Clements, R Canon 1999-12-07
Canon Clements talks about his childhood, going to school at Texas Tech, then Harvard University. He also tells about his experience becoming a Rogue [Rhodes] Scholar, attending Oxford University, summer vacations overseas, his banking career, and return to West Texas and family business.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: R. Canon Clements
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: December 7, 1999
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Daniel U. Sanchez
Length: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
Clements, R. Canon, Name: Roy Canon Clements; b. February, 1913,
Story about confusion over Canon as name vs. title,
Father: Solin(?) Clements,
His family moved from East Texas to Plainview, Texas in 1901 – started a dairy,
Sold real estate,
Mother’s father was a combination minister/medical doctor,
Father’s family (again),
Family gatherings,
Early Thanksgivings on the plains,
Early Christmases,
Gifts,
Impact of the depression,
Farm animals,
Childhood play,
Location of childhood home,
Childhood play (again),
Children’s farm chores,
Education,
Grades 1 - 11 in Plainview Texas,
Family orchestra,
Played at churches,
Uncle’s political career,
Family orchestra (again),
Played at uncle’s campaign functions,
Family move to Lubbock, Texas – 1927,
Moved so children could attend Texas Tech,
Lubbock High School band – 1927,
Band buss,
Road trip,
Father (again),
Activities with the children,
Childhood experience plowing uncle’s field,
Childhood job cleaning a doctor’s office,
Family farm near Plainview, Texas,
Family move to Lubbock, Texas (again),
Family car – unusual in 1927,
Texas Tech,
Tunnels,
Cow Barn,
Cost,
Educational Career,
Classes,
Scholarship,
Classmates,
Story about going to Harvard University
Tape 1, Side 2:
Story about going to Harvard University (again),
Approach to teaching business,
Summer job placement through Harvard University,
Texas Tech’s recommendation of Canon Clements for a Rhodes Scholarship,
Selection process,
Summer before going to Oxford,
Story about his nickname – Clem,
Overseas experiences,
Classmates – Oxford University,
School break travel stories,
Meeting people,
Opera,
Breweries,
Story about Triumph motorcycle,
Classes,
Banking Career,
Job offers from New York, NY,
Moving up the career ladder,
Changes in banking and commodities market
Tape 2, Side 1:
Banking Career (again),
Impact of development of larger banks on the banking industry,
Attempts to merge banks,
President of Bank of Long Island,
Schroeder Bank,
Trips back to West Texas,
Family land business in West Texas,
Beginning of the family securities firm,
Brother,
Banking Career (again),
Retired from banking,
Business involvement after retirement,
Brother (again),
Return to West Texas to live,
Culture through Texas Tech,
Running the family business,
Impact of the 1980’s recession,
Plainview, Texas downtown rental property,
Economic Development of West Texas,
Agriculture,
Skilled work force,
Texas Tech’s lack of Rhodes scholarship promotion
Tape 2, Side 2:
Blank
Range Dates: 1913-1999
Bulk Dates: 1927-1978
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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