Biographical Sketch of

Lester Clawson

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 812 - 813 - 814


Lester Clawson, a retired merchant and one of the leading citizens of Dartford, Wis., has been identified with 
the history of Green Lake County for many years, and until his retirement was numbered among its most enterprising 
and prominent business men.  He is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in Milan, Erie County, on the 
24th of February, 1841.  The family is of Dutch origin, the paternal great-grand-father of our subject having 
emigrated from Holland to America many years ago.  He settled in Virginia, and there passed the remainder of his 
life.  In that State, Garrett Clawson, the grandfather of Lester, was born.  When he grew to manhood he married 
Margaret Fry, who was also a native of that State.  They moved to Tompkins County, in the State of New York, where 
John G. Clawson, the father of the subject of this notice, was born July 13, 1808.  John G. wedded Miss Clarissa 
Gleason, who was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1812.  In 1833 they emigrated to Ohio, and located in 
Erie County, but subsequently removed to Huron County, in the same State, Mr. Clawson engaging in his business 
as a ship contractor and builder, both in Milan and Sandusky.  He afterwards followed the same line of work in 
Detroit, Mich.  He spent his declining years in Huron County, Ohio, upon his farm, where he died Feb. 14, 1871.  
His widow still survives him, and is a well-preserved lady for one of her age.  She is an active member of the 
Baptist Church, and is greatly esteemed for her many excellent qualities.  Of the nine children, six sons and 
three daughters born to that worthy couple, all lived to mature years, and four of the sons, G. B., Andrew W., 
A. Augustus and Lester, defended the Union cause during the late war.
 
Our subject received his primary education in the public schools, which was supplemented by an attendance of two 
terms in the Western Reserve Normal School of Ohio.  When only thirteen years of age, he left home to begin life 
for himself.  He worked as a farm hand and with his wages paid his tuition in the normal school above mentioned.  
On his return home, he again hired out as a farm hand in 1861, when he came to Green Lake County, Wis., and worked 
among the farmers in the neighborhood until December, 1863, when he enlisted in the 12th Wisconsin Battery.  He 
had desired to enter the service before that time.  As a draft had been executed in the neighborhood, he would 
not enlist lest it should be said that he joined in order to keep from being drafted.  His battery joined Sherman 
at Huntsville, and continued under his command until the close of the war.  During the entire time he was never in 
the hospital only about twenty days.  He participated in the battles of Altoona, Eden Station, the siege of Savannah, 
Congeree Creek and Bentonville, N. C., and was never wounded or taken prisoner, though he had several narrow escapes.  
Much of the time he held the office of corporal, performing the duties of sergeant.  His health was shattered in the 
war, and from the effects of the hardships and exposure he has never recovered, yet he has never sought or desired 
a pension, as he gave his services for love of his country and its cause, and not for the bounty received.  He was 
discharged at Madison June 26, 1865, and then returned home.
 
Immediately after his arrival Mr. Clawson resumed farming, which he continued until 1868, when he embarked in mercantile 
pursuits, under the name of Thomas & Clawson, but soon afterwards sold out to his partner, and formed a partnership with 
M. W. Brooks, which connection continued for about three years.  When it was dissolved, while settling up the business, 
he clerked for T. J. Clute, and then opened a store on his own account.  From that time until 1884, he was alone in business, 
when he admitted to partnership E. P. Lock.  Fair and honest in all dealings, courteous and affable in manner, and carrying 
the best grade of goods, he won the confidence of all and secured a liberal patronage.  From the beginning his trade 
constantly increased, and in 1887 he retired from active business life after a successful career.  He, however, yet owns 
140 acres of land, besides other business interests.
 
On the 30th of March, 1866, Mr. Clawson married Miss Lucina M. Brooks, daughter of M. W. and Susan Brooks.  She was born 
in Oswego County, N. Y., in 1847, and died April 25, 1869, in full fellowship with the Congregational Church.  The second 
marriage of Mr. Clawson occurred Oct. 8, 1870, when Addie E., daughter of John H. and Eliza A. Brooks, became his wife.  
She was born Oct. 11, 1845, in Winhall, Vt., and they have two children--Flory L., born Dec. 17, 1876, and Arthur, June 
18, 1878.
 
Mr. Clawson is a stanch advocate of the Republican party, but though often solicited to do so, has steadily refused to 
accept public office until a short time since, when he was elected Treasurer of the town of Brooklyn.  He is a chapter 
Mason and also a charter member of Harry Randall Post, No. 202, of whom he was the first commander.  He also held the 
commission of aide-de-camp of the department of Wisconsin.
 
John H. Brooks, the efficient Postmaster of Dartford, and the father of Mrs. Clawson, was born in Winhall Township, 
Bennington Co., Vt., Jan. 12, 1814.  He received but limited educational advantages, acquiring his knowledge of the 
rudimentary studies in the district schools.  As he was the oldest son of a large family, he was forced to support 
himself as soon as he had attained a sufficient age, and to that end learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked 
several years, teaching school during the winter season.  In 1836 we find him en route for the West, with a view of 
bettering his financial condition.  He first located in Illinois, where he engaged in teaching school and farming, 
when the chills, of which he was a victim, would permit of his labor.  For three years he remained in Illinois, and 
then returned to Vermont to recover his health, if possible.  He obtained a position in a store as salesman, and 
while thus employed was united in marriage, Nov. 6, 1844, with Miss Eliza A. Totten, a native of Rhode Island.  The 
following year he removed with his bride to Oswego County, N. Y., where he was employed as a salesman until 1854, at 
which time he came to Green Lake County, making his home with an uncle, M. Hale, of Dartford, with whom he formed a 
partnership in the mercantile business.  He also owned an interest in the old mill at that place, and was very 
successful in both lines of business.  Some two years later, however, he sold out his store and turned his attention 
to farming, which he followed until April, 1861, when he received the appointment of Postmaster of Dartford, a position 
which he has held continuously since, covering a period of twenty-eight years.  When he entered the office only three 
mails were received weekly, but now eighteen mails are received each week.  Mr. Brooks has also held the office of 
Township Clerk for some twenty five years, and has served as Justice of the Peace for twenty-eight years.  For a number 
of terms he was Chairman of the Township and also President of the village of Dartford.  His long continued service in 
official positions is the highest testimonial of his ability and faithfulness to duty which could be given.  He cast 
his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, continuing to support the Whig party until the organization 
of the Republican party, of which he has since been a stanch advocate.  Socially, he is a Mason, belonging to Green 
Lake Lodge, of which he has been a member twenty-six years.  His wife is a communicant of the Congregational Church, 
and both are held in high esteem by all.  They have seven children, but two died in childhood.  The living are Ada, 
who is now the wife of L. Clawson and the mother of two children; Angie, wife of H. W. Gilbert; Anna married George 
C. Harding and has two children; Roccina, wife of J. R. Parker, has two children, and Flora R. completes the family.
 





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