Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-11-12
Desfh of a Reserve Pioneer.

Dillingham; Clark, Esq. aged go
years, died at his residence in Windhsm,
Portage county, September 96lh.. The
Portage County Democrat furnishes the
following interesting sketch of the life Of
this good old Reserve Pioneer:
Esq. Clark was born in the vicinity
of Cape Cod. but in very early life moved
with bis parents to the town of Beckett,
Berkshire county, Mass. where he grew
up and was married. His residence was
soon transferred to the town of Washing
ton, where he lived when, in 1910. he
united his property with the enterprise
of Beecher, to purchase of the Hon. Ca
leb Strong, of Northampton. a township
Of land in New Connecticut" The
township was purchased. and is now
Windham. Esq. Clark "a one of the
Two selected 10 explore and survey the
new and unseen purchase. He made
the journey on horseback. spent several
days in the survey, encamped during the
night. lulled to sleep by the never ceas
ing howls of hungry wolves, returned
from searching the land in about SIX
weeks, and brought back a good report.
On his way to this goedly land he %sojourn-
ed for a time in the vicinity of Buffalo,
N. Y, was fortunate in adding some
thing to his property. and again in leav-
ing that town just before it was burnt.
being then on his way with his family in
mid winter, to share the tolls, and trials
and dangers of the little colony that bad
gone into the wilderness nearly three
years before, of which be was yet a mem
Der. He arrived early in the year 1914.
and having invested literally, he found
himself owner of zeal one fourth of the
township. The sale of this land as good
settlers called for it. iudicious manage
ment, a rigid economy, and a noble gen
crosby, added rapidly to his wealth and
influence. and there are many to praise
him for the %pecuniary aid afforded in
time of need, and for the patience and
fnrbearance exercised when perils stood
thick. and unforeseen calamities gathered
around the early inhabitants of the town.
But his highest point oil excellence was
his religious character. He joined the
First Congregational Church of Wind
ham on profession of his faith, Oct. I6.h,
1881, dating his conversion back some
years. Refining in life and manners, and
by nature difiIent, he nevertheless was
an efficient helper in his Masters cause.
By his property he did much for the
Church and society of which he was a
member, and for the town, much through
the various benevolent channels of the
day. He gave to Windham its original
burying ground, did much for its educa-
Iionsl interests, in the beginning of its
settlement devised for it Liberal things
He left a liberal fund TO the church, was
one of the donors of its organ, and bore
a liberal part in its annual expense. To
the Western Reserve College he has
given at least $1,000, and to varied be-
neyoience, donations summing up al the
end of the year often more than $500
His Christian life was marked by. con-
sistency, forbearance, unaffected sim
plicity, and generous l~iberality. All
honor to the men. who with toll, self.
sacrifice. and noble daring, transplan,ed
from New England soil TO the townships
OF our own Western Reserve, that never
firing enterprise, pure morality, stern
discipline, holy, simple faith in the Re-
deemer, which has made New England
the praise of all lands.