Verner M. Claybourn writes, "Ephraim Smith Claybourn was a fine machinist and a most efficient steam engineer." On the Mississippi River he was stationed on the U.S. Dredge Fleet at Memphis, Tenn., first as chief engineer of a twenty inch centrifugal dredge. In this capacity he conducted several important tests of engines, boilers, fuels, etc., under different conditions, speeds, etc., and with the dredges using different types of pumping equipment. The results and deductions arrived at were published by F.B. Maltby, then Superintendent of Drudging, in the "Engineering News" about 1902.

Uncle "Dock" was advanced to Master of Dredges and later to Master Mechanic in which capacity he built and operated the extensive shops necessary to keep up the dredging plant which at that time included eight of the largest dredges afloat, five large stern-wheel tow-boats, four smaller survey boats, three or four other large tenders and numerous smaller craft such as pile drivers, air compressors, barges for many purposes and a sectional floating drydock which was built on the spot.

When he went to Panama, he designed and constructed the Cristobal drydock shops and rebuilt the "Old French" dock to accomodate vessels of 300 foot length and about 25 foot draft. He was carried on the rolls there as Superintendent and had full charge of about 500 men. He supervised the construction of many types of machines for the different phases of that mammoth job, including the building outright of several dredges and the rehabilitation of a variety of "Old French" machinery that was adapted to the American methods of performance.

He fell from a vessel in dock to the concrete floor and broke his hip, the shock also affecting his heart so that he finally resigned. He worked on the canal about three years.

Verner adds, "I worked under him and with him for about ten years and have had ample opportunity to observe executives, both on these jobs and elsewhere, and say, unqualifiedly, he was the most efficient and at the same time the most popular executive I ever knew."

The Champaiign (Illinois) News reported the following in an article headlined, "E.S. Claybourn Hurt in Panama - Died in Champaign - Was Born at Dix"

Ephraim Smith Claybourn died at his home in Champaign Sunday. Mr. Claybourn was born near Dix, Jefferson County (Ill.), February 8, 1851. He was the father of seven children, four of whom, with his widow, survive.

Mr. Claybourn was married on August 20, 1870, to Mary J. Dudley. They came to Urbana 34 years ago and to Champaign 25 years ago. Mr. Claybourn died in the house to which they moved from Urbana at 410 W. White St. The cause of his death was a rupture of the heart, caused by an accident which happened August 15, 1906, while he was superintendent of floating equipment on the Isthmian Canal.

Mr. Claybourn had an interesting life. He entered the service of the government in 1891 as an engineer on the Missouri River. In 1892 he was transferred to the Mississippi River as chief engineer, which position he held until 1905, when he was again transferred to the more important work of the government, and in a position where the government assembled its best engineers, on the Isthmian Canal construction , where he was again promoted to the position of superintendent of all floating equipment of the government property on the Canal Zone. He was recognized as a man of more than ordinary executive ability and had excellent control of the men under him and by them was regarded as a most excellent friend, as is shown by the many inquiries as to his condition while he was here sick. Mr. Claybourn had been practically disqualified from performing his duties almost ever since his injuries.

As "Doc" Claybourn he was more familiarly known to many persons. In fact many of his most intimate acquaintences never knew any other name. The funeral was held at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon from the residence with the Odd Fellows in attendance. Rev. E.B. Rogers officiated.

Pedigree Chart

						Joshua Claybourn (Clibborn) 1758 - 1799
				Ephraim Claybourn 1788 - 1850
						Sarah
		William Divine Claybourn 1819 - 1896
				Mary "Polly" Browning 1792 - 1874
						Sally Browning
Emphraim Smith Claybourn 1851 - 1909
				Reuben Hawker b. 1794
		Frances Alla Hawker 1820 - 1863
				Nancy Hawker b. 1796

Descendants

Ephraim Smith Claybourn and Mary Jane had seven children:

1. Charles Claybourn was born 6 April 1873 and married Ms. Agnes Dunbar. He worked for a farm implement company and once lived at 518 New Yrok Ave., Peoria, Ill. Charles died on 1 November 1950. He and Agnes had five children:

   1. Willis Franklin Claybourn (called "Bill") was born 22 Oct. 1896 and had no children. He served in World War I.

   2. Dunbar Claybourn (called "Ding") was born 24 June 1901. He married Dorothy Dunbar but had no children. As with his brother Willis, Dunbar served in World War I.

   3. Charles Todd Claybourn was born 17 April 1899. He married Catherine Schneider and they had two children:
      1. Jack C. Claybourn was born in 1927 and died in 2003. He was married and later divorced, but had no children.
      2. Joyce Marie Claybourn Stutsman was born on 22 January 1930 and died in September of 1973. She married Allen C. Stutsman of Spring Bay Road, East Peoria, Illinoi. They had three daughers:
         1. Deborah Stutsman
         2. Donna Stutsman
         3. Rebecca Stutsman ("Becky") was a world champion skeet shooter.

   4. Robert Claybourn was born 8 Jan. 1907 and married a woman named Florence (last name unknown). They had one daughter, Ellen, who may have been a step-son to Robert.

   5. Edwin ("Eddie") Claybourn was born 4 March 1911 in East St. Louis, Illinois. He married Irene Mitchell (born 30 July 1920 and died 4 July 1971) of Galesburg, Illinois. Eddie worked as a Caterpillar, Inc. engineer and retired in 1973. They lived and died in Peoria, Illinois, and had two children:
      1. Patricia Claybourn
      2. Delores ("Dee") Claybourn Wills married Jack Dwaine Wills on 16 August 1960 and divorced him on 18 March 1982. Dee was employed by Peoria County as a supervisor in the criminal division of the Circuit Clerk's office. She and Jack had three children:
         1. Kathie Dee Wills was born on 16 Feb. 1961 and lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She worked for Northwest Bank.
         2. Scott Dwaine Wills was born on 29 June 1963 and lived in New Port Richy, Florida. He worked as a painter.
         3. Christopher Edwin Wills was born 6 September 1968.

2. Maude Claybourn lived between 1877-1904. She married but had no children.

3. Daisy Claybourn was born in 1879 and died before the age of eighteen in 1896. She did not marry.

4. Grace Myrtle Claybourn was born on 28 March 1882. She was the Chief State Officer of the Pythian Sisters. She married Earnest Thomas Hubbard. He served in World War I and worked for the post office. They lived at 35 E. Green St. in Champaign, Ill. and did not have children. Thomas died on 5 March 1953, and Grace died on 6 Dec. 1957.

5. Helen Claybourn was born on 5 April 1888. She married on 8 June 1910 to Jamie L. Olmstead, formerly of E. Moline, Ill. They lived at 35 E. Green St. in Champaign, Ill. and had no children.

6. Harriet Claybourn: nothing more is known about Harriet other than her name.

7. Elizabeth Claybourn: nothing more is known about Elizabeth other than her name.