Joel N. Clark

BALLARD, BROOKS, CLARK, DARNELL, ELDERKIN, GORDON, JOHNSON, SMITH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 2/4/2006 at 13:47:43

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
July 28, 1927

The people were shocked to hear of the death of Joel N. Clark, early this morning, (July 28) at the Methodist hospital in Des Moines. Mr. Clark had not been well this summer, and became ill two weeks ago. On Monday, he was taken to the hospital, where he was undergoing examination and treatment. His condition was not thought to be alarming, but he died between 6 and 7 o'clock this morning.

The deceased was 70 years of age. He was the last son, of the Caleb and Ruth Clark family, who were one of the first families to locate in Madison county, coming here in 1846. There were five brothers, and they all took an active part in the development of Madison county. Joel and Denny Clark had the contract for the building of the present South Ward school house, and they worked on many of the larger buildings of Winterset. He took an active interest, and spent much time on the Clark memorial tower, that was erected by the family in honor of their parents, in the local city park, last year. This year, Mr. Clark has been overseeing the work on the Bedford stone house, that he was having built on West Filmore street.

The deceased owned at one time the monument business now owned and operated by his son and son-in-law, Clark & Johnson, but he retired during the World War. Since that time, he has travelled extensively over the United States.

He is survived by three children, Delbert Clark, Mrs. Will Johnson, and Mrs. Glen Elderkin, all of this community. He also leaves his wife, and three sisters, Mrs. Charlotte Gordon, Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, and Mrs. Martha Ballard.

Funeral services will be held at the Church of Christ, Saturday, July 30th, at 10 o'clock.
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Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, July 28, 1927
Page 1, Column 5

JOEL CLARK IS SUMMONED BY DEATH
Dies At Des Moines Hospital Early This Morning. Funeral At Church of Christ Saturday.

Funeral services for Joel Clark, whose death occurred at four o'clock this morning at a Des Moines hospital, will be held Saturday morning at ten o'clock from the Church of Christ conducted by the Rev. F. Clare McCallon. Mr. Clark went to Des Moines Monday for treatment for infection of the gall duct. His condition became steadily worse, and resulted in his unexpected death this morning. He was about seventy years old.

The son of Rufus Clark [This is incorrect - Rufus was his brother, Caleb was their father], Joel Clark was known from one end of Madison county to the other. He had lived most of his life here. A stone mason, as was his father before him, Joel Clark and his brother, Denny Clark, in 1878 bought the Winterset monument works, now operated by his son, Delbert Clark and his son-in-law, Will Johnson. Hard working, frugal, a man of his word, Joel Clark enjoyed life and took it as it came.

With Mrs. Clark he toured the United States and Canada and there are but few places they did not visit. Some of these trips consumed many months but Mr. and Mrs. Clark, leisurely driving over the country, learned to know it and its beauties as only few people are privileged to do.

Early this spring Mr. and Mrs. Clark decided to build a home and work was commenced on a stone house on west Filmore street. Mr. Clark was doing the work and selecting the rock as the work progressed. Most of the labor on the Clark memorial tower at the City Park was done by him and its beauty and symmetry are evidence of his craftsmanship.

Mrs. Clark, two daughters, Mrs. Will Johnson and Mrs. Glenn Elderkin, and a son, Delbert Clark, survive. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson who, with their family are at Spirit lake, will arrive in Winterset this evening.
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Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
August 4, 1927
Pg 2

Joel N., son of Caleb and Ruth Clark, was born November 11th, 1856. He was born in Madison county, Iowa, in the old stone house on South Eighth Avenue now occupied by Mrs. M. A. Nelson. His entire life was spent in this county. He was married September 28th, 1880, to Miss Sylvia Darnell. She died February 6th, 1906. To this marriage were born three children, Mrs. Glen Elderkin, Mrs. W. C. Johnson, and Delbert Clark, all living.

His work was stone mason and contractor until 35 years ago and then he entered the monument business and remained in that line of work until 6 years ago, selling out to his son, Delbert Clark, and son-in-law, W. C. Johnson. He took a leading part in the building of the Clark Tower in the Winterset City Park.

He united with the Church of Christ 28 years ago under the preaching of J. M. Lowe.

He was married June 19th, 1922, to Flora Brooks. Since he has retired, he traveled in every state in the union. He was a great lover of nature. He was a member of a family of fourteen children who were charter members of the Church of Christ. He was a great worker and builder.

Mr. Clark leaves to mourn his loss, besides his own family, three sisters, Mrs. Charlotte Gordon, Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, and Mrs. Martha Ballard.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. F. C. McCallon from the Church of Christ, Saturday, July 27th, and burial was in the Winterset cemetery.

Gravestone Photo
 

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