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A.E. Clawson

A newcomer to Cheney arrived in this state in the early 1900's. A.E. Clawson was born and raised in Glenwood, Indiana where he received his secondary education. He attended Normal School in that state for two years before enrolling in the University of Indiana for another two where he earned his A.B. degree.

Not certain teaching was the profession he wished to make his career, he then took a course in law, was admitted to the bar and entered that line of work by becoming a deputy prosecuting attorney of St. Joseph County, Indiana.

In 1892 Mr. Clawson decided to give teaching a try, taking a position in a country school for one year. His teaching talents were recognized and the following year he was offered the principalship of a ward school in the county seat, advancing to superintendent of schools at Upland, Indiana.

Around 1900 he came to head the Farmington, Washington schools. He lived and worked in that town for the next three years. The fine farm land in that vicinity made such an impression on him that he invested in a farm near there.

Mr. Clawson's next move was to Spokane where he taught business classes at Blair Business College until being hired to teach in the Cheney High School in 1911. The spring graduating class saw 180 students receiving diplomas.

Teaching ability plus executive qualifications elevated him to the position of Superintendent of the Cheney Public Schools for the year of 1913. He was also well liked by the students and at the May 25, 1912 reception hosted by the Junior Class for the Senior Class, Mr. and Mrs. Clawson were chosen to assist. The reception was a formal occasion held at the Cheney Hotel.

The first summer and fall of 1912 the Clawson's would spend a week whenever possible at Farmington, enjoying the drive to and from their Cheney home. They both admired the beautiful Palouse farm land seen enroute. While on one of those trips he negotiated a deal to sell part of his land for $175.00 an acre, an excellent price for that era. His farmland was reportedly all improved and suitable for raising fruit as well as ground crops.

Mr. and Mrs. Clawson both took part in the social and civic life of this city. Being familiar with legal matters he was the logical choice to fill a vacancy as City Attorney for a few months. His background of law and business so impressed Cheney voters that he was honored by being elected Mayor for the 1913 term. He was sworn into office on January 1 of that year. One of his first acts as Mayor was to appoint prominent citizen and council member Louis Van Patten as Park Commissioner. The municipal park at Fish Lake presented endless problems to be resolved. Expert management skills were essential to head the department.

Dirt streets still were a problem, especially in wet weather. Merchants on blocks 22 and 23 petitioned to construct crosswalks under supervision of the Street Commissioner. A bridge was put across Third and J Streets and a two-plank crossing on the northwest side of Seventh and I Streets.

Old wooden water mains were still in place at various points in the city. By working with the council, the Mayor gave the order to take up the wooden mains on First St. and replace them with 2" iron pipe.

No doubt other improvements would have been suggested by the Mayor but to the disappointment of all concerned, Mayor Clawson handed in his resignation to become effective July 1 that same year. The July 18, 1913 issue of the Cheney Free Press reported the Clawsons had departed that week for Enterprise, Oregon where they had purchased a quarter section of wheat land. To quote from the article, "During their stay here Mr. and Mrs. Clawson have made many friends who regret to see them leave but who wish them prosperity in their new venture."

Contributed by Ellen Proctor, 1988.