Person:Frank Clements (1)

Biography from Otterbein.edu

“The genuine son of Otterbein,” Frank O. Clements has been described as “a scholar, a scientist, a pioneer in the unexplored realms of new truth.” He earned his bachelor’s (1896) and master’s degrees (1898) from Otterbein, and the University later bestowed him with an Honorary Doctor of Science degree (1929). In order to pay his way through graduate school at The Ohio State University, he taught freshman chemistry and met a student, Charles F. Kettering, who became instrumental in his life.

Frank was a chemist for the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Union Pacific Railroad and the National Cash Register Co. In 1916, Charles, who had originated and manufactured automobile ignition and lighting equipment, invited Frank to become the organizer and director of a new research laboratory which later became the General Motors Research Laboratories. Frank retired as the technical director of the lab in 1939.

During his tenure, he served as an alumni trustee on the Otterbein Board of Trustees for 26 years beginning in 1918, and served as the chairman for 11 years. He was one of the first three Otterbein alumni inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame in 1968, which then posthumously honored nationally-recognized alumni.

Frank once said, “I now know that the law of the universe is service, the atmosphere of service is peace, the miracle of service is that you are never defeated. In service nothing is lost; and this is the only way to usefulness, happiness and a really effective life.”

After his death in 1948, Vida continued their commitment to Otterbein. In 1956, Otterbein built Clements Hall, a residence hall for female students. When she died in 1968, the Clements Foundation and the Vida S. Clements Scholarship were established. Since 1971, the Clements’ home has proudly served as the residence of Otterbein presidents. The Clements Foundation was also instrumental in funding the construction of the Clements Recreation Center, which was dedicated in 2002.

The Clements’ legacy—their generous gifts, hearts and service—have touched countless lives in the Otterbein community.

1. ↑ Clements and Shauck, in Ohio, United States. Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016. (FamilySearch)
   10 May 1923.

   Licking County, Ohio. FRANK O. CLEMENTS m. Vida Shauck, 10 May 1923.

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Clements, Frank O., in Ohio, United States. County Death Records, 1840-2001
   8 May 1948.

   FRANK O. CLEMENTS, married to Vida, resident of 111 N. West Street, died in Westerville, Franklin County, Ohio, 8 May 1948; research chemist; b. 9 Nov 1873 in Westerville, Ohio, s/o Ransom Clements, b. in Ohio, and Sarah McClintock, b. in Ohio; buried 11 Nov 1948 in Otterbein Cemetery.

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Clements, Frank O., in Wayne, Michigan, United States. 1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication T626)
   1930.

   Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. HOH: FRANK O. CLEMENTS, 56, b. abt 1874 in Ohio; his parents b. in Ohio; h/o Vida S. Clements, 50.

4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Interments, in City of Westerville, Ohio, United States.

   http://www.westerville.org/services/public-service/cemetery-local-history/interments/interments-c-rev

5. ↑ Franklin, Ohio, United States. Auditor Records..

   http://property.franklincountyauditor.com/_web/datalets/datalet.aspx?mode=sales_summary&sIndex=0&idx=2&LMparent=20

6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} Clements, Frank O., in Franklin, Ohio, United States. 1940 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   1940.

   Westerville, Franklin County, Ohio. HOH: FRANK O. CLEMMENTS, 66, b. abt 1874 in Ohio; formerly living in Detroit, Michigan; h/o Visa S. Clemments, 59.

7. ↑ ^7.0 7.1 Clements, Frankie, in Ohio, United States. Ohio Births and Christenings, 1821-1962. (Online: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)
   9 Nov 1873.

   Westerville, Franklin County, Ohio. FRANKIE CLEMENTS, b. 9 Nov 1873, s/o Ransom Clements and Sarah Mcclintick.

8. ↑ ^8.0 8.1 Clements and Fouts, in Ohio, United States. Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016. (FamilySearch)
   7 Sep 1900.

   Franklin County, Ohio. F.O. CLEMENTS, 27, b. abt 1873 in Westerville, Ohio, d/o Ransom Clements and Sarah Mcclintock; m. Edith Luella Fouts, 33, b. abt 1867, d/o Samuel E. Fouts and Julia S. Shank.

9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2} Clements, Frank, in Montgomery, Ohio, United States. 1910 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication T624)
   1910.

   Dayton, Ward 4, Montgomery County, Ohio. HOH: FRANK CLEMENTS, 36, b. abt 1874 in Ohio; his parents b. in Ohio; h/o Edith L., 42, b. in Ohio. No others in household.

10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2} Clements, Ransom, in Fairfield, Ohio, United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule
    1880.

    Hocking, Fairfield County, Ohio. HOH: Ransom Clements, 40; h/o Sarah, 39; f/o FRANKLIN CLEMENTS, 6.

11. ↑ ^{11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11} Three Lifetimes of Service - The Clements and Their Foundation.

    Power Point presentation created by Otterbein University Archivist Stephen D. Grinch, and presented for the first time on October 1, 2016 at the Otterbein "O" Club homecoming dinner program at Hilton/Polaris.