Putnam patriot., 1921-07-01
DAVID E. CLARK
DIES, AGED Sc YEARS
Spent Entire Life In House In
Which He First Saw
Light of Day
Was Active In Putnam Affairs For
Many Years


in the affairs Of Putnam. David Ed
mund Clark. aged So, died Sunday in
the house on killingly road where he
was born. Although he had been in
failing health for many weeks. MIR.
Clark had within few days been in
the business section Of the city. and
talking with friends who had no idea
that his condition was SO serious.
David Edmond Clark vas a repre-
sentative of one of the old and hon
ored families of Connecticut and trac-
ed his lineage back to the Colonial
epoch in our national history. The
interests and activities Of the Clark
family have since that early time been
identified with this one locality.
Windham county, and Mr.. Clark him
self has always lived in the house
where his death occurred.
lie was born IN East Putnam. April
,, 1875. the son Of David aud Mary
Cole Clark He was the youngest
Of five children. Of which he was the
only boy Mr. Glark's father was a
native Of Sterling and was married in
mat town where he vas early en-
gaged as a wagon maker In 1855 he
came To Putnam and purchased the
homestead on kitilnglY read where
David T. Clark vas born
Mr. Clark's education vas received
IN the district school Of Putnam.
which he attended during the winter
months In the summer he did his
share On his fathers farm. At the
axe IF - he BEGAN ms independent
career For several years he eentin-
aed 90 devote his attention h aerieul-
tural pursuits. Later. and before the
death Of his father which was IN Au-
gust. 1916. he entered into the bust
ness of general contracting.
The business. which was carried on
in the vicinity of Putnam. was sue
cessful. and at one time Mr.. Clark
was employing twenty men. In this
line Of work Mr. Clark continued IN
I'll after his fathers death, and his
identification with it lasted more than
a decade. lie then gave up this bust
ness and returned to the farm of
which he assumed control and active
management.
The homestead comprised more
than $50 acres Of land. and was one
Of the NEST valuable and improved
rural estates in the county Mr.
Clark was eminently successful IN his
agricultural endeayor In addition to
general farming. Mr. Clark was par
ticularly Interested IN dairying. and
developed his farm extensively along
these lines Mr. Clark in his later
years has not been able to carry on
his work on so large a scale as for
merry, although he did active work
up until the time of his death.
In his politics Mr.. Clark was a
stauneh supporter OF the general prin-
ciples Of the Republican party, but he
was also firmly in line with prohibit
ton workers, and frequently voted
the ticket Of the prohibition party.
Mr.. Clark's sterling character and in
tegrity were recognized in the COM
munity where he spent his entire life,
and he was called upon to serve in
public office several times. For four
years he was seleetman and for over
Is years he served as road commits
sioner in which capacity he did much
to further the construction Of new
roads IN this town. Il was under his
supervision that many of the older
highways were remade, and brought
up to modern standards.
In his religious faith Mr.. Clark was
a Baptist, and he was an influential
member Of the local organization of
that denomination. For many years
ne WAS president Of the church com
mittee, and a member Of the board Of
trustees.
On November -, 1861, Mr. Clark
was married to Miss Mary Louise
Covell, daughter Of Sampson and Es-
ther Covel Of Putnam. Her death
occurred on the 3lst anniversary Of
their wedding. while she was visiting
IN Worcester. To them two sons were
born. Albert and Herbert, both Of
whom are now dead On December
13. 1893. Mr.. Clark was married to
Miss Gertrude b. Sites, daughter Of
Henry and Emeline (Corson) Sites,
Of New Jersey. Besides his wife Mr..
Clark is survived by two sisters, Mrs.
Clarissa Pierce and Mrs. Julia Place,
both Of Putnam.
The funeral services Of NJ. Clark
were held from his home at 2 o'clock
Thursday afternoon Rev. John G.
stoddard Of the Baptist church Off
ciated and burial was in Grove Street
cemetery. Mr. Clark had been trus-
tee Of this cemetery for more than 20
wears The bearers were deaeons Of
the Baptist church Clarence Pierce,
Harry W. Thompson. Carlton W
Durfee and Moses /. Aldrich
JOSEPH PLEssIs WEEDS