Alameda County Biographies

Edward H. Clawiter

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 

	With every phase of ranch development Edward H. Clawiter is familiar and his efforts 
have been an element in bringing about rapid progress and development in the production of both 
grain and vegetables in this section of the state. Today he is living retired as the possessor 
of a handsome competence, which has come to him through well ordered business affairs. He is a 
strong, forceful and resourceful man, active and energetic, and the most envious cannot grudge 
him his success, so honorably has it been won and so worthily used.
	When Alvarado was known as Union City, Edward H. Clawiter was born there November 27, 
1852. His father, Edward Clawiter, Sr., was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1817, and in his 
youthful days learned the machinist's trade, but the spirit of wanderlust was in him in early 
manhood and led him to leave his native country, seeking opportunity and adventure elsewhere. 
Thus, eventually he came to California. He had spent some time upon the sea and had been 
advanced until he was occupying an official position on the ship that bore him to the harbor 
of San Francisco in 1847. He did not then give up the sea, but returned to San Francisco from 
another voyage in 1849. It was then that he learned of the discovery of gold and, abandoning 
the ship, he went to Sonora, where he engaged in the search for the precious metal, meeting 
with considerable success. He it was who bore the first American gold to Germany and it was 
deposited in the Museum of Berlin. During this temporary sojourn in his native country he was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary Garding, a native of Bremen, Germany, born in 1830. In 1851 he 
brought his bride to the new world, taking up his abode in Union City, California, where he 
embarked in merchandising, having originally but a small stock. His enterprising methods, 
however, were soon manifest in a growing trade and in time he was at the head of a very 
gratifying business. During the residence of the family at Union City their first child was 
born and she was the first white female child to claim Union City as the place of her nativity 
and was given the name of Union, while John M. Horner, who owned most of the town site, 
presented her with a lot, owing to the fact that she was given the name. Three other children 
were afterward added to the family: Edward H.; Mary, who lives with her mother; and Ida, who 
became the wife of H. Krusi, a resident of Alameda. The eldest daughter, Union, became the wife 
of Converse Howe, who was auditor of Los Angeles county and died at a comparatively early age, 
leaving four sons.       
	In his merchandising venture Mr. Clawiter met with substantial success for two years. 
He possessed good business ability and, moreover, was a linguist, speaking Spanish, German and 
English fluently. When the boom subsided he invested in land in Mount Eden and San Lorenzo and 
continued the cultivation of five hundred acres until 1877, when he turned the management of 
the ranch over to his son Edward H. and took up his abode in Alameda, where he passed away 
December 13, 1883. His portrait, presented by his son, Edward H. Clawiter, occupies a place in 
the Museum in Golden Gate Park of San Francisco. He was the owner of much valuable property, 
also holding extensive realty at Oakland and other parts of this state. For many years he held 
membership with the Odd Fellows and was a charter member of Sycamore Lodge at Hayward.
	While Edward H. Clawiter was born in Union City, he was still an infant when his parents 
removed to the farm. After attending the public schools he became a student in the Pacific 
Business College of San Francisco and thus prepared for the onerous and responsible duties of 
later life. His education completed, he became the active assistant of his father and afterward 
took over the management of the ranch and other properties held by his father. In all he has 
displayed splendid business ability, and his record proves that success is not a matter of genius,
but is the result of sound judgment, experience and keen insight. His plans are carefully 
formulated, his investments wisely made and he has extended his holdings and increased the value 
of the properties he inherited. He was married on the 18th of October, 1877, at Mount Eden, to 
Miss Annie G. Schafer, a native of Eldorado county, California, and they have become parrents of 
two children, Edward Ivan and Grace B. The son, after completing a common-school course, entered 
the University of California, from which he was graduated in 1900. He took up the study of law 
and was admitted to the bar upon examination before the supreme court in June of the same year. 
He likewise pursued a course in civil engineering at the Vander Naillen School in Oakland. Soon 
after completing that course he went to Manila, P. I., where he remained for more than five years. 
While there he met and wedded a young lady, who was a native of one of the eastern states. He 
returned to the United States, but soon afterward went to Europe and subsequently engaged in 
engineering work on the Suez canal. After once more returning to America he became associated 
with the Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Company, a large firm of harbor contractors, and was for a time 
engaged on work on the Erie canal. At the close of that work he severed his connection with the 
firm and went to Buenos Aires, South America, remaining in that country for seven months, during 
which time he converted one hundred miles of steam railroad into an electric line. After a brief 
visit to the States he again went to South America for a year. He was then transferred by his 
firm to Los Angeles, California, and later to San Francisco, having now lived in the latter city 
for the past year. The daughter is a musician, possessing both instrumental and vocal talent in 
a marked degree, and is a member of the Adelphi Club of Alameda.
	Politically Mr. Clawiter is a stalwart republican, doing all in his power to advance the 
interests of his party. Fraternally he is well known as a member of Hayward Lodge, No. 243, A. F. 
& A. M.; Doric Chapter, No. 66, R. A. M., of San Leandro; and Oakland Commandery, No. 11, K. T. 
He also belongs to Aahmes Temple of the Mystic Shrine and is a member of Eden Parlor, Native Sons 
of the Golden West, of Hayward.
	While in active business Mr. Clawiter utilized his ranch for the production of grain and 
vegetables and in 1887 purchased the warehouse at Mount Eden station and for many years dealt in 
grain on a large scale. In 1904, however, he discontinued his warehouse business and retired. He 
now leases his large ranch, retaining only the orchard which surrounds his beautiful home. In the 
summer of 1910 he and his family made a two months' tour of the east, visiting the principal cities 
and places of interest. He owns valuable real estate in the city of Alameda as well as his ranch 
property. His chief recreation is motoring and he has a fine car, enabling him to indulge his 
desires along that line.

Past & Present of Alameda County, California � Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914, p. 581