Ernest B. Clarke (1867-1933)

CLARKE, CHALLANS, BOOTS, RUSSELL, BICKERSTAFF

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

From Nevada Evening Journal April 4, 1933 (page 3)

Clarke Funeral Monday Afternoon; Burial in Nevada

Funeral services for the late E. B. Clarke, who met tragic death at his home in Colo Wednesday afternoon, were held at Methodist Episcopal church and was attended by a group of old neighbors and friends that well filled the maid body of the church.

While the funeral sermon was preached by his long time friend, C. E. Lookingbill, a number of other pastors assisted in the service. Scripture was read by Rev. Harold Stark of the Marion street church of Boone, prayer was offered by Rev. Walter Scheuermann, pastor of the Methodist churches of Colo and Maxwell, a vocal solo "Face to Face" was sung by Rev. William Bainbridge of Centerville and the obituary was read and personal remarks made by Rev. Geo. A. Lawton, pastor of the Nevada Methodist church.

The songs were by a male quartette consisting of Messrs. Hathaway, Stevens, Wendell and Fawcett, with Ted Christensen at the organ.

There was many friends and relatives here for the services and included among them were many from the Colo and Maxwell neighborhoods.

The local Masonic Lodge was in charge of the interment.

The obituary, as prepared and read by his pastor follows:

Ernest B. Clarke was born in Barrington, Somersetshire, England, June 10, 1867, and passed away at his home in Colo, March 29, 1933, at the age of 65 years, 9 months and 19 days. He was the son of James and Elizabeth Clarke, who came with his parents to the United States in 1871 and located in Philadelphia, Pa. In the year of 1873 he came to Morgan county, Illinois to make his home with James Bond. Here he grew to manhood. At the age of 21 he began to ear his livelihood. A year and a half later he went to Great Falls, Montana and engaged in railroad construction work, in the engineering department.

In the spring of 1894 he came to Story county where he lived at Maxwell for a period of one year. In 1895 he returned to Morgan county, Illinois, and later engaged in farming and stock raising in Sangamon county.

He was united in marriage to Miss Etta Challans of Sangamon county, at Waverly, on Octboer 12, 1898. To this union were born nine children, four sons, five daughters. One son died in infancy. The children are Sydney C., of Mechanicsville, Mrs. Mary E. Boots, of Morley, Mrs. Alberta E. Russell of Mechanicsville, Mrs. Ruth A. Bickerstaff of Morley, Charles E., Long Beach, California, Bernice A. M., Edith I. and Clarence M. at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Clarke lived in Illinois until 1913, with the exception of one year, 1906, which was spent in California. They came to Iowa in the spring of 1913 and located on a farm near Maxwell. In 1920 they moved to Mechanicsville and located on a farm south Colo, moving into town in 1927 where they made their home until 1930 when they moved to Nevada. They returned to Colo the first of March this year.

When a lad he joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church and continued his membership until after his marriage when he united with the Methodist church. He was a member of the independent Order of Odd Fellows, was a Past Grand, having filled all the chairs, his membership was at Colo. He was a member of the Rebekahs and the Eastern Star and Nevada Lodge No. 99 A. F. & A. M.

Mr. Clarke was a man of keen perception and untiring energy, he had met with success in his undertakings and as he has been dependent upon his own resources from an early age he deserves great credit for what he had accomplished in life. He took a very active part in religious activities, having served on official boards and was superintendent of various Sunday schools. He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, eight children, six grand children, three brothers, Sydney of Paris, France, Vincent and Charles of Ocean City, N. J., and a host of friends and other relatives.