Dolly Moore Clowes was born 17 Dec 1888 in New York City to Irish immigrants. Her mother died around 1903 and her father in 1907. She was reared in a Catholic convent. 

After high school graduation, she took a job living abroad with the Philip Holland family. He was a lawyer, working for the U.S. Consul. He and wife Corabelle [Anderson] Holland were the parents of two children: Phillip [Pito] and Isabelle. Dolly was a maid initially, and then a nanny to the children. The family was stationed in Puerto Plata, Mexico from 1910-1911 and then Saltillo, Mexico from 1911-1913 before transferring to Basel, Switzerland for ten years, 1913-1923. Following their European assignment, they were sent to Guatemala in 1923 where Mr. Holland became the U.S. Consul General in Guatemala from 1924-1927. It was in Guatemala that Dolly met her future husband William H. Clowes. 

They were married 15 Oct 1927 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. William would have been 40 years old, and Dolly, 38. They did not have any children. After four years of marriage, the couple immigrated to the United States.

Dolly’s physical description was captured in a passport application prior to entry into Switzerland for her work with the Holland family, American Consul. Her stature was 5 feet 5 inches, her complexion fair, her face oval in shape, hair a light brown, and eyes, gray. 

William described himself in immigration paperwork as an Englishman, veteran of the British Army, Royal Corp of Engineers, who worked in cement. He was 5 feet 5 inches tall with a fair complexion, blonde hair, and blue eyes. The couple arrived by ship to San Francisco, California on 23 Feb 1931. Their destination was Portland, Oregon. 

It was the Depression, and jobs were difficult to find even for a man with William’s skills in cement work, brick laying, and carpentry. The couple came to Salem in 1931 in search of work and rented a home at 1365 Mill St. next to the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill where William and later Dolly, were able to find work. The house was basically an empty shell, and William used his skills to fix it up. They later purchased the home in 1939. 

Dolly found work first at the cannery across the street from their home. Then, at the woolen mill as a seamstress in the finishing department. She remained at the mill for five years. Husband William was employed as a picker in the rag house. After World War II began, he left the mill for the Portland shipyards where his carpentry skills could be of use. Dolly remained behind in their Salem home. 

Following her work at the mill, Dolly went into practical nursing, and even worked for Tom Kay III, after his wife gave birth. The couple were longtime members of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and Dolly, a member of the Catholic Daughters organization. Following the death of her husband William in 1952 she continued to work and live in their home at 1365 Mill St. She died 22 Sep 1987 in Salem and was buried with William in Belcrest Memorial Cemetery. 

1934  Clowes, Wm H (Dolly) millworker, TKWM Co h 1365 Mill 

1935  Clowes, Wm H (Dolly) picker, TKWM Co h 1365 Mill 

1932 Clowes, Wm H (Dolly) bricklayer, h 1365 Mill 

1934 Clowes, Wm H (Dolly) millworker, TKWM Co h 1365 Mill 

1935 Clowes, Wm H (Dolly) picker, TKWM Co h 1365 Mill 

1940 Clowes, Wm H (Dolly) fuel handler, TKWM Co h 1365 Mill 

1942 Clowes, Wm H (Dolly) carpenter h 1365 Mill 

1945 Clowes, Dolly, textile worker TKWM Co  

1947 Clowes, Wm H (Dolly) carpenter h 1365 Mill 

1947 Clowes, Dolly Mrs seamstress TKWM Co r1365 Mill 

1952 Clowes, W H (Dolly) h 1365 Mill 

1955 Clowes, Dolly M (wid Wm H) h 1365 Mill SE 

1959  Clowes, Dolly M (wid Wm H) h 1365 Mill SE 

1960  Clowes, Dolly M (wid Wm H) h 1365 Mill SE 

1950 Dolly Clowes. Age: 62. Birth Date: abt 1888 in New York. Married, wife to HOH. Home in 1950: 1365 Mill St. Salem, Marion, OR. Occupation: Hand Sewing at Woolen Mill. Additional household members: William H. Clowes, age 62 (husband). 

Dolly Moore Clowes Birth: 17 Dec 1888. Death: 22 Sep 1987 (aged 98) Marion County, OR. Burial: Belcrest Memorial Park, Salem, Marion County, OR. Plot: Block 18 Section 64 Lot 6. Memorial ID: 82762386 

OR Statesman 17 Apr 1940, p. 5 – concrete lawn roller stolen 

OR Statesman 27 Nov 1945, p. 12 – Toys, well-made rock horses 

OR Statesman 26 Dec 1946, p. 5 – photo of W.H. Clowes with concrete fences that resemble wood 

OR Statesman 30 Aug 1952, p. 5 – Obituary (William) 

Statesman Journal 24 Sep 1987, p. 12 – Obituary (Dolly) 

M3 1994-016-0024     Oral History (Dolly Clowes)