claude mcnair
1922-1923
Life Story
A Child of the Great Migration
Early Life and Family Origins
Claude McNair—recorded as “Cloudy McNair” on his death certificate—was born on March 6, 1922, in Arkansas. He was the son of John McNair and Candis Beddinfield (also spelled Benefield), both of whom were originally from Mississippi.
Claude’s birth in Arkansas suggests that the McNair family may have lived there briefly during the early years of the twentieth century, possibly as part of the seasonal agricultural and labor migrations that were common among Southern families seeking work. Within a short time, however, the family joined the broader movement of Black Southerners leaving the rural South in search of new opportunities in the industrial North.
By the early 1920s, the McNairs had relocated to East Chicago in Lake County, Indiana, one of the many Midwestern industrial cities that drew thousands of Southern migrants during the Great Migration. The family resided at 3828 Catalpa Street, in a community shaped by the booming steel mills and manufacturing plants that defined the region.
A Short Childhood
Claude’s life was brief but reflects the experiences of many migrant families during this transformative period in American history. His official records list his occupation simply as “infant child.”
He spent his short life in a rapidly growing industrial city where families from across the South had come to build new lives. East Chicago and neighboring communities such as Hammond and Indiana Harbor had become major destinations for workers seeking employment in the steel industry.
Illness and Passing
In March 1923, shortly after his first birthday, Claude became seriously ill. He was attended by Dr. E. R. Lewis, who began treating him on March 12, 1923. Despite several days of medical care, Claude’s condition worsened.
Claude McNair passed away at 4:00 AM on March 18, 1923, at the age of one year and twelve days. The cause of death was recorded as lobar pneumonia, a severe respiratory infection that was a common and often fatal illness for young children during the early twentieth century. His condition was further complicated by exhaustion brought on by the illness.
Burial and Final Arrangements
Claude’s father, John McNair, served as the informant on the death certificate and provided the personal details for the official record.
Funeral arrangements were handled by undertaker G. W. Prusiecki of Indiana Harbor, and Claude was laid to rest the following day on March 19, 1923, in Hammond, Indiana.
Though his life lasted only a year, Claude’s story forms a small but important part of the McNair family history and reflects the broader journey of many Black families who moved north during the Great Migration in search of opportunity and stability.
Vital Statistics
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Claude (“Cloudy”) McNair |
| Date of Birth | March 6, 1922 |
| Birthplace | Arkansas |
| Date of Death | March 18, 1923 |
| Place of Death | East Chicago, Lake County, Indiana |
| Parents | John McNair & Candis Beddingfield (Benefield) |
| Cause of Death | Lobar Pneumonia |
| Burial Location | Hammond, Indiana |
Historical Note
Claude’s birth in Arkansas and death in Indiana provides an important clue about the migration pattern of the McNair family. Many Black families from Mississippi moved first through Arkansas or Tennessee before relocating to Midwestern industrial cities such as Chicago, Gary, and East Chicago during the early decades of the twentieth century.
Resting Place
Hammond, Indiana
Photos/Albums
Sources
- Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011
- Scott County Times, Candis B. McNair Obituary, Wed, Oct 16, 1985 ·Page 12
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