Thomas Claer

CLAER, OWENS

Posted By: Cathy Labath (email)
Date: 10/10/2016 at 15:45:41

Thomas Claer

Mr. Thomas Claer was born at Lucan, Ontario, on October 16, 1859. His parents came to this county in 1873. They homesteaded the quarter section of land on which part of the town of Ayrshire now stands.

Mr. Claer attended the local schools and grew to manhood in the Ayrshire locality. July 2, 1883, he was married to Martha Owens, whose people were old residents of the Ayrshire locality. Mr. and Mrs. Claer lived on a farm for five years. In 1885 they moved to Emmetsburg where they operated the St. James Hotel. In 1890 they returned to Ayrshire. Mr. Claer put up a building and engaged in the hardware business. He was a postmaster during Pres. Cleveland's second term of office. In 1908 he moved on to the J.J. Martin farm southeast of Ayrshire, having bought the place a short time before. In 1906 he located on his half section near Ruthven, buta few years later they moved back to the farm south of Ayrshire. A daughter was born to them, but she lived only eight years. This was their only child.

Mr. Claer was an influential man and one of the most active men in the county. He was honest, straight forward and upright and he won the confidence of all who knew him. He was a man of good habits. He had only disgust for those who practiced habits which were downgrading. He was always a loyal and helpful friend to all who knew him.

He was a large land owner, and owned several of the finest Percheron horses in the United States.

- From Ayrshire, Iowa Centennial 1882-1982 p. 141