Hardin, Todd are pioneers of the year

By Mary Beth Nelson

W.K Hardin and Claudine Todd have been named as Clarendon’s Pioneer Man and Woman of the Year for 2001.

W.K, born September 17, 1909, in Hardin County, Tennessee, moved to Donley County in 1922 with his parents, Watt and Lola Hardin, one brother, Hall, and three sisters, Ruth Cearley, Mary K. Todd, and Annie Marie Estes. Another brother, Homer, was born to the family after their move from Tennessee.

Settling in Sunny View community, six miles east of Clarendon, the Hardins continued farming, a lifelong occupation to which W.K. has been happily dedicated. He grins as he mentions the family’s first car, a Model T with curtains for windows.

“In the summertime, we’d take the curtains off,” recollects our Pioneer Man of the Year.

In 1940, W.K. entered an Army one-year training program. After Pearl Harbor’s 1941 bombing, he spent 36 months in Europe and North Africa serving as wench operator in 591st Engineer Boat Regiment. After his World War II service discharge in 1945, he returned to the farm.

June 10, 1947, W.K. married Maxine Ellis, daughter of former Clarendon Doctor T.H. Ellis and Elizabeth Dyer Ellis. After a Colorado Springs honeymoon where the prestigious Broadmoor Hotel charged $23.00 a day (meals included), W.K. and Maxine established residence at 902 West 3rd Street where they currently reside. They attend Clarendon’s Episcopal Church and have parented five children – David, Cheryl, Shauna, Brent, and Kelli.

This hard-working gentleman continued to farm for 50 years. Is he still active? To answer that question, one has only to drive by his home to see an immense, flourishing garden and well-kept lawn on lovely, spacious grounds to which he tends, himself. Spending only three or four days in a hospital during his entire life, he remains healthy and enjoys staying busy with his accomplishments. While discussing his eagerness and obvious zest for daily work, W.K. remarked, “When I die, I want to have my shoes on.”

W.K and Maxine are both avid readers. His reading preference extends from National Geographic and numerous other magazines to authors, Louis L’Lamour and John Grisham.

Through the years, W.K Hardin has supported the Clarendon community and is proud to be one of its citizens. He sums it up best in his statement, “Clarendon is the best little town in the country.”

Claudine has always expressed a special pride in the Clarendon community of which she has been a loyal citizen most of her life.

Her earlier years were spent in Comanche County, her birthplace on January 24, 1911. At age 13, she moved to Brice, Texas, with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.T. Smallwood, and two sisters, Frankie McAnear and Mamie Cross.

Claudine was never a stranger to farm life. Having cut stalks and plowed, she relates, “I helped my daddy with farm work every day. I really liked the horses.”

With a sparkle in her eye, she reminisces about Clarendon’s early days. Her fondness isn’t concealed when she mentions Perkins’ variety store, Piggly Wiggly, Taylor’s Hardware, Rathjen’s shoe store, Stocking’s Drug Store, Caraway’s Cafe, and Clifford’s Grocery store. She loved the Saturday afternoon visits with “everybody” on Clarendon’s “buzzing” main street, and munching popcorn while absorbed in a Tom Mix movie at Mulkey Theater. A few years later, she attended Clarendon High School and Clarendon College.

Through the years, our charming Pioneer Woman of the Year and husband, Bill Todd, whom she married in August 1935, has vividly and constantly supported Clarendon’s growth.

One of the most invaluable contributions anyone can make to their community was made by Claudine Todd during her 41 year teaching career. Parents, students, and professional people will always remember her matchless encouragement and concern for Clarendon’s children.  When they realized she had something valuable to offer them, respect, desire, and possibility to succeed usually became more dominant in their lives. Her priceless, lasting contribution of touching so many lives in a positive way is irreplaceable.

Clarendon folks and Claudine share a mutual respect for our community. “Donley County has been good to me, and is made up of the best of people. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

Congratulations to W.K. and Claudine as Pioneers of the Year.