The Press., 1889-10-10
WILLIAM NELSON CLARK, M. D.
An obituary by c B. Newton, M D., Stafford Springs Reprinted from the Proceedings of the Connecticu Medical Society," 1889.

| Reprinted from the Proceedings of the Connecticut Medical Society, 1ss9
 Dr. William N. Clark was born in Chaplin, Connecticut, the eldest of six children. He died May 26, 1888, aged 8l years, in Stafford, where he had been in practice for nearly 58 years, beside one year of practice in his native town. He studied with Dr. Orrin Witter, of Chaplin, attended lectures at the Yale Medical Col lege, and graduated March 4th, 1880, hav- ing had for his teachers Profs Eli Ives, Hubbard, Silliman, William Fully, and J.. Knight. His diploma is signed by John 1 s. Peters, president, and Prof. J. Knight, clerk of the committee of examination. His name first appears upon the records of Holland County Medical Society in 1881, He married Miss Mary w. Converse, of his native town, in November, 1886. By this marriage he had two daughters, now living. His wife died in 1859, of thoracic Susan, daughter of Judge Richmond, of Ashford, who survives him. His father, John Clark, was Chaplin farmer. I find that he has been President of his County | Medical Society repeatedly, and represent ed his society many times in State Medical conventions. believe he has contributed interesting, papers to them. If it was pos | sible for him to attend the county and state conventions, he would do so either as delegate or visitor. He had no other occupation save that of his profession, to l which he was altogether devoted. He had an earnest and positive nature, fond of his medical studies as we'll as it's practice. He served his town as selectman, assessor, and upon the school board of visitors, and as director of the National bank. He was a gentleman and physician of the old school, belonging to a generation now past, though no less successful, no less willing to do what could be done whether by night or by day to ward of, and to anti clpate so far as physician can peer into future of case, which may imperil the patients life.
 He was hard laborer in his chosen field, and was blessed with physical endurance beyond that of the average person. Even during his last years he had the same alert step, the energetic manner and business way about him, so characteristic of him in his earlier days. When the writer first knew him, he was the chief accoucheur of his town. The patient knew to certain | lty that when he arrived at her bedside there would be no unnecessary delay. If l active measures were urgent, she soon realized that she had not called in the wrong doctor. He was bold, as an opera tor, and had no cautious timidity after he had made out the course to adopt.
 In those early days when he began prac- tice, the patient was not told if he would consent to an operation, ether or cocaine would be given to make it painless. The patient was expected to show little hero ism If he had it. Also the surgeon had oc- l casion for degree of fortitude hardly l needed today.
 He lived useful life, faithful to his fPatsens, puinstakirg, driving iiS all kinds of weather, and never seemed to be weary was always ready to answer the calls oi everyone far or near. He performed an immense amount of professional labor fol l which his accounts were never balanced, but he visited these cases because assist ance was needed, and as an act of hu | manity.
 Notwithstanding this gratuitous work he was so good inancier that he could have retired from active labor years ago to enjoy at rest his well-earned compe tence and his pleasant home.
 | He was Universalist in his religious belief, having been an attendant and supporter of that church during the whole time of his residence here. He had the | oe@oAo iu0ooAouluS uPOA dll SuUJ0CIS, tue same Thomas-like asking for further evi. dence and for more light upon the great mystery. Several years before his decease, he had an attack of crystic haematuria while visiting relative at Westerly, R. L. from which he recovered. Another attack which terminated his life was induced by over exertion. The hemorrhage being very profuse, he died at the end of week from the attack in semi-comatose condi- tion, probably from uremic ood-poison. ing. His long time pastor and friend, Rev. G. V. Maxham, says of him: The Doctor had an inquiring and curious mind when boy. A few books obtained he read over and over. Newspapers in those days were as rare as elephants. The na. tural tend of his mind was toward analysis, and through life he was fond of abstruse questions. When once it had clear lodge ment in his brain, he held it we'll. Those were years of trouble and hardship. He put his hand bravely to the work before him, studyidg and teaching at an early age, preparing himself for the arduous duties of the professional life before him. | ----E
 A remarkable accident occurred Wednes. day on the big bridge across the river al