Hughes County Tribune, Holdenville, Oklahoma 
Thursday, April 9, 1925

 

Joseph Haynes CLAWSON

 

"Life's race well run,
Life's work well done,
Life's crown well won,
Now comes rest".

 

Friday Morning, last, the Tribune's presses were silent, for Joseph Haynes CLAWSON, the paper's founder, and chief, had passed behind the alabaster veil.  The end came suddenly and without warning.  No suffering marked his final moments of earthly life.  Having partaken of a light breakfast, Mr. CLAWSON sat reclining in his chair when he was stricken with an attack of heart failure, and thus his career of school teacher, soldier, merchant and editor came to a close.

 

Exactly three quarters of a century ago the 19th day of April last, Joseph Haynes CLAWSON was born in Warren County, Indiana where he spent his childhood 'mid the sycamores and candle lights of the Hoosier state.   For several years during his young manhood Mr. CLAWSON taught school.  Later he served in the United States army as an enlisted soldier, following which he was engaged in the mercantile business.  Then came the call of what was then known as the West, and in February 1901, following several years residence in Kansas, where he taught school and later founded the Modern Light of Columbus, Kansas, the only Democratic newspaper of Cherokee County.  Afterwards he moved to Chelsea, I.___ where he established the Chelsea Reporter, and today these two newspapers are among the most important newspapers of their particular section.

 

He moved to Holdenville during February 1901 and founded the Tribune, the first issue of the paper being dated march 1, 1901, and continued to edit and publish this paper for several years when he disposed of it.   Later, in 1913, the deceased and his son, W. R. CLAWSON again acquired ownership of the Tribune, and thus, for thirty-five years, almost continuously, Mr. CLAWSON was actively engaged in the publishing business.

 

Mr. CLAWSON left surviving him his wife, Esther Ann CLAWSON, and his six sons; Gilbert A. CLAWSON, who resides at Venice, Calif., Joseph W. CLAWSON, residing in St. Louis, Mo., and Don D. and W. R. CLAWSON, L. L. CLAWSON and Dewey E. CLAWSON , all of Holdenville.  The three latter sons have been actively connected with the Tribune staff for many years.  W. R. CLAWSON being in partnership with his father.  All of the deceased's sons are engaged in the newspaper, printing or publishing business. 

 

The deceased was a member of all the Masonic orders, save and except the Shrine, and not over a month ago expressed the wish that he might live to attend the first meeting of his order to be held in the new Masonic Temple in Holdenville, now under construction.  He was one of the leaders in the movement to erect the temple.

 

Mr. CLAWSON's wisdom and unfailing energy helped shape the destiny of the public school system in this city, as he served for several years on the school board and worked tirelessly for the new high school.  He was public spirited, generous, charitable, and numbered his friends by his acquaintances.

 

Mr. CLAWSON adhered to the Christian Science faith. 

 

Funeral services for the departed were conducted at the Baptist church Sunday afternoon.  Mr. BAILEY, reader of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Oklahoma City, read the ceremony, which was attended by hundreds of people, many of whom were unable to crowd into the church edifice.  Following the church services the Masonic lodge assumed charge of the further services at the Holdenville cemetery. The cortage, which followed all that was mortal of the deceased to the cemetery, was the largest that has been seen in Holdenville for many years.  Floral offerings bespeaking the sympathy of the deceased's earthly friends literally banked the chancel of the church.

 

Mr. CLAWSON's death marked the passing of an upright and useful citizen.  He harbored malice toward no man.  Idle gossip never crossed his lips.  His time, his energy and his means were dedicated to helping making better men and his community and state a better place.   G. Arthur HOLLOWAY. 

 

ONE WHO SERVED

 

The world at large will little note the passing of J. H. CLAWSON of the Hughes County tribune, who died at his desk in Holdenville last Friday.  But within Hughes County, where Mr. CLAWSON lived and labored for a quarter century, there is genuine regret that he is gone.  It was in Hughes County that his best work was done, it was there he built up one of he best weekly newspapers in Oklahoma, and it was there that he lent aid in advancing every cause that sought to make his people more prosperous and happy.   Too often a busy people fail to realize the effective service rendered by the so-called small-town editor, who is working for the common good while the majority are interested only in their private affairs. J. H. CLAWSON was working for Holdenville and Hughes county through many long and trying years and both town and county are all the better for his life and labors - Luther HARRISON in Tuesday's Daily Oklahoma.

 

Tribute To J. H. CLAWSON

 

The passing of Joseph H. CLAWSON recalls an acquaintance of more than twenty years.  It was our good fortune to have associated with in much in early times as well as later.  We drove over Hughes County some eighteen years ago together.  He was one of the best men I ever met, had such an even temper, always looking at the better side of everything.  No guile was ever found in his mouth.  So thoroughly honest, he was always prone to give the other fellow the best of everything.  He was always ready to help the other fellow. Truth was his watchword.  He was always trying to pull some body up and nobody down.  Holdenville has just cause to morn his passing.  His hope for the future was ever present with him and we feel he is now enjoying the reward of the faithful.   Ed ARNOLD