Rhoads located on what is now the C.V. Buckner ranch.
After working for other farmers in this section until 1880, he went
into farming for himself, and has operated extensively ever since. He
was a pioneer in the Tulare Lake region, where he has bought and sold
several thousand acres. He did a lot of levee building in that area,
and operated the first combined harvester ever used in Traver (the now
extinct town).
He farmed on the John Heinlen holdings west of Lemoore in 1881. As the lake waters receded on the Heinlen acreage, young Clawson proceeded, and each year he farmed a more extensive area. He was well on his way to backing the lake down into its basin when the flood waters of 1884 drowned (Continued on Page Eight) (Continued from Page One) out a good crop at the Italian Swiss colony southwest of Lemoore, and he lost three sections.
Clawson maintained an active interest in ranching throughout his years, and until his recent illness, took part in the operation of two Stratford ranches, as well as participating in the operation of the home place.
Other Interests
In 1886 Clawson was an active member of the first baseball team to be
officially organized in the county. He participated in the building of
the first flour mill in this city. The mill, then a local major
industry was built by Sam Biddle and I.H. Ham of Tulare. It stood
just east of the Lemoore Avenue intersection of the railroad tracks.
Kiwanis Member
He was an active member of the Kiwanis Club in this city and was the
guest of honor at a birthday fete given by the service clubmen last
November when he observed his 86th natal day.
Surviving relatives includes his wife, Mrs. Alice G. Clawson of this city, three sons, Leo B. Clawson of Stratford, Jack Clawson of Pasadena, Dr. Albert Clawson of San Luis Obispo; a daughter, Miss Alice Clawson, member of the faculty of Lemoore High School, several grandchildren and great grand-children.
Reverend L.V. Fletcher, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiated at the final rites. Pallbearers were Lyman D. Farmer, R.J. Esrey, G.B. Chinn, Dr. W.B. Cobb, Andrew Kurtz and J.C. Poindexter.
Interment was made in the Grangeville Cemetery under the direction of the Phipps Mortuary.