He began his career in architecture in Corsicana in June 1908. It appears his first job of designing a building was for a Mr. T. J. Alexander of Teague, Texas. In 1909 he completed his study in architecture and engineering, moved back to Corsicana, and opened a full time architectural office in Corsicana. His training at the Armour Institute of Technology and the Chicago Art Institute was completed. In Jan 1912, after marrying Mary Kate Johnson of Corsicana, he moved to Fort Worth after associating with E. Stanley Field of Waller and Field. Waller left the firm several months later and the firm became Field and Clarkson Architects, and thus began a long and very distinguished career as one of Fort Worth's finest architects. He passed from this life on May 5, 1952.
There is only a very limited amount of information available on his projects while in Corsicana. He completed his education in 1908, and by 1910 had already developed a reputation as an exceptional architect for a young man. He apparently worked from his parent's homes after graduating from college. In 1908, the Corsicana directory listed their address as 1020 West 5th Ave and by 1910, he was living at 1242 West 5th Ave. The majority of his work in Corsicana is actually after he moved to Fort Worth. The published collection of selected projects in the W. G. Clarkson Architectural Catalog covered the years 1912 to 1927.
Autobiography for Business By Wiley G. Clarkson:
Born in Corsicana, Texas, November 28th, 1885. My father, William Clarkson, was born in Charleston, S. C. 1858, and came to Texas when a young man, settling in Corsicana and shortly thereafter engaged in the foundry and machinery business. He is still owner of the business, altho retired. My mother was born in Brenhan, Texas in 1868, and was reared in Corsicana, Texas, to which place her father moved when she was a young girl. All members of my family are Democrats and have been for generations, and all my immediate family, including myself, are members of the Episcopal church.
I was educated in the Public Schools of Corsicana, graduating there in 1903. I attended the University of Texas for two years, and then spent two years in Chicago in Armour Institute of Technology and the Chicago Art Institute studying architecture. Returning to Texas I practised Architecture in Corsicana for two years, and then came to Ft. Worth in 1912, continuing the practice of architecture. I have designed a large number of the finest homes built in Ft. Worth during the period I have been here, the bulk of my work being in Ryan Place and Rivercrest. In 1919 I associated with A. W. Gaines, and our firm, has designed work of all classes, including a number of banks and school buildings, residences and industrial buildings.
I was married to Miss Mary Kate Johnson, daughter of Dr. S. W. Johnson of Dallas, Texas, on Jan. 10, 1912. Her birthplace like my own, was Corsicana, Texas, and in this town she was raised, receiving her education in the Corsicana Public Schools, Washington City and in Boston. We have one son, Wiley Gulick Clarkson, Jr.
I am a member of the Masonic Orders; Julian Field Blue Lodge, Julian Field Chapter, Council, Commandry and Moslah Temple. Am also a member of the Fort Worth Club."
He was a charter member of the Texas Society of Architects and was president in 1942–43. He was also a founding member of the Fort Worth chapter of the American Institute of Architects and served as its president in 1948. He and his wife were members of the 1st Methodist Church in Fort Worth, and was the architect of their present building that has become a downtown landmark. He was a Rotarian, serving as a director in 1940 (and probably other years also). He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, NSSAR membership #68100.
I have photos of almost every home my grandparents lived after moving to Fort Worth but none before 1916. At the time of this update (July 2022), I have found documentation that shows my grandparents lived at the following locations:
810 8th Avenue: in 1912 while he designed and built the fine home at 3 Chase Court for my grandmother's uncle, Dr. Clay Johnson
2 Chase Court: 1914 directory: located next to 3 Chase Court. This house no longer exists, probably torn down by Dr. Johnson after my
grandparents moved out. Dr. Johnson was living at 2 Chase Court prior to completion of his 3 Chase Court home.
2127 6th Avenue: This house, according to the Tarrant County Appraisal District was constructed in 1916, the year my graparents
moved to this address. My grandfather does not list this as one of his house designs but it probably was. It has a lot of features my
grandfather used in smaller houses that I have located. Unfortunately, there is no available information on who the architect was.
It is the house where my father was born in Aug 1917. This home is still in use today and now appraised at around $330,000.
1504 Washington: I believe this was a house that was already built that they moved to in order to sell the house at 2127 6th Ave.
They were only in this house for a year or so.
1715 6th Avenue: They are listed in the 1922 directory so they were in this house probably in 1921. This house no longer exists.
This house may have also been a house he designed as it had a number of features that he used in cottage style houses his
firm designed. The appraisal district on lists the newer house at that location. They lived here until 1928 when the home at
2517 Ryan Place Drive was completed as a Christmas gift for my grandmother.
2517 Ryan Place Drive: Completed and moved into in late 1928. It has become a recognized landmark home of his design in the
Ryan Historic district, where my grandfather did many fine house designs. They would live here until my father graduated from high school in 1935.
2604 5th Avenue: My grandparents purchased this house probably in 1936 after selling their home at 2517 Ryan Place Drive. This one- story federal cottage with round-headed dormers was designed by my grandfather in 1922 for Elmo Sledd, a Vice-President of the
Ft.Worth National Bank, who was the son of Joshua Z. Sledd and Florence A. (Churchill) Sledd. My grandparents purchased a house
1417 Hillcrest in 1939.
1417 Hillcrest: My grandparents moved into this home in 1940 after remodeling and updating the home. They would live out their lives
in the Hillcrest. My parents would move us into this home in 1965 and it would remain in our family until 1978.
The following photos of my grandfather as a sportsman were unseen by myself until Sept. 11, 2012. He enjoyed bass fishing and hunting, especially for ducks.
The above photo was taken several weeks before he passed away in the early morning hours on May 5, 1952
