Alameda County
Biographies
EDWARD H. CLAWITER
While Edward H. Clawiter cannot be said to be the architect of his own fortune, he has faithfully improved the opportunity that has come his way, and as the manager of the large farm improved by his father, has not been less energetic nor capable because of the absence of the incentive supposed to arise from having to face the world without influence or money. He was born in what was then Union City, but is now known as Alvarado, November 27, 1852, and is the son of Edward Clawiter, a native of Prussia, Germany, who was born in 1817.
Edward Clawiter was a machinist by trade, but had a roving spirit which made him, to a certain extent, the victim of fickle fortune. As fortune is more often kind than otherwise, it led him into pleasant and profitable places, else California had never been indebted to his ability and excellent citizenship. As a rover he followed the sea, advanced by stages to important responsibility, and when he arrived in the port of San Francisco in 1847, he was an officer of the ship. In 1849 he returned from another voyage, and, hearing of the gold hidden in the mines, abandoned the ship and went to Sonora for a time, and was quite successful. Returning to Europe, he took with him the first American gold to reach Germany, which was deposited in the Museum of Berlin. While in the fatherland he married Mary Gading, a native of Bremen, Germany, who was born 1830, and with whom he returned and located in Union City in 1851. Here he started a mercantile business on a small scale, worked up quite a trade, and had occasion to be grateful for the inspiration which led him to abandon the sea. His daughter Union was the first white female child born in Union City, and John M. Horner, who owned most of the town site, gave her a lot, with the understanding that she should be named Union, after the village. This of course agreed to, and Union proved a strong healthy girl, who did honor to her name, and finally married Converse Howe, who was auditor of Los Angeles county, and who died comparatively early in life, leaving four sons. Besides Union, there were three other children; Edward H.; Mary, who lives with her mother; and Ida, the wife of H. Krusi, a resident of Alameda. Mr. Clawiter was particularly successful with his store for the first two years, owing to the boom, especially as he was a linguist, speaking Spanish, German and English fluently. When the boom subsided Mr. Clawiter invested in land in Mount Eden and San Lorenzo, working five hundred acres until 1877. He then retired to Alameda leaving the management of his ranch to his son Edward H. His death occurred December 13, 1883. He owned a large and valuable property, and also was a land owner in Oakland, and other parts of the state. He was interested in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for many years, and was a charter member of Sycamore lodge at Haywards.
Edward H. Clawiter was an infant when his parents brought him to the farm he now occupies. He was educated in the common schools, and at the Pacific Business College of San Francisco. In 1877 he married Annie G. Schafer, who was born in Eldorado county, Cal., and they have two children, Edward Ivan and Grace B., the latter of whom is living at home. Edward Ivan Clawiter is a graduate of the California State University, class of 1900, and was admitted to the bar of the supreme court, in June, 1900. He is now assistant city engineer of Manila, Philippine Islands. Mr. Clawiter is an active and strong Republican, and is prominent fraternally, being identified with Haywards Lodge, No. 243, F.& A.M., Doric Chapter No. 66, R.A.M., of San Leandro, Oakland Council, No. 12, and Oakland Commandery No. 11, K.T. He is also a member of Eden Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West, of Haywards. The five hundred-acre farm left by the elder Clawiter has never been divided, but in its entirety is managed by his capable son. Mr. Clawiter devotes the property to grain and vegetables. In 1887 he purchased the warehouse at Mount Eden station, and since has been dealing in grain on a large scale. He is an earnest, thoughtful, and considerate man, and has the esteem and good will of all who know him.
Transcribed
9-9-15 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 771-772. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Marilyn R. Pankey.
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