This oral history interview with Frederick Clausen was conducted by Linda S. Dodds at Clausen’s home in Beaverton, Oregon, in two sessions from October 27-29, 1981, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library’s oral history program. At the time of the interview, Dodds’ name was Linda S. Brody.

In the first interview session, conducted on October 27, 1981, Clausen discusses how he came to the United States from Sweden in 1903, and talks about working on his uncle’s farm in the Pomme de Terre River Valley in Minnesota, and on another relative’s dairy farm in Silvana, Washington. He describes life in Portland, Oregon, in the early 20th century and talks about working in the grocery trade. He describes making deliveries and talks about how the Depression affected the grocery trade. He then talks about owning a grocery store in Southeast Portland during World War II and about how rationing affected his business.

In the second interview session, conducted on October 29, 1981, Clausen continues to discuss how rationing during World War II affected the grocery trade. He then talks about his service in the U.S. Army in France during World War I, and also about becoming a U.S. citizen in 1920. He shares his reasons for leaving the grocery business after the end of World War II, and talks about his activities since. He closes the interview by discussing his photography hobby.