Clarence Simeon Putnam was born September 16, 1859 at Barre, Vermont, the
son of George B. Putnam. He was educated at Barre Academy and Dartmouth
College where he studied for two years. Because of the urging of his
mother, he attended the Philadelphia Medical School and graduated in 1883
from the Hahnemann Medical College in Chicago. During all this time, Mr.
Putnam was active in musical groups, directing a band at the age of 17.
With minor interruptions, Mr. Putnam practiced medicine from 1883 to 1903
at Moorhead and Ada, Minnesota; Superior, Wisconsin; Casselton and Fargo,
North Dakota. In 1904 a fire in the Edwards Building in Fargo destroyed
his medical office. He thereupon began teaching various courses at the
North Dakota Agricultural College. At the College, he develop the fledging
band classes into the Gold Star Band, so named because of the top ratings
it received by the national inspectors of the Reserve Officers Training
Corps. In addition, he organized at the college a concert orchestra,
girl's and boy's glee clubs and a string ensemble. "Doc" Putnam continued
in his work as bandmaster throughout his career at the NDAC until his
death. He was also responsible for writing many compositions including the
North Dakota Hymn and the NDAC school song, The Yellow and Green. Putnam
was also active in the Masons, Sigma Chi, and the American Bandmaster's
Association. Putnam died in Fargo on February 25, 1944.
 
Dr. Putnam married Bertha Townsend on November 30, 1898. She was born
November 17, 1874 at Rutland, Vermont having come to Fargo in 1894 and
later working in a bank at Casselton, North Dakota. She died in Fargo
on July 15, 1963. Dr. and Mrs. Putnam had four children, Donald, Clarence,
Emery and Raymond. 
 

Clarence Putnam Collection  |  Literary, Music and Theater