The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1929-03-20
CLEMANS MARKS
40 YEARS SERVICE

Former Minneapolis Pastor,
| War Chaplain, Observes
Anniversary Sunday.
A celebration of what was probably
the most colorful career of any
American pastor brought persons
from all sections of Minnesota and
the nation to Owatonna Sunday when
| the forthieth anniversary of the en-
trance of Lieutenant Colonel E. c.
| Clemans into active ministerial work
was observed.
Colonel Clemans' who became an
ordained pastor on Sunday, March 10,
1889, is a past national chaplain of
the American Legion and of the
United Spanish War Veterans, and
a leading national figure in both or
CARNATIONS. He is known to tens of
thousands through his career as a
Methodist Episcopal pastor, as an
army and national guard chaplain
and officer of 40 years service, includ-
ing the World and Spanish-wars and
the Mexican border campaign, and as
leader in Boy Scout work and civic
affairs of every community he has
lived in.
Colonel Clemans' church was filled
to overlooking for the two services
at which he presided Sunday. The
"Padre," as he is called by thousands,
has issued this Command" to his
friends: 81 want to know how many,
friends I have before die-not after.
Give me your flowers while l am
alive, will not be able to appreciate
them after. If you cannot come to
the services, write me letter"
Although he had led religious serv-
ices on several occasions previous
to his decision to enter the ministry,
Colonel Clemans preached his first
sermon in the Waseca Methodist
Episcopal church 40 years ago Sum-
day. He served at Waseca five years.
On September 80, 1889, he became
pastor of the Forest Heights Method
list Episcopal church of Minneapolis.
During this Minneapolis pastorate,
Padre" Clemans was given wa
cation" to fulfill his duties as chaplain
of the Twelfth Minnesota Volunteers,
when the Second Minnesota was thus
designated for service during the
Spanish-American war.
When his vacation" had ended
November 6, 1898, he returned to the
Forest Heights church. From Oct
ober 1, 1899, until May 10, 1908, he
served pastorate at Anoka. He
subsequently was appointed to the
district superintendency, then known
as a presiding eldership, of the Du-
luth district. At the expiration of
a six-year term, he was field work
err with the Anti-Saloon League from
October 1, 1909, to November 1, 1910.
| He then became field represent
tative of the board of conference
claimants of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and during an extended eva
cation" from June 80, 1916, to January
"a, 1917, to serve as chaplain of the
Second Minnesota regiment in the
Mexican Border campaign. He gave
up his place with the church on July
Is, 1917, to resume his place as
major and chaplain of the 136th In
fantry.
AS chaplain of the regiment, the
pastor served II months at Camp
Cody, before the regiment, which
included two companies from Owa
tonna and others from other south
ern Minnesota cities, was ordered
overseas.
Colonel Clemans was named pas
tor of the First Methodist Episco
pal church here on Jan. 1, 1920, and
is serving his tenth year in that
capacity. When the 135th Infantry
was reorganized from remnants of
the two sister Minnesota regiments
of the 6Sth Brigade of war service
in 1920, the 135th and 136th, he was
chosen to be chaplain and shortly
afterward his long service as a
chaplain brought him a lieutenant
colonels commission. He was re-
tired at the army age limit of GA,
on Aug. IS, 1924, but has been called
back from retirement to serve at
each field training camp of his regi-
ment and thus was, with President
Coolidge, leading figure in the de-
dication of the 135th Infantry's men,
orial to Colonel William Colvill and
the First Minnesota of the Civil war
at the Cannon Falls cemetery July
20, 1928.
He holds the degree of doctor of
divinity, conferred upon him at the
Hamline University commencement
in June, 1894. He has preached or
spoken in every state Of the union
except Nevada and Utah and attend
ed every national American Legion
convention to date, including tour
of Europe and the Holy Land with
hi Dc, xrfcit