Claire Dorothy (born Clara Dora VonSien) was the ninth of ten children born to:
Wilhelm (William) Frederick John VonSien &
Katharina Theis.
Wilhelm had a daughter previous to this, Erda, with first wife, Frederike Famer, who died in 1871.

Clara appears in the Waseca County birth records as 'Clara Vonsien' and her birth date is recorded as Oct. 13, 1889 in the city of Waseca, Waseca County, MN. birth records (Book A, P. 168, Line 15). Her father was: 56 yr. old Wm. 'Vonsien' (Von Sien), born in Germany. Mother was 42 yrs. old. Birth registered on Oct. 18, 1889.

*Note: She was christened 'Clara'. In her later years, she anglicized her name to Claire, but according to her niece, Lydia Beese Beekman, relatives and friends who grew up with her always called her Clara.

In the May 15 & 17, 1895 Minnesota Territorial and State Census, 6 yr. old Claire Vonsien, b. in MN., was living in Woodville, Waseca, MN. with her 62 yr. old father, William, a farmer, b. in Germany
42 yr. old Katie Vonsien, a housewife, b. in Germany
22 yr. old G.S. Vonsien, a farmer, b. in MN.
21 yr. old Emma Vonsien, a domestic, b. in MN.
19 yr. old Liddie (Lydia) Vonsien, b. in MN.
17 yr. old Willie (William) Vonsien, b. in MN.
15 yr. old Bennie Vonsien, b. in MN.
18 yr. old Edward Vonsien, b. in MN.
10 yr. old Anna Vonsien, b. in MN.
8 yr. old Freddie Vonsien, b. in MN.
3 yr. old Clarence Vonsien, b. in MN.
William VonSien had been a resident of this state for 28 yrs. G.S. Vonsien had been a resident of this state for 22 years.

In the 1900 U.S. census, 7 yr. old Clara Vonsein, a student, b. Mar. 1893 in MN., was living in Woodville, Waseca, MN. with her
23 yr. old brother, (designated as head of household), W.J. (William John) Vonsein, a farmer and iceman, b. May 1877 in MN.
46 yr. old widowed mother, Katie Vonsein, b. Dec. 1853 in Germany
24 yr. old sister, Lydia Vonsein, a dressmaker, b. Mar. 1876 in MN.
19 yr. old brother, Ed Vonsein, a farmer and iceman, b. Apr. 1881 in MN.
16 yr. old sister, Anna Vonsein, a student, b. Apr. 1884 in MN.
15 yr. old brother, Fred Vonsein, a student, b. Apr. 1885 in MN.
10 yr. old brother, Clarence Vonsein, a student, b. Mar. 1890 in MN.
Katie's parents were both b. in Germany.
Her husband, father of all her children, was also born in Germany.
Katie was the mother of 10 children, all alive by this census.
She immigrated to the U.S. in 1855.

Clara left Waseca to finish her senior year of high school at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She stayed with a dentist and his family, working for them for room and board. She later attended a Normal School/Teacher's College.

She moved to California to live near her sister, Lydia. She was working in a packing house when she met her husband-to-be, Earnest E. Perdew. Clara went into Nurse's training when she was living in Upland, San Bernardino, CA. and worked as a nurse.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 21, Col. 6
Fri., Jun. 8, 1917
FIVE YOUNG WOMEN WIN DIPLOMAS
UPLAND, June 7. - At the annual graduation exercises of the San Antonio Hospital Training School for Nurses Tuesday, five young women were presented with diplomas. They are Miss Dora Eades of Providence, Ky., Miss Josephine Weber of Ontario, Miss Delia Kintzl of Upland, Miss Claire Von Sien of Cucamonga and Miss Elizabeth Kreider of Abilene, Kan.
Judge J. R. Pollock presided as chairman of the evening and Dr. F. F. Abbott delivered the address. The nurses’ pins were presented by Miss Elizabeth Atkinson, superintendent of the San Antonio Hospital.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 40, Col. 4
Jul. 29, 1917
Item from: Upland.
Members of the Upland volunteer fire department entertained with a progressive five hundred party Tuesday evening on the electrically-lighted lawns at the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Nichols (and three other couples). At the conclusion of each game occupants from one table at each home were driven to the next home in order by motor car. At the close of the card tournament the guests were taken to the clubrooms of the department over the fire hall, where a light supper was served. Those who enjoyed the event were Miss Clare von Sien (and 6 other young ladies, 22 couples and 15 young men.

Earnest E. Perdew's participation in WWI began when he arrived at Camp Lewis, near Tacoma, Pierce Co., Washington, in the summer of 1917 when a huge military encampment was being built and the 91st Division was being organized. On May 17, 1918, newspapers carried the announcement by the Commanding General that the 91st Division would move within two months. Perhaps spurred by this news, Earnest E. Perdew, of San Bernardino Co., CA. and Claire Dorothy Von Sien, of San Bernardino Co., CA., were married on Jun. 15, 1918 in Tacoma, Pierce, WA. by R.H. McHinnis, a clergyman. Witnesses were: Thos. N. Morris and L.L. Drugle. Their residence was listed as Tacoma.

The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 7, Wed., Jun. 26, 1918
ERNEST PERDEW HAS TAKEN BRIDE
The SUN’S Staff Correspondence
ETIWANDA, June 25 - Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Perdew received a telegram from their son, Sergeant Ernest (Earnest) Perdew, of Camp Lewis, announcing his marriage to Miss Clara Von Sein (Von Sien), of Alta Loma. Mr. Perdew is a son of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Perdew and was born and raised in Etiwanda. Mrs. Perdew is a graduate nurse of the San Antonio hospital, at Upland, and has many friends here, and they have the best wishes of the entire community. Mrs. Perdew will remain at American Lake as long as Ernest is stationed there.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 35, Col. 3
Sun., Jul. 7, 1918
Item from: UPLAND
A wedding of more than ordinary interest was that celebrated Saturday at Camp Lewis (Washington), when Miss Claire von Sien, daughter of Mrs. Louise (no-Kathryn) von Sien, became the bride of Sergt. Ernest (Earnest) Perdew of Etiwanda. The bride is a graduate of the San Antonio Hospital school for nurses, and is a sister of Mrs. Charles brown. The bride is to remain at American Lake as long as Sergt. Perdew is stationed there, having joined the Red Cross nursing corps at Tacoma.

Earnest and Clara honeymooned at the rustic and romantic Paradise Inn in Mt. Ranier National Park, Wa., surrounded by mountain meadows lush with wildflowers and miles of hiking trails, breathtaking views of glaciers and waterfalls. The inn had opened less than a year previously, on July 1, 1917, and has since housed such famous guests as Shirley Temple and Pres. Harry S. Truman.

The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 12, Fri., May 2, 1919
SOLDIER PERDEW RETURNS WITH PRIZED D.S.C. DECORATION
ETIWANDA, May 1 - Sergeant Ernest (Earnest) Perdew of H company, 364th infantry, of the 91st division, arrived at home Wednesday, bringing with him his D.S.C. awarded for bravery in the battle of the Meuse-Argonne. He and Mrs. Perdew have taken up housekeeping at Cucamonga where they have a cozy little cottage furnished. Mrs. Perdew, who was formerly Miss Claire Von Eine (Von Sien) of Cucamonga, went to Camp Lewis just before Sergeant Perdew left for France and they were married after which she remained for some time nursing in a Portland hospital. Since her return home she has continued her profession until the day of her husband’s return.

Earnest (who she nicknamed 'Pete') and Clara (who he nicknamed 'Brownie') Perdew were the parents of five children:
1) Dorothy Jean Perdew Van Fleet, b. Apr. 17, 1920 in Upland, San Bernardino, CA. and d. Jun. 1, 1999 in Upland, San Bernardino, CA.
2) Denning Miles 'Jack' Perdew, b. Dec. 13, 1921 in Upland, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Jul. 17, 2017 at Arcadia Methodist hospital in Arcadia, Los Angeles County, CA.
*Note: 'Denning' was named after Congressional medal of honor recipient, Bronson Deming. The original handwriting listed him as 'Deming Miles Perdew' - but a mistake was made in transcription, he was recorded on his birth certificate as 'Denning Miles Perdew" and the mistake was never corrected. (See note about Deming Bronson at the bottom of this memorial.)
3) Robert Earnest Perdew, b. Jul. 15, 1924 in Upland, San Bernardino Co., CA. and d. Sep. 21, 2007 in Alta Loma, San Bernardino Co., CA.
4) Kathryn Beth Perdew, b. Jul. 13, 1927 in San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Jun. 19, 2019 at home in Alta Loma, San Bernardino County, CA. Kathryn married Ermal 'Speed' Osborne.
5) Richard Von Sien Perdew, b. Oct. 12, 1932 in Upland, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Mar. 15, 2013 in Melbourne, Brevard County, FL.

Clara had a delightful, happy, carefree, loving personality and attended the Methodist Church (the old stone church) in Cucamonga, Ca.. She loved to set up sawhorse tables in her yard, order food to be delivered from the local store and prepare great quantities of delicious dishes to share with large groups of family and friends.

Clara loved to stay up late at night, painting, and her loving husband, Earnest, would wake up early to prepare breakfast for the children so she could sleep in. Eldest son, 'Jack' remembers that his eggs were always black with pepper.

In the 1920 U.S. census, 30 yr. old Claire Perdew, (no occupation), b. in MN., was living in Cucamonga, San Bernardino, CA. with her
28 yr. old husband, Ernest E. Perdew, a boxmaker in a packing house, b. in CA.
Claire's parents were both b. in Germany.
According to the census, Earnest's father was b. in UT. and his mother in CA.
They were living next door to Claire's
44 yr. old sister, Lydia (VonSien) Brown, b. in MN.
Lydia's 59 yr. old husband, Charles Brown, a citrus farmer, b. in MA. and Charley & Lydia's 2 yr. 5 mth. old daughter, Ruth Brown, b. in CA.
Living a couple of houses away were 33 yr. old Wm. Hawker and 40 yr. old John Hawker (related through Earnest's mother, Nettie Jeanette Henderson).

According to the San Bernardino County, California Voter's Registration, Mrs. Claire D. Perdew was a housewife and Mr. Earnest E. Perdew was a rancher. They were listed as Republicans and were living on Archibald Av. in Cucamonga, SB., CA. In 1930, 1936 and 1938, the information was the same but they were listed as living on Archibald in Alta Loma. In 1938, she was listed as Claire Dorothy Perdew.

In the Apr. 19, 1930 U.S. census, 40 yr. old Clara Perdew (no occupation listed), was living at 295 Archibald St. in Cucamonga Twp., San Bernardino Co., CA. with her
38 yr. old husband, Earnest E. Perdew, a citrus rancher
9 yr. old daughter, Dorothy Perdew, b. in CA.
8 yr. old son, 'Demming' (Denning) Perdew, b. in CA.
5 yr. old son, Robert Perdew, b. in CA.
Earnest was 26 yrs. old and Clara was 28 when they married.
Earnest's parents were both b. in CA.
Clara's parents were both b. in Germany.

Oct., 1932 - item from the local newspaper:
ALTA LOMA
Mrs. Ernest Perdew and new little son, Richard Von 'Sein' (Sien), returned to their home, 1673 Archibald avenue, Saturday afternoon from the San Antonio Community hospital. The husky youngster, who weighed 9 pounds and 10 ounces, was just ten days old, born October 12th, and received a big welcome from his four brothers and sisters.

In the Apr. 10, 1940 U.S. census, 49 yr. old Claire Perdew, no occupation listed, b. in MN., was living at 1673 Archibald on a 'farm' (citrus ranch) in Cucamonga, San Bernardino, CA., valued at $3,000, with her
48 yr. old husband, Earnest Perdew, the operator of a citrus ranch, b. in CA.
20 yr. old daughter, Dorothy Perdew, b. in CA.
18 yr. old son, Denning Perdew, b. in CA.
16 yr. old son, Robert Perdew, b. in CA.
12 yr. old daughter, Katherine, b. in CA.
7 yr. old son, Richard Perdew, b. in CA.
Earnest had completed two years of college and Claire and Dorothy had finished one year of college. Denning was a high school graduate, Bob had finished two years of high school, Katherine 5th grade and Richard, 2nd.
Earnest was working on his own account.
The family was living at the same place in 1935.

Clara, or 'Brownie" as her husband affectionately called her because of her brown hair and eyes, was the love of Earnest's life. She died two years later on Apr. 17, 1942, before her 53rd birthday, and he never remarried.

San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 14
Sun., Apr. 19, 1942
Dorothy Perdew Taken by Death
ALTA LOMA, April 18 - Mrs. Dorothy Claire Perdew, wife of E. E. Perdew, 1673 Archibald avenue, died last evening at San Antonio hospital, following a three months’ illness, at the age of 52 years.
A native of Waseca, Minn., Mrs. Perdew came from there to Alta Loma 27 years ago and had made her home here since.
Surviving Mrs. Perdew besides the husband are three sons, Denning Miles Perdew, now with the air corps and stationed at Santa Ana; Robert Ernest and Richard von Sien Perdew, Alta Loma; two daughters, Miss Dorothy Jean, Alhambra, and Miss Kathryn Beth, Alta Loma; four sisters, Mrs. Fred Minske, Brainerd, Minn.; Mrs. C. T. Brown, Alhambra; Mrs. Emma Fehmer, Los Angeles, and Miss Anna von Sien, New York City, and six brothers, George and Ed von Sien, Minneapolis, Minn.; Ben, Clarence, Fred and Will von Sien, Waseca, Minn.
With arrangements in charge of the Stone mortuary of Upland, funeral services will be conducted Monday, 2 p.m., at the Cucamonga Community church, of which Mrs. Perdew was a member. The Rev. Don Speers, pastor, and the Rev. Claire Britten of the Alhambra Foursquare church will officiate.
Interment will be in Bellevue cemetery, Ontario.

The Waseca Journal (Waseca, MN.), P. 1, Col. 7
Wed., Apr. 22, 1942
Sister of Von Sien Brothers Buried in California Monday
Mrs. Ernest (Earnest) Perdue (Perdew) died at her home (*No, San Antonio Community Hospital) in Alta Loma, California, Friday, April 17.
Mrs. Perdue (Perdew), the former Clara Von Sien, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Von Sien, was born in Waseca and grew to womanhood in the community. She is survived by her husband, three sons and two daughters. Her two oldest sons are in the United States Army, and the other children are at home.
Also surviving are three brothers and two sisters; Ben, Fred and Will Von Sien of this city; Miss Anna Von Sien of New York City; Mrs. Charles Brown of Alhambra, Calif.; Mrs. Emma Fehmer, Los Angeles, California and Mrs. Fred Minske of Brainerd, Minn.
Funeral services were held Monday and burial was in California.

The Waseca Herald (Waseca, MN.)
Thu., Apr. 23, 1942
Mrs. Clara Perdew, a former Waseca girl and sister of Ben and Fred Von Sien, died at her home in Alhambra, Calif. (*No, she lived in Alta Loma, and she died at San Antonio Community hospital), last Friday afternoon. She had been confined in a hospital, but was able to be about after being released several weeks ago. (*She was apparently readmitted to the hospital where she died.)
Mrs. Perdew was 56 years of age and was born in Woodville Township. She left Waseca for California about 25 years ago. She is survived by her husband, three sons and two daughters. Funeral and burial services were held there.

According to her death certificate, Claire died at San Antonio Community Hospital in Upland, San Bernardino, CA. The full name on her death certificate was 'Dorothy Claire' Perdew.
Cause of death was: Uremia (which happens when your kidneys don't work well to filter waste and extra fluid from your blood, and your body is unable to get rid of them through urine.)
The uremia was due to: an 'infantile left kidney', which was something she was born with,
as well as a stone in the right ureter (the duct by which urine passes from the kidney to the bladder).
Claire died at 5:50pm. on April 17, 1942.
Claire had been attended by Dr. A. L. Weber for three months, from Jan. 1942 until the time of her death for this condition.
The informant was her husband, Earnest E. Perdew.