VILLAGE GOVERNMENT

The village of Clarence was incorporated under the general laws of the State in the early part of 1866. The first meeting of the Town Board was held on the 8th of May, 1866. The first Mayor was James DeWolf. Since then, the Mayors in succession have been as follows:

1867, James DeWolf; 1868, Norman Eldridge; 1869, M. K. Reed; 1870, J. McMillon, who served three years; 1873, Seth Sylvester; 1874, J. P. Ferguson, who served two years; 1876, Norman Eldridge; 1877, L. M. Johnson, who (1878) served a second term.

First Board of Alderman – C. M. Gilbert, E. B. Simmonds, A. W. Bloomburg, B. A. Mink and J. Stone; George McLeod, Recorder, L. H. Knapp, Treasurer; J. P. Ferguson, Marshal.

One of the first projects of the municipal government was the purchase of 8 acres north of town and laying out of the Clarence cemetery in 1868. The purchaser of any lot still gets a warranty deed from the Town.

For many years the Town cared for it. About 1900 the care was turned over to an association of women, later enlarged to include men as well. They manage to care for the grounds and invest the funds paid in.

Following the disastrous fire of January 1st, 1891, the town drilled a well and had water mains installed and supply tank erected both to furnish water to the citizens and protection against fire. This wooden tank was replaced in 1938 by the present metal one and a number of extra mains laid with W.P.A. Funds. Another well was drilled in 1950, and in 1953 a filter system was installed.

During the summer of 1927 the paving of Highway 30 was the big project. That also promoted the oiling of the streets of the town so that we have now a fine system of surfaced streets.

During the term of our present Mayor, Henry F. Dircks many improvements have been made. An excellent street lighting system was installed on highway 30, also known as Lombard Street, from west to east limits of town. A bandshell of which any community would be justly proud was built in the downtown park.

Town Councils may change as to membership and mayors come and go but one feature of our local government has been the same almost from the beginning. The town council has met for the regular monthly meeting on the second Tuesday of each month that can be traced for nearly 90 years.

The Clarence Volunteer Fire Company was established by town ordinance in 1918. Its members have monthly meetings for drill and care of the fire trucks. In 1948 a large truck to service both town and country fires was purchased by popular subscription. Yearly dues of $5.00 are paid by farmers which is used to finance care of the truck, any surplus is repaid as a patronage dividend to the subscriber. Lester Clemmens has been fire chief for the past thirteen years.