Clarence Clark (1877-1936)

CLARK, WALD, NERVIG, MARSHALL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/23/2023 at 14:51:44

From The Slater News August 12, 1936 (page 4)

CLARENCE CLARK

Clarence Clark, so of Marshall and Mary Clark, was born in Garden Prairie township, northwest of Slater, August 2, 1877. He was called to his eternal home August 8, 1936, at an age of 59 years and 6 days.

When Clarence was about four years old the family moved to Sheldahl, where he began his education. After a five years' residence in Sheldahl the family moved to Slater, where a new town was being built. Thus the Clark family were among Slater's early settlers. Clarence completed his education in the Slater schools.

When 18 years old he secured employment in the Slater creamery, then in its infancy. Trying to improve himself, he and his brother, Bert, formed the Clark Bros. dray line. Popular and obliging and not afraid to work, the boys did well.

When a vacancy occurred in the creamery, Clarence, feeling that he was in a measure at least fitted to do the work, applied for the job--and got it after some delay. Preparatory to assuming his new duties he took a short course in dairying at the Iowa State college in Ames to further equip himself for the work.

On taking charge he faced a grave situation. Interest in the creamery was at a low ebb. This was reflected in the amount of butter made--less than twenty tubs a week. It was at this point that Clark gave a practical demonstration of what can be accomplished by one who is not afraid of work and can face a situation with courage and determination.

He sought the advice of friends as optimistic as himself, with the result that things began to hum. He won the confidence of the old patrons; new ones were added daily. Business grew with leaps and bounds. New buildings, new equipment followed in rapid order to keep pace with the ever increasing patronage. Thus the years came and went with Clarence at the helm directing its policies till today, when it is on of the largest creameries in the state, with 2,200 patrons, as compared to 47 when he took charge. It was a great job, well done.

All these years he kept in touch with dairying all over the state through dairy associations, dairy meeting, dairy periodicals and in other ways. He served as director of the Iowa Buttermakers' association and was a lifelong member of the Pioneer Buttermakers association of America.

From an early date Mr. Clark was an active, useful citizen. Not only was he interested in the church and schools, but in civic matters as well and he served the town in many capacities--as mayor, councilman, president of the Commercial Club and in other ways.

On June 17, 1903, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Anna Marie Wald. Eight children were born to them. Of these, Bessie died in infancy. The other seven survive him and with the mother are today mourning the passing of a beloved husband and father. They are Ralph, Mrs. Morril Nervig, Oriett Marshall, Robert, Jessie Mae and Marium, all of Slater. He is also survived by his aged mother, Mrs. Mary Clark; a brother, Bert Clark; two grandchildren, Paul and Clark Nervig, and many other relatives and friends.

Mr. Clark's parental hoe was a Christian one and he attended religious services from childhood days. In the same year of his marriage he was happily converted under the ministry of Rev. Golden and united with the Methodist church. He had been one of its most active, faithful workers ever since, serving it in many capacities and was its Sunday school superintendent and a trustee at the time of his death.

Mr. Clark always enjoyed abounding health until four years ago, when he suffered a severe stomach disorder which threatened to be fatal, but which cleared up he returned to vigorous health and strength. However, last October the trouble returned and since then he and his loving family had waged a losing battle and the end cam about 10:30 last Saturday morning.

The deceased was a person with many splendid traits of character. He enjoyed many friends. During the last days of his illness many of the salesmen, friends of years' standing, would not be content to make the business call at the plant, but took time enough to call at the home, where they could look again into the eyes and clasp the hand of a dear friend. On several of such occasions, when each knew that they were clasping hands for the last time on earth, note would be taken of the blessed hope that the heavenly home where parting shall be no more. His Christian witness was one of victory and blessed fellowship with Jesus. He told his pastor that at night when he could not sleep he got to thinking of how good God had been to him and he felt like breaking forth in a mighty shout of praise. And so he left us to be with God and to await our coming.

"Servant of God, well done!
Thy glorious warfare's past,
The battle is fought,
The race is won
And thou art crowned at last."