The making of a Mormon apostle

Rudger Clawson (1857-1943) was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Hiram Bradley Clawson and Margaret Gay Clawson. He grew up in a wealthy and prominent Mormon family and went on a misssion to the southern states in 1879. He was the companion of Elder Joseph Standing when he was murdered by a mob. After his mission, Rudger married first Florence Ann Dinwoodey and then Lydia Elizabeth Spencer in polygamy. In 1884 he was convicted for practicing plural marriage and spent three years in prison. In 1898 he became an apostle in the LDS Church. In 1904 he married Pearl Udall as a plural wife. He was the father of ten children.