By Edres Bryant Barney
Clarence Delwin was born March 27, 1887, to Anna Johanna Wilhelmsen and William Charles Davis in St. Johns, Navajo, Arizona Territory. The family moved to Clifton, and it was there that Clarence grew up. He was the first Mormon missionary to leave from the Clifton Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After his mission, he married Mary Ethel Ferrin in the Logan, Utah Temple on July 21, 1909. Mary Ethel was the daughter of Robert Samuel Ferrin and Zobedia Adelia Crockett, born Dec. 30, 1887, the first of 10 children.
Clarence worked in the mines in Miami for several years, and then the family moved to Pima, where he worked as a mechanic in Angus Maloy’s garage.
He organized the first Pima School band and the first town band in Pima. He taught several young people horn lessons. He was a clerk in the Webb Store. He found employment with Charlie Clawson, who managed the Jennings Lumber Yard in Pima. When Charlie was transferred to the Safford yard, Clarence took over the management of the Pima Yard for several years until it closed.
Mary Ethel Ferrin was taught early on to enjoy honest labor and a “job well done”. She was always busy helping at home and sometimes with her father in the field. In those days, girls and boys were called upon to assist at harvest time. Work, however, did not fill their lives. There was always time for entertainment. Ethel was ready and willing to participate in plays, musicals, and Fourth of July celebrations. Costume balls were a favorite with both young and old alike.
After their marriage, Clarence joined in on all the festivities. They raised eight children, all contributing to the growth and development of the community.
Their children include Delsa Ethel (Phil McBride), Mahala Antonette (Freeman M. Palmer), Delwin Ferrin (Doreen Taylor), Cloyd Woodrow (Edith Allred), Nonda (Gus Hansen), Norma (Alfred Leon Moody), Ray Clarence (unmarried), and LaVenda (George Norman Adair).
Their posterity was among the community’s leaders, especially in musical ability and education. Mary Ethel passed from this life on Feb. 20, 1958, with Clarence living another 15 years, passing away on March 19, 1973. They both rest in the Mesa Cemetery.
