CLARK, William

CLARK, KNIGHT, ARNOLD, WILLIAMS, BIBBEY, RYAN, STEWART, DOXEY

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/18/2015 at 14:54:41

Obituary ~ William Clark
February 21, 1833 ~ April 24, 1916

William Clark, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Clark, was born February 21, 1833, in Belmont County, Ohio, and departed this life at his home near Pleasanton, Iowa, on April 24, 1916, being 84 years, 2 months and 3 days of age.

On May 15, 1856 he was united in marriage with Miss Angeline Knight and several years later with their four children they came to Iowa, where immediately on landing in their new home amidst strangers, three of the children were stricken with diphtheria and passed away within three weeks of each other. A few years later in the year 1872, the mother followed the little ones to their eternal home, thus leaving the father and three other little ones to mourn their great loss.

On May 30, 1872 he was again united in marriage with Miss Edella Arnold of Mahska County, who preceeded him in death August 18, 1889.

He spent the greater part of fourty years of his life in Mahaska County, but for the last twenty years has resided in Decatur County, where all of his children are married and reside, except one daughter, and one son in Mahaska County. Mr. Clark was a man of plain ways and manners, very conservative and only those who knew him best could estimate his character and ideals.

He was a kind loving husband and parent, a good neighbor and friend always ready to aid those who needed assistance. He was converted in his early youth and became a member of the Christian Church, still retaining his membership at the old home church, Bethel, in Mahaska County.

He departed this life at the home of a daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Williams, near Pleasanton, Iowa. Medical skill, loving attention of children, friends and many kind neighbors was of no avail against the grim reaper of all mankind, so as peacefully as if he were going to sleep, he passed into the sleep which knows no awakening until the angel of ressurection hands to us again the key of life.

According to the wishes of the deceased and the family it was decided to place the father by the side of his children and the companions of his earlier years. On account of the distance, something over one-hundred miles and inconvenience of making train service, it was decided to make the longtrip by auto. (this was in 1916!) The hour to start was necessarily made early but not too early for many kind friends to gather at the home to offer their assistance and sympathy. Mr. F. S. Stewart of Leon took charge of the service and in a very kindly manner arranged the details necessary for such a long journey overland.

Those in the funeral cortege were M. and Mrs. Thomas Williams, Mr. & Mrs. John Bibbey, Mrs. Frank Williams, all of Pleasanton. Mrs. Lige (Elijah) Ryan, of Lamoni, and Mr. John Clark of Decatur City, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Clark of Mahaska County; Mr. F. S. Stewart of Leon, accompanied by J. H. Clark, driving the hearse across country to the home of the son in Mahaska County, where the funeral sevices were held on Wednesday morning at Coal Creek Church, where interment was made.

Reverend Pettit, an old friend of the family, gave an excellent discourse and the choir rendered beautiful and appreciative music, after which the remains were tenderly borne to the adjacent cemetery where they were laid away to await the final day of all time.

The immediate relatives near Pleasanton are Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Clark, Mr. and Mrs. John Bibbey; others are Mr. and Mrs. John Clark of near Decatur City, Mr. and Mrs. Lige Ryan of near Lamoni, Mr. and Mrs. High Doxey, Oklahoma and Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Clark, of Mahaska County. There are also fourteen grandchildren, and a sister in Oklahoma, and a brother, Mr. L. C. (Lawson) Clark and son William Clark, and family, of Unionville, Missouri.

Transcription & submission by William Baker, December 26, 1998