Clawson, Smith T. – 1869-1941

CLAWSON, MCCARTHY, PULCIVER, TOOKER

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:29

S. Clawson Dies Today
Local Resident Pioneered In Bicycle, Auto, Radio Businesses
Smith T. Clawson, 71-year-old pioneer in the bicycle, automobile and radio foelds, died this morning at 7:15 o’clock at the Skiff Memorial hospital of a heart ailment.
He had been in failing health the past year but his condition became serious about two weeks ago. He entered the hospital Thursday of this week.
Short funeral services are to be conducted Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the Toland Funeral home.
Bought Fords
A pioneer in many fields, Mr. Clawson received the first two Ford cars run over Henry Ford’s platform and Mr. Ford himself drove the cars to Lansing, Mich., where Mr. Clawson was in business at the time.
He was born in New York City, Oct. 8, 1869, the son of Hibbert S. and Sarah E. Tooker Clawson. At the age of 7 years he came with his parents to Lansing, Mich., where he grew to manhood and entered the bicycle business, the first shop of its kind in Lansing.
Branching from this business to that of selling cars, he made a successful start in his business career.
To Oskaloosa
After accepting an offer of Don McClure at Oskaloosa, he was associated with that garage for some time and then was in Des Moines several years with Ross Clemons and later with the Brown-Corley company.
In about 1916 the latter company sent him to Newton to open the Overland agency. This was located at the present site of the Montgomery and Ward store. A few years later, he bought a vulcanizing tire shop west of the Churchill Hotel.
In 1922 he bought the building now housing Bane’s Sandwich Shop and established Clawson’s Tire and Radio shop. This shop was the first in Newton to sell and service radios. Later he added oil burners to his stock.
Operates Station
Continuing in business until eight years ago, he traded the shop for equity in a farm located six miles west of Newton Highway No. 6 where he had been operating a service station.
Josephine McCarthy became his wife in 1905 and throughout the years she has been a “partner” in his businesses. They had no children.
Surviving are his wife and a sister, Mrs. Fred R. Pulciver of Lansing, Mich., and a half-brother, Clifford Clawson, also of Lansing.
Source: Newton Daily News; Saturday, March 1, 1941, page 1

Clawson Rites Held Saturday
Funeral services for Smith T. Clawson, 71, who died Saturday morning at the Skiff Memorial hospital, were conducted Sunday afternoon at the Toland Funeral home by Dr. L. B. Logan.
M. J. Miles, accompanied by Mrs. Sayer Miles, sang “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Will There Be Many Stars in My Crown.”
The body is being taken today to Lansing, Mich., for burial.
Mr. Clawson was a pioneer in the bicycle, automobile and radio field. He came to Newton in 1916. At the time of his death he was operating a service station six miles west on Highway No. 6.
Surviving are his wife of Newton, a sister and a half-brother of Lansing, Mich.
Source: Newton Daily News; Monday, March 3, 1941