The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-20
DEATH ATTENDS
SURGEONS KNIFE
DIR. j. w. Clarke Succumbs
to Operation.
SERVED DISTRICT 80 YEARS
Appointed by Governor Shepherd, Has
Been Connected With Tax De-
partment Since 1874.
SERVED DISTRICT 80 YEARS

DR.. John W. Clarke, who died yester-
day at his home. 1902 Wyoming Avenue,
as the result of an operation for car
buncle. was in the eighty-sixth year Of
his age and had been in the District
service thirty years, establishing for
himself during this long service repu-
tation for sterling worth and integrity.
He had been absent from his desk IN
the office of the Collector of Taxes only
since last Saturday, and II was not
thought that he was seriously i'll He
died while under the influence of anes-
thetics taken for the operation.
Dr. Clarke had been a resident Of the
District of Columbia continuously since
his birth in ISIS, and had seen the city
develop from a country village to its
present proportions.
Dentist by Profession.
For number of years DR.. Clarke was
actively engaged in the practice of dent
istry, but became connected with the
city government during the administra-
ton of Gov. Alexander R Shepherd and
had remained there ever since.
DR.. Clarke was a brother-in-law Of
the late Gov. Alexander Shepherd. His
nephew by marriage, Moncure Burke,
was for a long time private secretary to
the Engineer Commissioner, but is now
assistant clerk to the District Court Of
Appeals.
DR.. Clarke was first appointed to the
special assessment division in 1874, but
in 1882 was transferred to the office Of
the Collector of Taxes, where he had
the entire charge of certain old and
special assessments. In this work he
had control of all the money accruine
from these collections, and deposited It
in the banks. At the time Of his death
he had charge Of the money collected
from dog taxes
Blow to Associates.
His death was a great blow to his as
sOciates at the District Building. who
regarded him as a hale and well pre-
served man IN spite Of his extreme age
He made himself immensely popular by
his unfailing good humOr and his ac-
o commodating nature. He was up to his
death a most efficient clerk and kept to
the pace set by the younger men around
him.
DR.. Clarke was a prominent Baptist,
having been a deacon Of the First Bap-
fist Church of this city for more than
forty years. He was also a member and
officer of the Oldest Inhabitants Asso-
citation, and had a wide acquaintance
among the older residents Of the Dis
trict of Columbia.
His Strong Character.
DR. Clarke was man of strong per-
sonal character and deep religious con-
victions. and was fearless in standing
for what he thought right in the face
OF opposition At the same time he
had a genial disposition that won and
retained him a host Of friends.
He leaves a wife. Mrs. Katharine Y.
Clarke. who is a sister Of Mrs. A. y.
Bradley. Mrs. A +. Shepherd and DR..
William P. Young. Of this city.
The funeral will take place at the
family home. 1902 Wyoming Avenue. Sat
urday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment
viii be at GlenwOOd. DR.. Charles F Win
bigler pastor Of the First BAPTIST
Church, Will conduct the funeral ser
vices The pallbearers will be e G.
Davis. Prof William A. Wilbur DR..
George G. Samson, G. Powell Grady.
John A. Luttrell. and Edgar Speiden.