CLARKE, Dr. James Frederic 1864 – 1942

CLARKE, SHIPMAN, CLAPP

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 2/2/2011 at 12:12:21

“The Fairfield Daily Ledger”
Monday, April 13, 1942
Front Page and Page 8

DR. J. F. CLARKE PHYSICIAN HERE 50 YEARS, DIES
Lifelong resident of Fairfield died at his home Sunday afternoon

Dr. J. Fred CLARKE, 78, died at his home, 500 South Main street, Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. after an extended illness. Dr. CLARKE was well known in the medical profession; a former Mayor and prominent citizen of Fairfield. In his active years he spent a great deal of time and effort in civic affairs until his retirement a few years ago. He had been in failing health since his return from California over a year ago.

Funeral services will be held at the family home Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. in charge of Rev. S. P. Williamson, assisted by Rev. William R. Yingling. Burial will be in the Evergreen cemetery. The family requests that there be no flowers sent.

The body will lie in state at the Murray funeral home until noon on the day of the services.

Born in Fairfield on Feb. 23, 1864, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Shipman CLARKE, he had been a life-long resident of the city, being considered the dean of doctors here with more than 50 years as an active physician. He was born in the same building which until recently housed his office. His father conducted a drug store business at the Shriner and Johnson location on the ground floor and the family resided on the second level of the building.

Dr. CLARKE went through the Fairfield city schools, attended Parsons academy and college for three years, going out after his bachelor’s degree in Iowa City in 1886. He obtained his master’s degree three years later and obtained his M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania.

He studied at Goettingen, Germany; John S. Hopkins university and the New York Post Graduate Medical school.

Credited with the establishment of women nurses in the United States Army, Dr. CLARKE as a Major in the Spanish-American War managed to get permission from Leslie M. Shaw, then governor of Iowa, and Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, commander, for placing 25 Iowa nurses in a small commandeered Negro school as a hospital. He spent a year in the service of his country during the War with Spain. He served in Paris during World War No. 1 and 10,000 men passed through the hospital in which he was located.

During the World War he was a member and organizer of Unit R, composed of 12 surgeons, 23 nurses, 50 men. The unit was formed here in Fairfield. He was in service during that war for more than two years.

Dr. CLARKE was at one time a mayor of Fairfield, and a state senator in 1912. He organized the Agassiz club in this city and was the father of the local Rotary club and served as its president for three terms.

In 1912 the Jefferson County hospital was opened as the climax of a campaign waged by Dr. CLARKE through the legislature and then by vote of the county.

Dr. CLARKE married Miss Melinda E. CLAPP on Oct. 13, 1891, who survives. He constructed the present residence in 1918. He was active in civic affairs, being well-known for his assistance in law enforcement. In addition to being one of the organizers of the Rotary club he belonged to the Masonic order.

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Tuesday, April 14, 1942
Front Page, Column 8

Dr. CLARKE Funeral At Presbyterian Church Wednesday

Funeral services for Dr. J. Fred CLARKE will be held at the Presbyterian church Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. It was announced yesterday that the services would be held at the home, but the location was changed this morning.

The body will lie in state at the church tomorrow afternoon from 3:00 p.m. until time for the services. Rev. S. P. Williamson and Rev. W. R. Yingling will be in charge.

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Tuesday, April 14, 1942
Page FIVE, Column 1

LOCALS

... --Mr. and Mrs. C. C. CLARKE and daughter Miss Margaret CLARKE and Miss Adalaide Beers of Burlington will come tomorrow for the last rites of Dr. J. Fred CLARKE. ...

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Thursday, April 16, 1942
Page FIVE, Column 3

LOCALS

... --Merle Caris of Mt. Pleasant was the guest of friends here Wednesday and attended the funeral services of Dr. J. Fred CLARKE.

--Miss Amy Beers of Muskegon, Mich., arrived Tuesday night for a few days visit in the home of Mrs. J. Fred CLARKE, 500 South Main street.

--Miss Grace Roberts of Mount Pleasant was the guest of friends here Wednesday and attended the funeral services of Dr. J. Fred CLARKE. ...

... --Clarence Johnson of Ottumwa was in the city Wednesday afternoon to attend the funeral services of Dr. J. Fred CLARKE under whom he served in hospital Unit R, in France during the first World war. ...

... --Mr. and Mrs. C. C. CLARKE, Misses Mary Elder and Adelaide Beers of Burlington were here Wednesday in attendance at the funeral services of Dr. J. Fred CLARKE, held in the First Presbyterian church. ...

(same publication and page, but Column 5 -- )

Many Attended Last Rites For Dr. CLARKE Yesterday Afternoon

The auditorium in the Presbyterian church was nearly full yesterday afternoon of relatives and friends who gathered to pay their last respects to Dr. J. Fred CLARKE.

Members of the Fairfield Rotary club attended the funeral services in a body. The nurses of Jefferson county also attended in a group.

In his sermon, Rev. S. P. Williamson spoke on the life history of Dr. CLARKE. He told of the many services he rendered to Fairfield and Jefferson county during his 50 years as a practicing physician in this community.

Rev. Williamson also related on the service which Dr. CLARKE gave to his country during the Spanish American war and World war 1.

Rev. William R. Yingling gave the scripture reading and the prayer.

Pallbearers were John G. Barwise, H. E. Gaumer, Edmund V. Hunt, Guy Woellhaf, Clarence Johnson of Ottumwa and Merle Caris of Mt. Pleasant. Burial was in Evergreen cemetery.

Dr. CLARKE passed away at his home Sunday afternoon after an extended illness.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Wife Melinda died in 1946; they are buried in Lot Old.P.319.

Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
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