Clarence Huston Pygman (June 27, 1898–November 29, 1988)

Alverna Vivian Pygman (January 2, 1909–July 7, 1996)

By Rachel Street

Pre-Service

Clarence Huston Pygman was born on June 27, 1898, to parents John and Anna Pygman in Bedford, Indiana. One of seven children, Clarence was the youngest among his siblings.¹ During his childhood, the family moved across state lines, settling in Livingston County, Illinois. Growing up, the Pygman children experienced life on a small income as John Pygman supported the family by working a series of odd jobs with the census listing him at various times as a farmer, a laborer, and a tower.²

Entering into the Service

Pygman registered for the World War I draft in September of 1918.³ At the time, Pygman worked as a timekeeper for the Wabash Railroad Company near his home.⁴ He entered the service on October 20, 1918 and served in the Army.⁵ The war was drawing to a close by the time Pygman enlisted; less than a month later, the armistice ended fighting on November 11, 1918. Then, in June of 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed, officially ending the war and requiring Germany to claim responsibility for starting the war and the damage caused by it.⁶ Although we do not know much about Pygman’s time in the service, we do know that he attended basic training in Decatur, Illinois, and subsequently earned his degree at Millikin University after only three years of classes.⁷

Post-Service

Clarence Huston Pygman and Sylvia Hummel

It was during his time in basic training that Pygman likely gained his passion for education.⁸ Upon his return from war, Pygman moved back home with his parents and older sister Lola and began teaching in public schools.⁹ Then, on December 22, 1923 at twenty-five years old, Pygman married Sylvia Hummel.¹⁰ Seen here is a picture of Clarence Huston Pygman and Sylvia Hummel. The two were married in December of 1923. Less than four years later, they welcomed daughter Janet Eileen Pygman on April 15, 1927.¹¹ Despite enduring the loss of both of his parents—John Pygman in 1928 and Anna Pygman in 1930—Clarence Pygman continued to excel in his position within the school system.¹² By 1930, Pygman rose to the position of principal in a Maywood area public school.¹³ He continued to rise in his role within the Maywood community and education system, becoming a school superintendent by 1940.¹⁴

As a superintendent, Pygman managed schools within three Chicago suburbs.¹⁵ While in the position, Pygman made a large impact within his district. In 1942, he was elected director of the Greater Maywood Association.¹⁶ Two years later, Pyman served on a committee meant to advise on home nursing classes, which were included in schools within the Proviso Township community around that time.¹⁷ The same year Pygman acted as moderator during a meeting discussing racial tensions sponsored by the Maywood branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).¹⁸ The NAACP is “the nation’s oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization.”¹⁹ It was the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational fund that advocated for the end of state-mandated segregation, eventually resulting in the Brown vs. Board of Education case in 1954.²⁰ Pygman likely witnessed the transition with his centralized position within the Maywood education system.

Clarence Huston Pygman and Alverna V. Nellis, July 12, 1952

On July 12, 1952, Pygman married Alverna V. Nellis who had two teenage sons, Donald and Kenneth Nellis, from a previous marriage.²¹ Seen here is a picture Clarence Huston Pygman and Alverna V. Nellis in their later years. Clarence Pygman continued to aid his community by authoring several books, including Exploring Illinois and Illinois, which were used in history classes taught within the state.²² On top of his skills in writing, Pygman was well-known for his knack for storytelling. His wife commented on his abilities: “Everyone loved to hear him tell stories…You know how some people just know how to tell it. Well, it was all in his delivery and he really knew how to grab people’s attention.”²³ After a 42-year education career, Pygman and his wife moved to Fort Myers, Florida in the 1970s where they remained until Pygman passed away on November 29, 1988.²⁴ In relation to her husband’s life, Alverna Pygman commented: “He always told us that his life wasn’t any better or any more interesting than anyone else’s, but we thought it was.”²⁵ Both Pygman and his wife, who passed away on July 7, 1996, are buried together in Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.²⁶

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