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MG 50
Clyde Timberlake

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Biographical Note

Clyde Timberlake was an active member of the Phoenix community for over forty years.  Not only did he participate in labor organizations and politics but he contributed to a number of community service organizations.  Timberlake's life reflected his interest in the printing industry, labor, civic organizations, patriotic activities and his family.

Born in Bremen, Indiana on January 7, 1890, Clyde graduated from high school in 1907 and set out for Arizona three years later. His career in printing began when he started working as a typographer at the Arizona Republic an 1913 and he continued there until 1933.  Timberlake then took a job with the Industrial Commission of Arizona as a field representative and in 1942 was employed by the Messenger Printing Company. 

Arizona labor was an important issue to Timberlake.  He was a member of the Phoenix Typographical Union for over forty years and served as President and Secretary.  He was also actively involved in the Arizona State Federation of Labor.  Clyde became the organization's Fourth Vice-President in 1928 and in 1930-1931 served as the First Vice-President.  During those years he was also on the Labor Journal Board of Control.  Timberlake was a member of the Central Labor Council and editor of the Arizona Labor Journal.

Clyde's political activities lasted throughout his lifetime.  He served as reading clerk in the state Senate during four legislative sessions and was a Precinct committee man for the Encanto precinct.  In 1922 he was a democratic candidate for Representative from District 2.  His antagonism toward Governor Hunt was reflected in a 1932 letter in which he wrote "the best interest of the working people of Arizona can be served through the defeat of Hunt and the complete smashing of the Hunt machine."

Timberlake's community service contributions were even more encompassing.  He served as director of Friendly House, East Madison Settlement and the Golden Gate Settlement.  He served on the Arizona Emergency Council from 1932-1933 and was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the United War Relief Fund from 1945-1948.  Clyde was a member of the Community Activities Board from 1943-1944 and was chairman of the Mayor's Flag Week Committee for Phoenix in 1939.

One of the most active parts of his life began in 1939 when Timberlake became a member of the Benevolent Order of the Elks of Phoenix Lodge #335.  He was exalted ruler of that lodge from 1940-1941 and took over the position of secretary during the war.  He devoted much of his life as an Elk participating in charitable activities.

Clyde Timberlake died in 1952 leaving behind his wife Mary, two sons and one daughter. 

Scope and Content

The records of Clyde Timberlake, MG 50, consists of three cubic foot boxes and one Hollinger box.  Documents include correspondence, meeting minutes, speech notes and speeches, memorandums, telegrams, resolutions, reports, receipts, photographs and radio addresses.  Other records are invitations, business cards and greeting cards.  Publications include brochures, books, a yearbook and broadsides.  The Hollinger box contains Elk artifacts.  The bulk of the material is from 1917 to 1952.  Inclusive dates span from 1907 to 1976.

These records were transferred to the Archives with criminal case exhibits from Pima County.

Inventory

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