Clauss, Julius A., 1886-1973.

Steel industry engineer; vice-president in charge of engineering of Great Lakes Steel Corp., Ecorse, Michigan; chief of steel plant facilities for steel division, U.S. War Production Board, during World War II.

From the description of Julius A. Clauss papers, 1908-1960. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34418390

Julius A. Clauss was born July 9, 1886 in Buffalo, New York. He left school at age 14 and found employment as a Western Union messenger, and then in a bakery. Eventually he became apprenticed to a machinist at Bethlehem Steel's Lackawanna plant.

Intrigued by his work, Clauss began to study mechanical engineering in 1901 by means of correspondence school. In 1908, he received a degree in mechanical engineering from the International Correspondence Schools. During 1907 he supplemented his correspondence course with studies in metallurgy at the Buffalo YMCA.

Having completed his formal education, Clauss worked for numerous steel companies in Buffalo, Youngstown and Cleveland gaining a wealth of practical experience by serving in positions of ever increasing importance. In 1926 he became the chief engineer of the Trumbull Steel Co. in Warren, Ohio. He was offered and accepted the position of chief engineer at the Great Lakes Steel Co. of Ecorse, Michigan in 1929. Clauss remained at Great Lakes Steel for the rest of his career. In 1944 he was made vice-president in charge of engineering, a post he retained until his retirement in 1952.

Clauss was appointed chief of steel plant facilities for the Steel Division of the War Production Board in October 1942. He was responsible for the production expansion program. In November 1943 he resigned his appointment.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities and governmental duties, Clauss was active in engineering societies and associations. He was particularly interested in the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers and helped organize its Detroit chapter. Through his work with engineering societies he became interested in the history of the steel making industry. Clauss actively read and wrote on this subject.

From the guide to the Julius A. Clauss papers, 1980-1960, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)