Morning of Life Sculpture

“Morning of Life” is a life-size bronze sculpture of a young girl sitting on a rock with her gaze cast toward the heavens. It was sculpted by Clarence Shaler in memorial of his twin sister Clara who died in 1878 at the age of 18 – in the morning of life. It is located at her gravesite in Mackford Union Cemetery, Markesan, WI.

Clarence was a prominent businessman from Waupun who made his fortune with his invention of the vulcanized Hot Patch for repairing tires. When his wife Blanche died in 1921, Clarence commissioned his friend and mentor Lorado Taft from Chicago to sculpt the massive Recording Angel sculpture which now sits at her grave in Waupun’s Forest Mound Cemetery.

When Clarence retired, Taft encouraged him to pursue his interest in sculpting. Today, six of his sculptures can be found in an around Waupun. His final work, “The Citadel,” is on display in a glass case outside the Waupun Heritage Museum.

“Death is more beautiful than life, for the dead are ever young.” – Clarence Shaler