Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-19
MR.. AUGUSTUS BURFooT CLARKE.

MR.. AUGUSTUS BURFOOT CLARKE.
determination to obtain better educa-
ton. He entered the Virginia Baptist
Seminary now Richmond Collesc), Of
which Or. Robert Ryland was then presi-
dent. After spending two years there
he went 10 Washington, ID. c., and at
tended the Colombian College.
TAUGHT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
Leaving college he taught school for
five or six years, but his health failing
in consequence Of the combining and Sc
dentary employment. he abandoned 1t
and for several years engaged In farming
at his home in the country. During this
time having a desire to visit relatives in
Kentucky, as there was no railroad In
that direction; and, In fact, only short
line in the State, he rode out there and
returned on horseback.
Subsequently, Mr.. Clarke returned TO
Richmond, and in 1850 engaged in the
hardware business, continuing in this
line until the war, when he was APP
pointed to a position in the Treasury
Department Of the Confederate States.
After the war he was made business
manager of the Religious Herald, and In
1870 he re-established his hardware bust
ness, in which no had since been asso-
ciated with his son, Mr.. G. Harvey
Clarke, under the firm name Of A. b.
Clarke & Son. For some years, how
ever his interest in the firm had been
only nominal, and he had been too feeble
TO take an active part IN the business.
PROMINENT IN CHURCH WORK.
Mr.. Clarke was a prominent Christian
worker from his early manhood. When,
in 1853, the Leigh-Street Baptist church
was organized, he transferred his men,
bership from the First church, OF which
he was then a member For forty-dve
years he had been deacon and one Of
the leading members OF the former
church. For a number OF years he was
superintendent Of the Sunday school. and
for more than twenty years he had
charge OF the primary department, which
he organized himself, and conducted
with such eminent success that the school
has become we'll known among the Bap-
lists Of the State. To this work he was
greatly devoted, and he was loved by all
Of the scholars of his school He OBJ
served a beautiful custom OF keeping a
record OF the date OF the birth of each
one Of the children under his charge, and
on their birthdays sent to each a beauti-
full card and note of greeting. In re-
cent years he had devoted almost all
of his time to this department of church
work, in which he was deeply interested.
The church with which he has been con-
nected is remarkable for the great num-
Der Of ministers IT has sent out and this
record is in no email measure due to the
efforts Of Mr.. Clarke. He was also
prominent IN UNCONVENTIONAL affairs. For
about thirty years he had been a member
OF the Foreign Mission Board OF the
Southern Baptist Convention, and Of
which ne was recording secretary up to
a few weeks before his death. He was
also a member of the Board OF Managers
Of the Virginia Bible Society.
HIS FAMILY-THB FUNERAL.
In 1850 Mr.. Clarke married Miss Emma
B. Keesee, daughter of Jesse +. Keesee,
an honored city official. Mrs. Clarke
died in February, 1892. Mr.. Clarke leaves
two sons-G. Harvey Clarke, Of a. b.
president Of the Old Dominion Iron and
Nail-Works Two brothers also survive
him-John W. Clarke, Of Henrico. and
Major Charles Hammet Clarke. recently
Of North Carolina. but now of this city.
The funeral services will be from the
First Baptist church tomorrow CMonday)
afternoon at o'clock. The following
pall-bearers have been selected:
Honorary-Professor Charles II. Win
stotn, Rev. /. NJ. Mercer, D. D., Rev. r.
]. Willingham, D. D., Josiah Ryland, t.
hODeTlS DdhtIi W. D. W CsNNOpNi W.
Godsey, Dr. j. Page Massie. John C. VIII
liams. D. S. Mccarthy, and w. II. Scott.
Active-Messrs. j. c. Parkinson, X. G.
Thornton, 4. r. Yarbrough, George a.
Goode, r. A. Cary. Samuel b. Woodfin,
W. Wortley Diclxie, w. S. Donnan,
Charles T. Walford.
Death of Mrs. Wright.
Mrs. Julia Douglas Wright died at
o'clock last night at the residence Of her
husband, Mr.. Francis Edgar Wright, 62S
north Eighth street. Mrs. Wright had
been in Ill health for a long time, and
Tor some weeks 1t had been apparent that
the end was gradually drawing nigh.
She bore her suffering with heroic
courage. and surrounded by those she
loved and who comforted her in her
hours Of pain, she patiently awaited the
final summons.
Deceased was a daughter Of General
James r. Muse, and was in the 10Th year
of her age. She is survived by her hus-
band and four children-Misses Mamie,
Douglas, Gray, and Master Julian
Wright. The funeral will take place from
the residence Monday morning at II
o'clock.