Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-09-13
PASSING OF PROMINENT CITIZEN.
William Clawater. Pioneer Settler and
Veteran OF the Rebellion.

William Ciawater, one of the fore
most citizens and most intelligent men
the county has ever had, died at his Lib
erty Pols home last Saturday night, af-
ter re idence here of over half CEN
tury, w1ere he reared large family
As writer, g thinker, q conversation
alist, a man of affairs and travel, Mr..
Clawater possessed genius. He was a
good neighbor and friend The long
time companion of his life passed away
about two years ago For many months
he was afflicted with paralysis and other
complications Funeral will occur from
the family home this afternoon. exer-
cises to be conducted by Revs. Nuzum
and Stemen The following sketch of
the life and services of the departed
will be read, prepared by his longtime
neighbor and comrade. General Rogers:
WILLIAM CLAwATER died at his home in
franklin, saturday, September 9th. lie WAS
born at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, Novem-
Der 1875. His early manhood was spent on the
river. In 1s45 q he lived in Western Missouri
with sister, Mrs. Nonald, who survives
him. Being OF robust iY and OF an adven-
turouS nature, the discovery OF gold in Call
fornia led him to embark from Philadelphia,
on sailing vessel in the spring OF lSi9 des-
tined for San Francisco, rounding Cape Horn,
III years gone by he Olten spoke OF tue voyage
by sea, the anxiety to complete the Journey,
uf the days becaimed and the cTeaking old
rlggings when the storm king played with the
waves, lie landed late in the summer OF 1870
and after few days in tho e''V he took pas
sage for Sacramento, and q. . the mines
where he worked for a yeac, making few
thousand dollars. la 1S5o he returned to San
francisco, taking an active part ia the adopt
ion Of constitution without slavery. He re-
sumed mining and wOr ked in the gulches TIL
ibe autumn of 1858, when, with a small party
or vigorous homecumers, coasted down the
west shore 10 Nicaragua, where they disem-
OaFked ana crossed to the gulf at TOro del Bo-
CO, where the party embcrked on fruit ves-
sci foI Philadelphia,
n 1854, he came to Il I'd AK, now Liberty
Pole, and purchased frol Mr. Lawrence the
farm on which he has lived all OF these fifty
one years, In the shade OF the trees ne plant
ca one. half century ago. In June 1851 when
the call TO arms went forth, he bade good bye
10 wife and children, left the home that need
ed his care and enlisted IL Co. l, Sixth Wis
cOnsin regiment. He was appointed nom
commissioned Oificer-seFgeant t-and held the
position till discharged In 1853. he performed
MS c ATTY under the iiag OF bis country we'll,
and bravely stood tin the line OF battles at
Gainesville, Bun Run, Chantiily. South
Mountain and Antietam. OF the I02 men OF
Company !, who mustered at Nlroeuatn June,
1861, many fell In battle Those who came
bome ia 1865, many with wounds. widely sep
Arated IN the west, and ali these years there
comes TO me the announcement ot death OF 8
comTsde, and now Sergeant olawater has gone
from this sphere OF action 10 the "biv0uac OF
the dead" Only few OF those who marched
in the ranks of Co, ], now, after forty years
OF peace, can answer "hercF Peace 10 his
ashes
A company Of g. A r comrades will
attend the funeral Tile remains will
be taken to Milwaukee for cremation,
in accordance with the request of Mr..
Claw8ter during life.