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Monday, November 27, 2006

this Santa Claus isn't coming to town

A person named "Santa Clause" (born April 1887 in MO) was the son of William Clause (born Feb 1857 in MO) and Henrietta Clause (born May 1861 in MO) in the 1900 census, with siblings Emma B. Clause (born Jan 1881 in MO), William E. Clause (born Nov 1882 in MO), Earler (?) Clause (born Dec 1885 in MO), Nellie Claus (vorn Nov 1889) and Earl Clause (born Dec 1894 in MO). The family resided in Liberty township, Saline County, MO (NARA T623, Roll 902, ED 129, Page 3A).

In the 1910 census, "Sante Claus" was age 23, single, a farm laborer, living as a hired man in the household of David Fleshman in Liberty township, Saline County, MO (NARA T624, Roll 823, ED 172, Page 4A).

In the 1920 census, "Santy Clause" (age 31, single, a boarder) resided with his brother Earl Clause in Blackwater township, Pettis County, MO (NARA T625, Roll 939, ED 125, Page 4B).

In the 1930 census, "Santa Claus" (age 42, married, first at age 24, born in MO, a laborer, works in river construction) resided in Marshall township, Saline County, MO with his wife Mabel Claus (age 36, married, first at age 18 in MO), son William Claus (age 15, brn MO), son Raymond Claus (age 12, born CO), son Fred Claus (age 9, born MO), son Joseph Claus (age 6, born MO), son James Claus (age 3, born MO) and daughter Dorthy Claus (age 0, born MO) (NARA T626, Roll 1246, ED 20, Page 12A).

Michael John Neill at his http://www.rootdig.com/ blog has census images for Santa Claus (with different spellings) for the 1900, 1920 and 1930 census.

Notice that son Raymond Claus was born in Colorado, not Missouri. And also note that Santa was in Missouri in the 1920 census listed as single, but he obviously had a wife and children in 1920 if the 1930 census records are correct.

There is more:

"Santy Clause" registered for the World War I draft on 5 June 1917 in Prowers County, Colorado. He was age 29, born 4 April 1888 in Marshall MO, a natural born US citizen, caucasian, married with two children. He was a farmer, and resided in Lamar, Route A, Prowers County, Colorado. He was medium height, medium build, blue eyes, light brown har, and no disabilities, and had no previous military service.

I was unable to find Mabel Claus or the two children William and Raymond in the 1920 census - perhaps someone else would like to try! My best guess is that they may be in Colorado then, or back in Saline County MO.

One last bit of data: Members of the Clause family are buried in Blue Lick Union Church Cemetery in Saline County, Missouri. The list includes:

Donna Clause (died 3 Oct 1942, age 0-4-24)
Earl Clause (1894-1940)
Helen F. Clause (1919-1955)
Henrietta S. Clause (18__-1915)
Minnie Mabel Clause ("mother," 1894-1944)
Raymond E. Clause (1917-1971)
Santa Clause ("Father," 1888-1957)
Silvina Clause (1877-1964)
William Clause (1856-1917)

So, to summarize:

"Santa Claus" was born 4 April 1887 or 1888 in Marshall, Saline County, MO, the son of William and Henrietta (--?--) Claus. He married Minnie Mabel --?-- in about 1912 and had at least 6 children, and was a laborer in river construction in 1930. He died in 1957 and is buried in Saline County, Missouri.

This Santa Claus is, unfortunately, not coming to town soon - he's dead and buried in Missouri. It doesn't appear that he could possibly be the jolly purveyor of toys and good cheer with a big belly and long white beard who lives with his unnamed wife and elves and 9 reindeer at the North Pole, does it? Don't tell the kids.

Isn't it amazing what you can find on the Internet with lots of spare time on your hands?

4 comments:

  1. Santa Clause was my grandfathers cousin. Apparently he was listed in Time Magazine in 1939 and went to New York in 1939 for Ripleys Believe It or Not because of all the mail he received at his home in 1939.
    I also heard a story from my mother how she saw a check he had received from Mae West for $1000.
    He was a plumber by trade and a preacher too boot. Somewhere I was informed that he was short and round just like Santa!

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  2. This is my grandfather. My father was James Clause of Marshall Mo any information of the family would be of interest Mail to:
    336 East Ohio Marshall Mo 65340

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  3. MY MOTHER AND FATHER, LEONARD AND HELEN HATFIELD, WERE MARRIED BY SANTA CLAUS IN MARSHALL, MO. I HAVE THEIR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE FRAMED AND IT IS QUITE A CONVERSATION PIECE. DAD PASSED AWAY ABOUT 12 YEARS AGO. MOM IS 92YEARS OLD BUT REMEMBERS WELL HER WEDDING DAY.

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  4. He was my grandpa too. my mom is Amy R.(Clause) Martin could you please send me more information.Send to 706 main Waverly,Mo. 64096

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