Martin Benjamin Clear (1938)

CLEAR, CLEMONS, JOHNSON, KITZEROW, WEBB

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 6/2/2007 at 17:52:28

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, November 9, 1938

BEN CLEAR FOUND DEAD ON SATURDAY

Shotgun Charge Through Brest Kills Madison Township Farmer

Ben Clear, Madison township farmer living on highway No. 169 near North branch, was found shot to death late Saturday afternoon in the timber near his home.

The body was found by Mr. Clear's youngest son, who was attracted to the spot by the howling of a dog. The dog had accompanied Mr. Clear when he left the house about 4 p.m. after telling his family that he was going squirrel hunting.

The body was found with a shotgun charge fired through the heart. After an investigation by County Coroner J. F. Veltman, the death was pronounced a suicide. Mr. Clear had been in rapidly failing health for some time. He was 60 years of age.

Martin Benjamin Clear was a native of Madison county, and spent most of his life here. He was born Sept. 18, 1878, and spent his life farming in this county and for a number of years in Minnesota.

He was married Sept. 5, 1898 to Leanna Webb. They were the parents of six children, three of whom, Henry, Guy and Mable, preceded their father in death.

He is survived by his wife; the son at home, Claude; a son, Earl, of Armsby, Minn.; and a daughter, Mrs. Carrie Kitzerow of Fairmont, Minn. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Kate Clemons and Mrs. Henry Johnson of Truman, Minn.; and two brothers, John of Granada, Minn.; and Frank of Linton, Ind.

Funeral services were held Monday from the Tidrick funeral home in Winterset in charge of the Rev. Mr. Hann of Van Meter. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.
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Coordinator's note: Full name taken from his Iowa Death Certificate.

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