Facebook Mail RSS Twitter
  • Everyday
    • Education
    • Neighborhood Notes
  • Sports
  • Food & Art
    • Artist Profiles
    • Food Shopping
    • Local Farmers
    • Music
    • Restaurants
  • Community Channels
    • Around the House
      • Home Inspection Services
      • Insurance
        • Insurance Agent – Melanie Bakala
      • Real Estate Agents in Thurston County Covering Olympia Lacey Tumwater Yelm and beyond
    • Business Networking
      • Chamber
        • Chamber of Commerce
      • Economic Development Council
      • Rotary
        • Gateway Rotary
    • Community Talker
      • Instagram Article Feed
    • Health and Wellness
      • Hospital + Medical Center
      • Physical Therapy
    • Media Partners
      • Thurston Community Media
      • NorthAmericaTalk
    • Mentoring (Big Brothers Big Sisters)
    • Movies
    • Olympia Farmers Market
    • City, County and Government Information
      • People in Public Service
      • City of Lacey, Washington
      • City of Olympia, Washington
      • City of Tumwater, Washington
      • City of Yelm, Washington
      • City, County and Port Meetings
      • Port of Olympia
      • Thurston County Washington
    • Senior Life
      • Cemetery Products
      • In-Home Care
      • Senior Services for South Sound
    • Services
      • Auto Repair
      • Pet Emergency
    • South Puget Sound Community College
    • Thurston County Podcast
  • Featured Businesses
    • Around The House
    • Health Care
    • Local Retail Shops
    • Services
    • Women in Business
  • History
  • Photos
    • Community Events
    • Local Attractions
    • Sporting Events
  • Non-Profits
  • LocalTalk
  • Activities
    • Dogs & Pets
    • Family & Kids
    • Indoor
    • Outdoor
    • Gardening
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Biking
    • Camping
    • Hiking
    • Running
    • Parks and Beaches
    • Thrifty Thurston
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Post an Event
  • Calendar
  • Travel
    • Day Trips
    • Overnight Trips
  • Podcast
Search
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
  • About
    • Story
    • Team
    • Company News
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
    • How our Olympia advertising works
    • Launch a Campaign
    • Grow your Audience
    • Measure the Results
    • Company News
    • Contact
  • Events
    • Community Calendar
    • Articles
    • List an Event
  • I5 Traffic Cameras
Facebook Mail RSS Twitter
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
ThurstonTalk
  • Everyday
    • AllEducationNeighborhood Notes
      A group of veteran graduates, five sitting in chairs, one with a baby in her lap, 9 people standing behind them. 6 of the people have white graduation stoles. One has a yellow stole

      Saint Martin’s University Empowers Military-Affiliated Students With Gold Standard Services

      intercity transit route 620 sitting at the lakewood sounder station

      Intercity Transit Express Routes Expands Bus Service to Thurston County and…

      a man and woman lay on a towel in the grass in swimsuits with a boy standing on the towel in a swimsuit. Behind them people are int eh water and walk along it. There also people on the dock at Capitol Lake

      Olympia History: Swimming at Capitol Lake Park

      kids sit in the grass. One with a pile of sticks in front of her. Another is arching back with hands and feet beneath her, looking upside down at the camera

      Sequoia’s Farm and Forest School Open Enrollment and Open House for…

  • Sports
  • Food & Art
    • AllArtist ProfilesFood ShoppingLocal FarmersMusicRestaurants
      Rendering of a spacious cafeteria-style building with people sitting and walking around

      New Restaurant in Downtown Olympia Opening Soon

      Unique Pop-Up Vendor Brings Dirty Sodas to Olympia Area

      a bottle of Woodborne Spirits vodka with chantrelle mushrooms lying around it

      From Forest to Bottle: Woodborne Spirits turns Chanterelles into Award-Winning Gin…

      a bowl of bao with a red spoon with broth held over it. A bao is being held above the spoon with chopsticks

      Get Your Bao Some Bao in Thurston County: New Dough Zone…

  • Community Channels
    • Around the House
      • Home Inspection Services
      • Insurance
        • Insurance Agent – Melanie Bakala
      • Real Estate Agents in Thurston County Covering Olympia Lacey Tumwater Yelm and beyond
    • Business Networking
      • Chamber
        • Chamber of Commerce
      • Economic Development Council
      • Rotary
        • Gateway Rotary
    • Community Talker
      • Instagram Article Feed
    • Health and Wellness
      • Hospital + Medical Center
      • Physical Therapy
    • Media Partners
      • Thurston Community Media
      • NorthAmericaTalk
    • Mentoring (Big Brothers Big Sisters)
    • Movies
    • Olympia Farmers Market
    • City, County and Government Information
      • People in Public Service
      • City of Lacey, Washington
      • City of Olympia, Washington
      • City of Tumwater, Washington
      • City of Yelm, Washington
      • City, County and Port Meetings
      • Port of Olympia
      • Thurston County Washington
    • Senior Life
      • Cemetery Products
      • In-Home Care
      • Senior Services for South Sound
    • Services
      • Auto Repair
      • Pet Emergency
    • South Puget Sound Community College
    • Thurston County Podcast
  • Featured Businesses
    • AllAround The HouseHealth CareLocal Retail ShopsServicesWomen in Business
      A Boggs home inspection technician reaches up to test a shower head in a home

      Boggs Inspection Services Spotlights Commonly Overlooked Home Maintenance

      three wusthof junior knifes laying in a row on a towel

      It’s Peak Season to Shop The Rolling Pin on Olympia’s West…

      a woman and two young girls pose for a photo in front of a step-and-repeat that says Inspire Women's Business Conference. WCWB Washington Center for Women in Business, Thurston EDC Center for Business & Innovation. An orange block of color is in the left hand lower corner and it has a smiling sun and the words Enlightenment Home Care LLC

      Caregiver Sonnie Gay Brightens Lives at Enlightenment Home Care

      a woman standing on a paved trail bent over with a hand on her knee

      360 Chiropractic in Lacey Says: ‘It’s Time to Break Up With…

  • History
    • a man and woman lay on a towel in the grass in swimsuits with a boy standing on the towel in a swimsuit. Behind them people are int eh water and walk along it. There also people on the dock at Capitol Lake

      Olympia History: Swimming at Capitol Lake Park

      Looking West down 5th Avenue, Olympia, WA, 1942

      Thurston County History: Olympia’s Mickey Mouse Club Cheered Kids During the…

      Go Boating With Olympia Outboard Club

      A life-size cardboard cutout of reformer Susan B. Anthony stands next to the red velvet chair she reportedly sat in at the Bigelow House. A desk with flowers and pamphlets are behind the cut out and a tied shelf is next to the chair with different porcelain vases and pitchers on it.

      Suffragist Susan B. Anthony Visited Olympia in 1871 to Address Territorial…

      Tenino Moves Historic Train Depot, 1975

  • Photos
    • AllCommunity EventsLocal AttractionsSporting Events
      capital city pride

      Thousands Gather in Olympia to Celebrate Capital City Pride 2018

      procession species olympia

      Luminary Procession 2018: Lighting Up the Rainy Night in Downtown Olympia

      snowy winter scene

      ThurstonTalk Readers Capture Christmas Snow

      Twinklefest 2017

      Twinklefest 2017 Window Displays

  • Non-Profits
    • TOGETHER! Strengthens Commitment to Serving Latino Youth Through La Cima Bilingual…

      The Sound Youth Neurodiversity Collective Provides Collaborative Care for All Ages

      three people stand in the back of the South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity's new truck, with two people standing on ground next to it.

      South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity Expands Work Effort With New…

      a group of kids and two adults stand under a ductless A/C system, pointing to it with one hand and giving a thumbs up with the other.

      In-Kind Donations Help Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County Focus…

      a woman leans over an older youth in a wheelchair, there are other adults and kids in a playground in the background

      South Sound Parent to Parent Invites Community to Join Them in…

  • LocalTalk
    • State Awards $14.6 Million in Grants to Protect and Restore Puget…

      Old-Growth-Douglas-Fir-Tree-and-Resource-Advisor with fire repellent sheet over the trunk

      Bear Gulch Fire: Update August 15

      Thurston Chamber Releases 2025 Quality of Life Index

      Thurston County’s Largest Day of Volunteerism Returns September 26

      Emanuel Scott posing for a photo in front of tall evergreen trees

      Emanuel Scott Hired as Head Men’s Wrestling Coach at The Evergreen…

  • Activities
    • AllDogs & PetsFamily & KidsIndoorOutdoorGardeningOutdoor RecreationBikingCampingHikingRunningParks and BeachesThrifty Thurston
      sun rising on a foggy morning over a tree-lined lake in Grays Harbor

      Where to Go Trout Fishing in Grays Harbor

      a woman in black tights in a black sweater with orange trim stands in frton of a cute house that is decorated like a friendly Haunted house with smiling ghosts over the windows, and friendly Jack-o-lanterns everywhere. Fake cobwebs are draped around it. A sign reads BOO-CODA Spooktacgar, Spooktacular

      Fall Activities Near Olympia

      Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance Museum gallery, with photos on the wall, a light up cabinet with items in it and a tri fold, free standing display with photos and graphics on it

      Free Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance Museum Now Open

      Listen to the Music of Trees at Squaxin Park with Julie…

  • Events
    • Four women post on a stage. The two on either ends are in black pant suits, the one on the left middle in a red gown that says Miss Washington's Teen and the middle right in a green gown with a sash that says Miss Washington. A large screen with a crown on it and the Word's 'Miss Washington' on either side is in the background

      Big Dreams are Sponsored by Miss Washington Competition Scholarships

      a woman in black tights in a black sweater with orange trim stands in frton of a cute house that is decorated like a friendly Haunted house with smiling ghosts over the windows, and friendly Jack-o-lanterns everywhere. Fake cobwebs are draped around it. A sign reads BOO-CODA Spooktacgar, Spooktacular

      Fall Activities Near Olympia

      Young girl showing her arm with pink bandage after got vaccinated or inoculation, child immunization, covid delta vaccine concept

      Upcoming Childhood Immunization Clinics are Free in Thurston County

      Asian young girl showing her arm with pink bandage after got vaccinated or inoculation, child immunization, covid delta vaccine concept

      Próximas clínicas de vacunación infantil gratuitas en el condado de Thurston

      OlyFed Celebrates 10 Years in Yelm Community

    • Calendar
    • Post an Event
  • Calendar
  • Travel
    • Day Trips
    • Overnight Trips
  • Podcast
Home People in Public Service People in Public Service: Clara Patton Van Etten

People in Public Service: Clara Patton Van Etten

By
Jennifer Crooks
-
Clara Van Etten
This October 3, 1920, Oregonian image shows Clara Van Etten and some of the children she cared for in Smyrna. Photo courtesy: Washington State Library

Share via:

63 Shares
  • More
FacebookTweetPin

In the summer of 1920, in an orphanage in Symnra, Turkey, hundreds of orphans and Armenian officials gathered to present Clara Van Etten, an Olympia woman, a gold medal for her services at the orphanage. Two years later, the city was taken by Turkish forces and burned, killing thousands of civilians and scattering survivors.

Clara Elizabeth was born on July 25, 1860, to John Malcolm and Sarah Elizabeth Graham Patton in Pana, Illinois. When Clara was a baby, the family moved to the Salt River Township in Shelby County, Missouri, where they ran a boarding house for Irish railroad workers. The Civil War turned Missouri into a battlefield and there was vicious guerilla fighting between both sides. The Pattons fled to Quincy, Illinois, and her father served in the Union military.

The Pattons were very supportive of their children’s education. Her sister Ella became a medical doctor while another sister Marion worked for the government in Arizona and Washington state. Clara graduated from Quincy High School in 1875 and became an educator, teaching seventh grade in Quincy.

But teaching was not her dream. In 1881, she was appointed assistant clerk to the enrolling and engrossing clerk of the state house of representatives in Springfield, Illinois. In 1883, she was promoted to her boss’s position. On November 26, 1884, Clara married Charles Calhoun Van Etten and moved to Chicago. They had one son, John Calhoun Van Etten (1893-1963). Charles died in 1897.

Clara Van Etten 1925
Clara Van Etten, as seen in this April 2, 1925, Oregonian image worked in various Washington State offices throughout her career. Photo courtsy: Washington State Library

Now a widow, Clara moved to Olympia, where her parents lived (her father had been made Pacific Northwest postal inspector in 1890). Clara did secretarial and stenographic work at various Washington state offices, including the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Railroad Commission, Department of Public Lands and the Public Service Commission.

Clara was also active in her community and belonged to many clubs, including the Woman’s Club of Olympia, Ladies Aid of the Congregational Church and Eenati club.

Her capabilities were recognized during World War I when she was made the only female member of the “Four Minute Men.” This was a national organization of patriotic speakers. They often gave speeches in movie theaters while the film reels were being changed, which took about four minutes, giving them the name Four Minute Men.

Clara spoke at Liberty Bond rallies, recruited Red Cross members and spoke in movie theaters. In April 1918, Clara brought her audience at the Strand Theater to tears by reading a letter from her son, an officer in the U. S. Signal Corps, writing about how he had bought a doll for a poor French village girl.

In June 1918, she was appointed by the Thurston County Council of Defense as chair for the Olympia district for commercial economy where she worked with local merchants and customers to reduce deliveries and keep limits on prices.

Once World War I ended however, her work was not done. During the war and afterwards, Turkey committed genocide against the Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks. War had broken out between Greece and Turkey (where over a million Greeks lived). As a member of Near East Relief (also called the American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief and the American Committee for Near East Relief), Van Etten took a year’s leave of absence from the Public Service Commission and left Olympia in January 1919, stopping in France (where she saw members of the 91st infantry from Fort Lewis) before arriving in Constantinople (now Istanbul).

Clara became director of the Central Armenian Orphanage in Smyrna, Turkey, which housed nearly 500 boys. Fuel was often lacking as well as beds. The city was then occupied by the Greek military and was crowded with refugees, many of them orphaned by conflict. The situation was grim. She sent special columns to the Oregonian and Olympia newspapers, describing the orphanage, local culture and a visit to Ephesus.

Smyrna 1922
Clara Van Etten of Olympia ran an orphanage in Symrna, Turkey, in 1920. This photo shows the city’s business district as it looked in 1922. Photo courtesy: Library of Congress, item 2009633137

In July 1920, Clara arrived back in the United States, accompanying several Armenian orphans who were joining relatives in the United States. Back in Olympia, Clara dedicated herself to sharing what she had seen. She talked to groups throughout Thurston County and western Washington.

In December 1920, she was made leader of a drive to support children in Europe and the Near East. Under the motto “have an orphan at your dinner table in spirit for Christmas, if not in body.” Partnering with fraternal lodges and churches, she opened the campaign at Crane’s Cafe. In the end, they raised $3,439.90, beating their goal. A store donated 275 pairs of children’s stockings and 197 knit caps.

Clara went back to clerical work. The National Committee of the Republican Party made her a presidential campaign speaker in 1920, and in 1921 Clara worked in Seattle as a special expert for the Veterans’ Welfare Commission. Returning to Olympia, Clara was a secretary in the State Department of Public Works in 1925. In 1929 she even was running the office when John C. Denny was forced to resign after a political fight with Governor Roland Hartley.

Clara Van Etten passed away on March 19, 1931. Her legacy of helping others lives on in the agencies she assisted and in the children she nurtured.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
FacebookTweetPin

Share via:

63 Shares
  • More
Previous articleOlympia’s Music in the Park Calls for Performers
Next articleNWC Boys Basketball off to Hot Start Behind Returning Phillips
Jennifer Crooks

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Dispute Resolution Center board member Eileen Yoshina (right) handing a glass trophy Peacemaker Award to Lonnie Locke (left)

People in Public Service: Lonnie Locke

Jason Mason, Tumwater Police Department Chief of Police

People in Public Service: Get to Know New Tumwater Chief of Police Jay Mason

People in Public Service: Cassandra Messegee Brown, Thurston County Superintendent of Schools

Upcoming Events

Aug
20
Wed
7:00 pm Summer Lecture Series @ Norm Dicks Visitor Center Auditorium, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Summer Lecture Series @ Norm Dicks Visitor Center Auditorium, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Aug 20 @ 7:00 pm
Summer Lecture Series @ Norm Dicks Visitor Center Auditorium, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
38th Annual Summer Lecture Series in July and August 2025 brings an exciting lineup of great guest speakers for the 38th Annual Summer Lecture Series! This event brings high quality speakers on a variety of natural[...]
View Calendar
Add
  • Add to Timely Calendar
  • Add to Google
  • Add to Outlook
  • Add to Apple Calendar
  • Add to other calendar
  • Export to XML

Local Community Sponsors

Local Community Sponsors

Business

A Boggs home inspection technician reaches up to test a shower head in a home

Boggs Inspection Services Spotlights Commonly Overlooked Home Maintenance

As adults, we start to notice a slightly odd trend. Namely that you’ve got a favorite burner on the stove, preferred spatula for scrambling...
three wusthof junior knifes laying in a row on a towel

It’s Peak Season to Shop The Rolling Pin on Olympia’s West...

a woman and two young girls pose for a photo in front of a step-and-repeat that says Inspire Women's Business Conference. WCWB Washington Center for Women in Business, Thurston EDC Center for Business & Innovation. An orange block of color is in the left hand lower corner and it has a smiling sun and the words Enlightenment Home Care LLC

Caregiver Sonnie Gay Brightens Lives at Enlightenment Home Care

a woman standing on a paved trail bent over with a hand on her knee

360 Chiropractic in Lacey Says: ‘It’s Time to Break Up With...

Bank of the Pacific Branch Manager Rick Abrego standing at a desk with four women who work for Bank of the Pacific standing on the other side of it

Bank of the Pacific’s New Branch Manager in Long Beach Brings...

Trending Now

intercity transit route 620 sitting at the lakewood sounder station

Intercity Transit Express Routes Expands Bus Service to Thurston County and...

Lacey Roller Derby Player Competes at Roller Derby Worlds in Austria

a man and woman lay on a towel in the grass in swimsuits with a boy standing on the towel in a swimsuit. Behind them people are int eh water and walk along it. There also people on the dock at Capitol Lake

Olympia History: Swimming at Capitol Lake Park

Editor Picks

intercity transit route 620 sitting at the lakewood sounder station

Intercity Transit Express Routes Expands Bus Service to Thurston County and...

a woman in black tights in a black sweater with orange trim stands in frton of a cute house that is decorated like a friendly Haunted house with smiling ghosts over the windows, and friendly Jack-o-lanterns everywhere. Fake cobwebs are draped around it. A sign reads BOO-CODA Spooktacgar, Spooktacular

Fall Activities Near Olympia

Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance Museum gallery, with photos on the wall, a light up cabinet with items in it and a tri fold, free standing display with photos and graphics on it

Free Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance Museum Now Open

Recent Posts

  • Lacey Roller Derby Player Competes at Roller Derby Worlds in Austria
  • Saint Martin’s University Empowers Military-Affiliated Students With Gold Standard Services
  • State Awards $14.6 Million in Grants to Protect and Restore Puget Sound Estuaries, Shorelines and Salmon Habitat
  • Where to Go Trout Fishing in Grays Harbor
  • Intercity Transit Express Routes Expands Bus Service to Thurston County and Beyond
ABOUT US
ThurstonTalk is a community social network delivering positive stories about what it’s like to live, work and play in Thurston County Washington, including Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Tenino and the surrounding area. Advertise with ThurstonTalk. Brand your business and tell your story to your target market.
Contact us: info@thurstontalk.com
FOLLOW US
Facebook Mail RSS Twitter
  • About
    • Story
    • Team
    • Company News
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
    • How our Olympia advertising works
    • Launch a Campaign
    • Grow your Audience
    • Measure the Results
    • Company News
    • Contact
  • Events
    • Community Calendar
    • Articles
    • List an Event
  • I5 Traffic Cameras
© ThurstonTalk, Inc.
Share via
Facebook
X (Twitter)
LinkedIn
Mix
Email
Print
Copy Link
Powered by Social Snap
Copy link
CopyCopied
Powered by Social Snap