CLARKE, Dr. Charles Shipman 1814 - 1882

CLARKE, WADSWORTH, SAMPSON, CORBIN, CRAIG, WELLER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:28

"The Evening Journal"
Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa
Saturday, March 4, 1882
Front Page, Column 3

DEATH OF DR. CLARK.

One by one our old settlers are being summoned to the other shore--one by one they are passing through the dark valley of the shadow of death. This community heard with regret this morning the sad announcement that Dr. Charles S. CLARKE, one of our oldest and most highly respected citizens and business men had passed away at two o'clock. The funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon at three o'clock, from the residence.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, March 8, 1882
Page 5, Columns 5 and 6

DEATH'S DOOR.
How it Has Closed upon Another of Fairfield's Citizens.

In the death of Dr. Charles S. CLARKE, which occurred at his home in this city, on Saturday last, Fairfield has lost another of her old and honored citizens--one of the fathers of the home town, and one whose works for her advancement and prosperity will ever be remembered and treasured in the hearts of our people. Dr. CLARKE had been in ill health for several years, and for perhaps two years past had been unable to attend to business and confined to his room the greater part of the time.-- During all these later months he had been growing gradually weaker, and while his death was not unexpected, its sadness seems not lessened by the knowledge we have had that he was not long for this world.

Charles Shipman CLARKE was born in Marietta, Ohio, Dec. 15 (sic - 5th), 1814. He was of New England parentage, and was one of a large family, only three daughters of which now survive. In 1817 his parents removed to Fredericktown, Knox county, where they made their home for many years, and while residing there the events occurred which decided so much of young CLARKE's future life, and guided him in his choice of a profession. When he had reached young manhood a scourge of malignant scarlet fever visited the neighborhood, and two married sisters each lost a young son by that then as now fatal disease. In his cares and thoughts for the suffering children and their sorrowing parents he was led into a train of thought and consequent study which finally ended in a resolution to enter upon the study of medicine in the hope of alleviating the ailments of suffering humanity. After pursuing the usual preparatory course of study he attended medical lectures at Cincinnati during the winter of 1834-5, and began practice a short time later at Sunbury, Delaware county. Again in 1842-3 he attended lectures, and graduated in the spring of the latter year. Noting the opportunities for a young man in the great west he removed to Iowa shortly after graduation, and settled at Mt. Pleasant, where he built up a large practice to which he devoted himself exclusively for fourteen years, at the expense of his health, his only rest from his laborious duties being in 1848 when he attended a final course of medical lectures at Sterling medical college, Columbus, Ohio.

The duties of a physician in those days were far more onerous that at present, and the pioneers led a life which is now only to be found in the memories of the good men and women of those days. Dr. CLARKE's labors were such that along in 1855, perhaps, he attempted to withdraw from a really active practice, but was unable to do so in the kindness of his heart which forced him to go when called. He found at last that in order to save his health he would be compelled remove from Mt. Pleasant, and it was this determination that brought him to Fairfield in 1857. He came here and engaged in the drug business in the building now occupied by C. S. Clarke & Son. He was first in business with Capt. Alvin Turner, now of this city, but afterward was in partnership with Dr. Hull, and later with Dr. Woodward. Then for many years he was alone, until 1865, when E. M. B. Scott, now of Ottumwa, was admitted to the firm, the partnership continuing until 1875, when Mr. Scott withdrew and Geo. D. CLARKE was admitted. During his residence here Dr. CLARKE was a progressive and successful business man, and though never really engaged in the active practice of his profession was frequently called in consultation, and kept well posted in the medical progress of the day.

While Dr. CLARKE was always a public spirited man he never actively engaged in public life, and seldom held places of public trust. January 24, 1855, when Iowa decided upon the erection of an insane asylum, the general assembly appointed Gov. Grimes, Judge Edward Johnstone and Dr. CLARKE a board of commissioners to purchase a site and locate the institution. These commissioners made a tour of inspection of the asylums of nine eastern states, and finally decided upon a plan for a building to accommodate 300 patients, modeled after the Massachusetts asylum, and located it at Mt. Pleasant. In this work Dr. CLARKE took a very peculiar interest and one which never flagged until the day of his death. During the building of the asylum and during the earlier years of its usefulness he was prominently identified with its management. His interest in matters educational brought him actively into this work shortly after his removal to Fairfield, and he was the first president of the school board of the Fairfield independent district, in 1859, and was afterwards we believe a director for several years. In all its history our public library has had few more devoted friends, his connection with that work beginning in 1858, when he was first elected a member of the board of directors, and continuing for many years, and even the dissolution of his official connection with the institution did not abate his interest, for he continued its firm and fast friend under all circumstances.-- Politically Dr. CLARKE was an earnest anti-slavery man, and while always taking an active interest in politics he was never a seeker of office. He was firmly identified with the republican partly until during the Great "regime" when, despairing of correcting the abuses then existing by remaining with the party, he voluntarily withdrew and begame what was then known as a liberal. He afterwards was nominated by his party for the state senate, but since that time has identified himself with no political organization.

Charles S. CLARKE was a great hearted man. In his profession he was an able practitioner and an earnest student; as a citizen he was progressive, philanthropic and generous; as a friend kind hearted and magnanimous; and as a husband and father his home life and the affections of his family tell all that can be said. During the dark days of the war he was an earnest, ardent patriot, and none gave more in works and deeds than he towards the preservation of the Union, and his purse was always open on those many occasons (sic) when money was needed to aid the suffering soldier on the field or his family at home. A friend of morality and education he lost no opportunity to give and do for the welfare of his home town and its people, and his works as known to our people will prove a more enduring and fitting monument than man can build.

In the practice of his profession he was more than physician--he was nurse and friend, and many is the poor pioneer settler of Henry county who drew upon him not only for medical attention but for other essential aid, and it is said of his practice that he never distressed a patient for what was even his just due. His kindness of heart and fearless manner is perhaps best told in what was known as the Rome cholera fright early in '51. In some mysterious manner this dread disease made its appearance near this little town, and a great number of deaths followed, almost every case in that vicinity resulting fatally. Dr. CLARKE not only gave his services freely, but provided nurses, and when they were stricken with the disease took them into his own home at Mt. Pleasant, despite the protests of his neighbors, and cared for them until cured. He was always an earnest friend of young men, and many is the lad who received not only encouraging words, but ready aid, from this kindhearted man, and this characteristic of the man was most touchingly told by Rev. W. R. Cole, of Mt. Pleasant, who was for some time a member of his family and knew of his kindnesses, and many a young man struggling for education or advancement owes the gratification of his desires to this same kind hand. As a citizen of Fairfield Dr. CLARKE was always to be found in the front of any movement which would tend to advance our city or its interests, and was prominently identified in all public measures. His death, while a sad event to his hundreds of friends throughout the county and a crushing blow to the family, leaves the consolation that the life of a highly moral man, a kind father and an excellent citizen--one who has lived his life well--does leave. His taking away is sad, but the remembrances of a noble manhood lighten its sadness.

Dr. CLARKE was married to Sarah C. WADSWORTH October 8th, 1837, and lived happily for nearly half a century with his wife, who still survives him.-- To them eight children were born, three dying in early life and five surviving. Of these Miss Emma still lives at the old home; Minnie is the wife of J. W. SAMPSON, and resides in this city; Charles A., the eldest son, is an officer in the U. S. navy; George D. was in business with his father at the time of his deceased; and Fred, the youngest child, is a student at Parsons College.

The funeral occurred Sunday afternoon, the services being conducted by Rev. W. R. Cole, of Mt. Pleasant, and Rev. M. E. Dwight, of this city. A very large number of friends attended the exercises and paid a last tribute of respect to their friend and neighbor whose lease of life had expired. The physicians of the city attended the funeral in a body, and the remains were borne to the grave by old friends and professional brethren.

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Thursday Morning, March 9, 1882
Page 3, Columns 3 and 4

A GOOD MAN GONE.
The Death of Dr. C. S. CLARKE in this City Early Last Saturday Morning.

It is our sad duty this week to record the death of one of Fairfield's old citizens and one of her best. The death of Dr. C. S. CLARKE last Saturday removed from our midst a man whose moral worth, gentle character, and sterling integrity is a real loss to any community and to all the world, for it has taken a citizen held in the highest estimation, and an influence which was always executed for good. Dr. CLARKE's health has been constantly failing for several years, and during the past year he has been almost continually confined to his home and unable to attend to business. Despite this gradual failing of the physical man, his intellect remained bright and clear even to the last, the mind appearing to become clearer as the end drew near. For several weeks it had been known that he could not long survive, for daily he was growing weaker. Last Saturday morning the final summons came and the struggle was at an end.

Charles Shipman CLARKE, the subject of this sketch, was born of New England parents in Marietta, Ohio, on the 15th day of December, 1814 (sic - 5th on his gravestone). At the time of his death, therefore, he was in the 68th year of his age. When three years old his parents removed to Frederickstown, Knox Co., that state, where he lived for many years. While still a boy, the ravages of malignant scarlet fever, double emphasized by the death of two of his married sister's children, made such an impression on his mind, that he resolved to study medicine in order to discover, if possible, some remedy for the disease. In the winter of 1834 he attended his first course of medical lectures, at Cincinnati, and soon after began practice in Sunbury, Ohio. He was married in 1837, on the 8th of October, to Sarah C. WADSWORTH. In 1843, he attended another course of lectures, graduating in the spring. Soon afterwards he resolved on coming to the west, and in his search for a suitable point he settled at Mt. Pleasant. Here he was successful in building up an extended practice which became so laborious during fourteen years that it undermined his health(.) During this time, in 1848, he attended a final course of medical lectures at Sterling College, Columbus, Ohio, and with this brief exception his arduous duties as a physician gave him no opportunity for rest. Compelled to regard his failing health, he tried to curtail or altogether cease his practice. But this he found impossible, for his kindly nature would not permit him to refuse the urgent calls for his assistance. At last, in justice to himself, he decided to leave Mt. Pleasant, and in 1857 he removed to this city, where he went into the drug business. Here he has had several partners at various times, the present one, his son Geo. D. CLARKE, having succeeded to Mr. Scott in 1875. The firm has always been one of the successful ones of the city, Dr. CLARKE being a thorough business man and a most careful and systematic one. Prior to his removal from Mt. Pleasant, on the 24th of January, 1855, the General Assembly appointed Gov. Grimes, Judge Edward Johnstone, and Dr. C. S. CLARKE a board of commissioners to locate and superintend the erection of an asylum for the insane near Mt. Pleasant, Henry county. On this work the doctor entered with zeal, and after an extensive inspection of nine institutions of the kind in eastern states, a site was chosen and plans were agreed upon for an institution commensurate with the needs of the state. A brief sketch of the labors and discouragements attendant upon the duties of the commissioners would be interesting, but want of space forbids it. Dr. CLARKE was an active assistant in the institution for many years and always retained his interest in it.

Many years ago he was a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Odd Fellows, but the constant duties of his profession and failing health compelled him to give up his connection with them. Politically Dr. CLARKE was a pronounced opponent to slavery and for many years took active part with the republican party. Afterward he took ground with such men as Sumner and Greeley against the policy and corruption of Grant's administration, and became an active member of the Liberal party. For a number of years past he has not been specially identified with any organization, but has all the time been a close observer of passing political events, and desirous of an era of purer methods and cleaner politics. He was a warm admirer of David Davis, who perhaps came nearer filling his ideal of independence and political purity than any other man now living.

Of the personal character of Dr. CLARKE it remains for us yet to speak briefly. Only those who knew the man and who came in contact with him, can be made to understand his moddst worth and the great strength of his character. Unassuming and simple as a child, he was yet positive in his convictions of right, and from the path of duty and the dictates of his conscience, nothing could swerve him. It was his constant endeavor to be of service to his fellow men, and many there are who have cause to remember with gratefulness the assistance in both words and deed which has been rendered them by Dr. CLARKE. In the cause of education he took a deep interest always, and for a long time was connected with the schools of the city as one of the directors. Kind in heart, just in his dealings with men, with a constant purpose to be and to do right, his death is that of a man whose life has been a model and a guide for others, and the fragrance of which smells sweet and will blossom from the tomb. The spirit of Dr. CLARKE has left its earthly home, but who shall say that it does not yet dwell upon the earth in the deeds of goodness which his life and example has inspired in others?

During the last months of his sickness, he improved almost every waking moment in advising, admonishing, and cheering his family, encouraging each to noble deeds and blameless lives. It was his happy consolation that never in his life had he knowingly done a dishonorable act, and that if at any time he had wished any particular good for himself, he had wished it as an opportunity to do good to others. When in the practice of medicine he never distressed anyone to pay him a debt, no matter urgent was his own need; and it was his frequent observation that money is of little use compared with a blameless life. Such was the burden of his thought, and his advice and counsel is a precious legacy to his family.

He leaves a wife and five children--charles A., George D., and Fred, and Minnie, (now Mrs. SAMPSON,) and Emma.

The funeral, which occurred last Sunday afternoon, was largely attended, many of those present being unable to gain admission to the house. The services were conducted by Rev. Wm. R. Cole, of Mt. Pleasant, and Rev. M. E. Dwight, of this city. Rev. Cole spoke feelingly of the virtues of the deceased, and of his character and qualities as a man, dwelling on the traits of goodness and nobleness which the doctor possessed, and the beauty and symmetry of his life. All hearts were made to feel the impressiveness of the hour, and that they were standing in the circle of a bettering influence. A large concourse followed the reamins to the grave.

Among others present from outside the city to attend the funeral, were the following: Mrs. Schuyler CORBIN, of Washington, and Mrs. John CRAIG, of Oskaloosa, sisters of Dr. CLARKE; Mr. and Mrs. S. C. CORBIN, of Washington; Mrs. Callie S. Marsh, Mt. Pleasant; Mr. and Mrs. O. B. Barrows, Marshalltown; Rev. Wm. R. Cole, Unitarian minister, Mt. Pleasant; Rev. and Mrs. Ezekiel SAMPSON, Lockridge; Mr. and Mrs. E. M. B. Scott, Ottumwa, Iowa. On account of high water Mrs. H. H. WELLER, Dr. CLARKE's remaining sister, could not reach Fairfield in time for the funeral.

The will of Dr. CLARKE leaves all his property under the control of his wife and daughter Emma, and George D., in trust during the life time of Mrs. CLARKE, and then to be divided equally among the heirs.

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

Note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, IA, in Lot Old.P.320. Wife Sarah died in 1905 and is buried with him.