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Charles Burt Clear
B: April 1863
M: August 7, 1890 (Date from Randolph County Marriage Record. Date in obituary is 1901)
D: June 25, 1936
Buried:
 
Obituary: Union City Evening Times, Thursday, June 25, 1936. Answers Call - Charles B. Clear Union City's veteran musician passes away - Had been in failing health for years and died at nephew's home.

Charles Clear, 73, widely known as a musician and circus operator died last night at the home of his nephew Burt Hoke and family in Muncie, Ind., where he with Mrs. Clear had been visiting the past month. He had been in failing health for the past eight or nine years. His condition became serious about 10 days ago and he passed away at 6:15 Wednesday evening.

Charles Burt Clear was the son of John Daniel and Anna Frazier Clear. John D. Clear was a famous school teacher and taught in many of the district schools of this section in his day. Charles Clear was born in the old Clear place a short distance northeast of Bartonia where he lived until he was about 12 years of age, when after the death of his father he with his mother moved to Union City. Here he attended the West Side school and graduated with the class of 1884. Mrs. John Aurelius, Mrs. Ella Bristow and Mrs. Will Meek, being members of the same class.

After his graduation Charles Clear was employed on the farm and also in Union City and he took up the study of music when a young lad, playing the drum with one of our first bands. Later he took up the study of the valve trombone on which instrument he became quite proficient and for years he was one of the leading members of the Union City band. He also played trombone in the Union Grand theatre orchestra during the days of the spoken drama.
When the days of theatrical companies of that time came to an end, Mr. Clear joined many travelling organizations with which he journeyed throughout the width and breadth of the land.

His sterling honesty and upright character also won him places of trust as treasurer with a number of circuses and dramatic companies. And it can be said of him that he never betrayed a trust, nor was derelict in his duties.

He was married August 7, 1901, to Miss Emma Hoke, the talented daughter of Seth and Elizabeth Johnson Hoke. She filled many engagements with her husband and was a great aid to her husband who was a man of very pleasant personality. His many good qualities made him a man beloved by all who knew him, and he will be long remembered by the host of friends.

He is survived by one son Fred Clear and wife, one granddaughter Betty Jean Clear and two grandsons, Edward and Charles Clear and one great-granddaughter Colleen Clear.
Charles Clear was also a good Christian man and he was a member of the Christian church. He was also at one time a member of the Moose lodge. He was always willing to help in any good cause, and especially with his musical ability. The body was brought to Union City in the Fraze ambulance and the funeral will take place Saturday at 2 p. m. from the home of his son Fred Clear, 230 South Howard street, conducted by Rev. Dewey Netzger and D. W. Ward will also pay a tribute over the body of his old friend and fellow band member. Burial in the Union City cemetery.
 
Emma Hoke
B:
M: August 7, 1890 (Date from Randolph County Marriage Record. Date in obituary is 1901)
D:
Buried:
Parents: Seth and Elizabeth Johnson Hoke
 
 
Child of Charles Burt Clear and Emma Hoke
 
 
1. Fred Clear
 
B:
M:
D:
Spouse:
Children: Betty Jean, Edward, & Charles Clear