The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-13
Had Suffered for Two Years With NephritIs by Which
 Death Was Caused
ELECTED SHERIFF IN 1886
Was Author of the Famous Anti-Contract Pauper Law
 and Life Long Democrat

Robert Livingston Clarkson, former sheriff of Fairfield county and a man prominent in Democratic politics in the state, died at his home on Main street, Stratford, at 4 o'clock, this morning of nephritis, aged 79 years
 months and 2 days. MT. Clarksor had been i'll over two years. During the past two weeks his condition be- came gradually worse and death came to him peacefully this morning with members Of his family at the bedside
 During the last two years Mr Clarkson had been a patient suffer CT. He was taken i'll on Thanksgiv- ing night, 1910. Dr. DeRuyter How. land was called in to attend and there was an improvement in his condition until sudden relapse occurred about six months after. From that time on MT. Clarkson was unable to be about and his condition varied from good to bad. During the last several months his relatives and friends be- gan to despair of his recovery and his death today came as no surprise to those who knew of his condition.
 MT. Clarkson's fortitude and his uncomplaining disposition were the marvel of those who knew how he suffered. He remained patient un- til the last and imposed little care upon those who remained in constant attendance.
 He was a tr,:e soldier having learn ed the lesson of discipline from ser vice in the United States army. In 1857 he received a commission from the secretary oe war As commissioner ef Fort Adams. Newport, R. l., re brokerage business with his brother, Eugene L.. CIarkson. in New York city. There he remained until 1870 when he came to Stratford to live.
 - MT. Clarkson was born in Sauger- ties N. r., son of William Bayard Clerkson. and great grandson of Robert R Clarkson, both prominent In that town and In 1842 his parents moved to New York city where MT. Clarkson attended the grammar school Of Columbia college. He fin ished his course of sducation in 1849 and then went to. work as a clerk in the warehouse of BealS, Bush and Co, dry goods commisSi ,ners.
 He remained there until 1857 when he received the commission from the secretary of war In the succeeding year he married Annie Ayscough Sands, third daughter of Rear Admir- al Joshua. R. Sands, U. s. N.
 ]. Immediately upon his removal to Stratford Mr. Clarkson became prom inent in the life of that town and soon entered the political activities. He was a member of the town com mittee for eight years and in 1885 was elected Democratic representative to the State Legislature. As a mem Der of the House he distinguished himself in many ways and because of his aggressive fight for popular leg islation. He was author of the fam ous anti-contract pauper law and many other measures which commanded much attention and won him further from the party. In the fall of 1886 he was nominated for sheriff and elected by 722 plurality.
 MT. Clarkson was active in church affairs and was member of the ves- try of Christ church and also junior warden, at one time. A widow and six children survive: Adelaide L.. wife of Edwin J. Spal1 of Stratford; Har- riet s. Van Vechten, wife of Arthur Van .vechten of Elizabeth, N. J.. Rob. e- G. Clarkson and William Bayard C1arkson of Sewaren, N. J., and Annie S,. and Maude l.. ClarksOn at home. He also leaves three brothers: Mont, gomery and Howard of New York and Walter Clarkson of Oyster Bay, and two sisters, Fannie and Adelaide CIarkson, both of New York.