FOURTH GENERATION

47. *Joseph Haynes Clawson was born on Apr 19 1849 in Warren County, Indiana. He appeared on the census in 1850 in Warren County, Indiana. In the 1850 Census for Warren County, Indiana Joseph H. is shown at the age of 1. Other Clawsons listed on the same page are:
Timothy, age 44, a farmer born in Ohio, and Nancy age 26.
It shows the following, all born in Indiana:
Garret age 22, a farmer
Thomas age 19, a farmer
Timothy at 16, a farmer
Abraham age 14,
Rhanyrus (which must be Phineas) age 5
Cyntha, age 5
Joseph H, age 1
He appeared on the census in 1885 in Columbus, KA. The Joseph Haynes Clawson family is listed in the 1885 Census for Columbus Kansas as follows:
Joseph H, age 31, farmer
Marinda Clawson, age 29, houskeeper
Arthur Clawson, age 10
William Roy Clawson, age 6
Willard Clawson, age 4
Child not named, age3
He was listed in the book, The 1904 History of Cherokee County Kansas, Chp V, in 1888 in Cherokee Co., Kansas.⁽³⁾ He is mentioned in the "History of Cherokee County Kansas, 1904" as follows:

MEMORABLE POLITICAL RALLIES
In the fall of 1888 some of the greatest political rallies ever known were held at Columbus. The first was on the 22nd day of September, following the meeting of the Democratic County Convention. The convention met at the Opera House at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, and was called to order by R. A. Long, chairman of the county central committee. R. M. Chesire, mayor of Columbus, was chosen temporary chairman of the convention, and J.H. Clawson was chosen secretary. After the chairman had appointed the usual committees, the convention adjourned until 1:30 in the afternoon.

This history can be found on the internet, located at:
http://www.skyways.org/genweb/archives/cherokee/1904c.html

He was mentioned in the 1904 History of Cherokee County Kansas, Chp VIII - Newspapers, in 1888 in Cherokee Co., Kansas.⁽⁴⁾ He is mentioned in the "History of Cherokee County Kansas, 1904" as follows:

"The Border Star was established in the fall of 1881, by R.T. Ballard; but after about two months it passed into the hands of H.C. Jones and L.E. Albright. in 1882 Mr. Jones became the sole owner. Some time after that the paper was consolidated with the Columbus Courier, when the new periodical was known as the Columbus Star-Courier. There is no information at hand as to the changes of ownership, for the time from March 1882 to February 1888, when James Wilson sold the paper to J.H. Clawson and W.P. Eddy. In October of 1888, Mr. Clawson sold his interest to N.T. Allison. "
He died on Apr 3 1925 in Holdenville, OK. He is described in an obituary as follows: on Apr 9 1925 in Holdenville, OK.⁽⁵⁾ .

HUGHES COUNTY TRIBUNE, HOLDENVILLE, OKLAHOMA
Thursday, April 9, 1925

JOSEPH HAYNES CLAWSON

"Life's race well run,
Life's work well done,
Life's crown well won,
Now comes rest".

Friday Morning, last, the Tribune's presses were silent, for Joseph Haynes Clawson, the paper's founder, and chief, had passed behind the alabaster veil. The end came suddenly and without warning. No suffering marked his final moments of earthly life. Having partaken of a light breakfast, Mr. Clawson sat reclining in his chair when he was stricken with an attack of heart failure, and thus his career of school teacher, soldier, merchant and editor came to a close.

Exactly three quarters of a century ago the 19th day of April last, Joseph Haynes Clawson was born in Warren County, Indiana where he spent his childhood 'mid the sycamores and candle lights of the Hoosier state. For several years during his young manhood Mr. Clawson taught school. Later he served in the United States army as an enlisted soldier, following which he was engaged in the mercantile business. Then came the call of what was then known as the West, and in February 1901, following several years residence in Kansas, where he taught school and later founded the Modern Light of Columbus, Kansas, the only Democratic newspaper of Cherokee County. Afterwards he moved to Chelsea, I.___ where he established the Chelsea Reporter, and today these two newspapers are among the most important newspapers of their particular section.

He moved to Holdenville during February 1901 and founded the Tribune, the first issue of the paper being dated march 1, 1901, and continued to edit and publish this paper for several years when he disposed of it. Later, in 1913, the deceased and his son, W. R. Clawson again acquired ownership of the Tribune, and thus, for thirty-five years, almost continuously, Mr. Clawson was actively engaged in the publishing business.

Mr. Clawson left surviving him his wife, Esther Ann Clawson, and his six sons; Gilbert A. Clawson, who resides at Venice, Calif., Joseph W. Clawson, residing in St. Louis, Mo., and Don D. and W. R. Clawson, L. L. Clawson and Dewey E. Clawson , all of Holdenville. The three latter sons have been actively connected with the Tribune staff for many years. W. R. Clawson being in partnership with his father. All of the deceased's sons are engaged in the newspaper, printing or publishing business.

The deceased was a member of all the Masonic orders, save and except the Shrine, and not over a month ago expressed the wish that he might live to attend the first meeting of his order to be held in the new Masonic Temple in Holdenville, now under construction. He was one of the leaders in the movement to erect the temple.

Mr. Clawson's wisdom and unfailing energy helped shape the destiny of the public school system in this city, as he served for several years on the school board and worked tirelessly for the new high school. He was public spirited, generous, charitable, and numbered his friends by his acquaintances.

Mr. Clawson adhered to the Christian Science faith.

Funeral services for the departed were conducted at the Baptist church Sunday afternoon. Mr. Bailey, reader of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Oklahoma City, read the ceremony, which was attended by hundreds of people, many of whom were unable to crowd into the church edifice. Following the church services the Masonic lodge assumed charge of the further services at the Holdenville cemetery. The cortage, which followed all that was mortal of the deceased to the cemetary, was the largest that has been seen in Holdenville for many years. Floral offerings bespeaking the sympathy of the deceased's earthly friends literally banked the chancel of the church.

Mr. Clawson's death marked the passing of an upright and useful citizen. He harbored malice toward no man. Idle gossip never crossed his lips. His time, his energy and his means were dedicated to helping making better men and his community and state a better place. G. ARTHUR HOLLOWAY.


ONE WHO SERVED

The world at large will little note the passing of J.H. Clawson of the Hughes County tribune, who died at his desk in Holdenville last Friday. But within Hughes County, where Mr. Clawson lived and labored for a quarter century, there is genuine regret that he is gone. It was in Hughes County that his best work was done, it was there he built up one of he best weekly newspapers in Oklahoma, and it was there that he lent aid in advancing every cause that sought to make his people more prosperous and happy. Too often a busy people fail to realize the effective service rendered by the so-called small-town editor, who is working for the common good while the majority are interested only in their private affairs. J. H. Clawson was working for Holdenville and Hughes county through many long and trying years and both town and county are all the better for his life and labors - Luther Harrison in Tuesday's Daily Oklahoma.

TRIBUTE TO J. H. CLAWSON

The passing of Joseph H. Clawson recalls an acquaintance of more than twenty years. It was our good fortune to have associated with im much in early times as well as later. We drove over Hughes County some eighteen years ago together. He was one of the best men I ever met, had such an even temper, always looking at the better side of everything. No guile was ever found in his mouth. So thoroughly honest, he was always prone to give the other fellow the best of everything. He was always ready to help the other fellow. TRUTH was his watchword. He was always trying to pull some body up and nobody down. Holdenville has just cause to morn his passing. His hope for the future was ever present with him and we feel he is now enjoying the reward of the faithful. ED ARNOLD



Joseph H. owned the Hughes County Tribune newspaper in Holdenville Oklahoma from 1907 until he died in 1925. After his death the paper was run by three of his sons, William Roy, Lewis Lloyd, and Eugene Dewey until 1933. Several years of this paper are available on microfilm by contacting the Oklahoma Historical Society in Lincoln OKC, Ok. The web site for this is: http://www.ok-history.mus.ok.us/arch/newsarch.htm

In a verbal history from Joseph's grandson, Joseph L. Clawson Sr, he states that Joseph H. was captured by the Sue Indian's at the age of 17 years. He was held captive for two years before making his escape.

Some time after all his six children had been born, he moved to Oklahoma, on the "Cherokee Strip", and later opened the Hughes County Tribune.

He was married to Martha Malinda Maria "Rindie" Benson (daughter of William Martindale Benson and Prudence M. Slauter) on Sep 22 1873 in Warren County, Indiana. Martha Malinda Maria "Rindie" Benson was born on Dec 14 1854 in Warren County, Indiana. She died on Aug 2 1900 in Howe, Indian Territory, OK. She was buried in Howe, Oklahoma. *Joseph Haynes Clawson and Martha Malinda Maria "Rindie" Benson had the following children:

70 i. Gilbert "Art" Clawson was born on Aug 26 1874 in Warren County, Indiana.
+71 ii. William Timothy "Roy" Clawson.
+72 iii. Joseph Isaac "Willard" Clawson.
+73 iv. Louis Lloyd Clawson.
74 v. Eugene Dewey Clawson was born on Feb 20 1898 in Chelsea, Indian Territoy Oklahoma.
+75 vi. *Don Dean Clawson.