Clark, Martha Cilley Brainerd 1846-1912

CLARK, BRAINERD, POOR, CILLEY, DEWEY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/14/2011 at 15:22:20

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Oct. 18, 1912

INTO THE LIGHT

The death of Mrs. E.W. Clark breaks another of the links that connected us with the beginnings of Grinnell. A little account of her life may interest those who love our town.

Martha Cilley Brainerd was born in the Presbyterian parsonage of the old Scotch-Irish town of Londonderry, N.H., on Nov. 12, 1846, the third daughter and fourth child of Harriet Poor Cilley and Rev. Timothy Green Brainerd. Another sister was born and then the young mother passed on, leaving behind her four little girls to comfort the busy pastor.

The appeal of the motherless girls and needs of the parish for a leader of the women brought to them a new mother, Lucinda Dewey, from Hanover, N.H.

Even then the parents' thoughts turned to the west and the opportunities for work in a new country. The appeals published in the New York Independent for the proposed colony at Grinnell were thoughtfully considered but the way did not then open.

In 1854, after fourteen years' service at Londonderry, the father moved to Halifax, Mass., to be the pastor of the Congregational church. We suspect that his "radicalism" in preaching and practicing total abstinence had soemththing to do with the move, since his predecessor was accustomed to being helped home after a round of parish calls.

In 1866 the way to the land of opportunity opened and in the fall of that year the family came to Grinnell, tho the daughters did not arrive till spring. Martha had been well trained for her chosen work of teaching. A student at Abbott Academy, Andover, and a graduate of the Salem Normal School, she had served her apprenticeship in the city schools of Charlestown, Mass., now a part of Boston.

She entered at once into the work at Grinnell, helping in the first real organization and grading. At least two of our present principals of schools began their studies as her pupils at this time.

In the autumn of 1874 she was married to Dr. E.W. Clark and thenceforward they worked together. As five of her ancestors had answered to the Lexington alarm so she was early to respond to a civic call. When women were first made eligible to the school boards of Iowa, with her husband's assent she was a candidate and with Mrs. Mathew Phelps was elected and served two terms. So she responded to the call for service in the Education Society, the Cemetery Association, the church and the Mission field; wherever there was a call.

But these things after all were only the extras of life. Her real work was in her home; while mothering her own family of five children, she always added others: first her brother, Will, when he was left homeless through his mother's death, then a long line who shared the home and were proud to be called her boys as they went out into the world; who came back in after years to tell her of their deeds and share their honors. So a group of "Her Boys" came back yesterday that their loving hands might lay her body at rest.

For the past year she has been an invalid but with mind alert has been a comfort and inspiration to her friends; while life has been a joy to herself.

Since the paralytic stroke some two weeks ago she has been but partly conscious and was spared pain. Tuesday evening, rousing with the illumnation sometimes granted to the dying, she said, "I can see better now! I can see better now!" and so passed on into the Light.
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The funeral services were held at the home Thursday conducted by her pastor, Dr. P.F. Marston. Music was by the College quartet. Bearers were Senator E.H. Hoyt, of Manchester, Dr. P.E. Somers, B.J. Ricker, S.J. Pooley, Fay Williams, of Shenandoah, and Fred Trainer of Ackley.