My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM T. CLAUSS. Standing in the front ranks of the prominent and enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of Heidelberg Township, is the subject of this sketch, who was in former years a school teacher, but is now engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a native of this county, and was born July 11, 1849, to Nathan and Polly (Delong) Clauss, the father a native of this township, and the mother born in Lowhill Township. The Clauss family originally came from Germany to America, although the name of the founder in this country is not known.

The father of our subject was a prosperous farmer in this township, and passed from this life in May, 1885. He became the father of the following surviving children: Joseph, Frank; Mary, Mrs. Tilghman Peter; Abigail, now Mrs. Wilson Krause; David; William and Jane, the latter, Mrs. Dr. W. P. Kistler. All the children make their home in the city of Allentown, with the exception of our subject and David, who live in Heidelberg Township. The father was a Republican in politics, and belonged to the Lutheran Church.

William T., of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of this vicinity and in the Kingston State Normal. After leaving the latter place he taught school for two terms in this township. Here he now owns one hundred and thirty-four acres of excellent farming land, devoted to diversified crops and stock-raising. He pursues his calling with zeal and intelligence, winning from the soil an abundant harvest of the various grains, and in this way secures for himself and family all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

Our subject married January 29, 1871, Miss Mary A. Peter, a daughter of Levi and Polly Peter, of this county. They have one daughter surviving, Emma P., an accomplished lady and a graduate of the Allentown Young Woman’s College. In politics Mr. Clauss casts his vote with the Republican party, and is a consistent and valued member of the Lutheran Church, in which he has served as Deacon for years. His wife is a member of the Reformed Church. They have many warm friends who appreciate them to the fullest extent. The manly character and useful life of Mr. Clauss will exert an influence over all who know him or learn the record of his life.

The parents of Mrs. Clauss were natives of this county. The Peter family came from Germany, and were among the early settlers of Heidelberg Township. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Levi Peter, Sophia, the wife of Owen D. Snyder, of Saegersville, and Mrs. Clauss. The father died December 27, 1870, and the good mother resides at the home of our subject, and is in her sixty-ninth year.