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- Martin Ephraim CLARKE, son of
Wellington Alvit and Finette CLARKE, was born
- in Walworth, Wis., July 4, 1866.
The family lived in Minnesota for several years, then moved to
Milton where the sons would have the opportunity to gain an education.
For a time Martin attended school, then became impatient to
be at work. For nine and a half years he was in the service
of the C.M.&St.P. railroad. Ten years ago, becoming tired
of that roving life away from home amid perils and temptations,
he made a settled home in the neighborhood of Milton. July
23, 1900, he was united in marriage with Francis Josephine COON.
After five years upon the farm they moved to the village where
their home has since been. Martin has been in failing health
for three or four years. A few months ago the mind also began
to give way. Neither the loving care of home nor the medical
skill of Madison and Janesville availed to check the progress
of the disease. August 30, 1910, he passed away.
- Martin's genial, friendly disposition
was well known and made him a wide circle of
- friends, as was evidenced by the large
attendance at the funeral services. He was active in the I.O.O.F.,
of which he has been a member for years. He passed through
all the chairs and honors that his local lodge could confer upon
him. He had a religious spirit, which found expression in the
many Bible verses he committed to memory in boyhood, in the Sabbath
school class of which in youth he was one of the most faithful
members, in the revival meetings in which he took an active part.
On account of difficulties which he felt that he would have
being true to his convictions and the covenant of the church
of his choice, he did not become a member. He earnestly said,
however, that he meant to be a Christian just the same. The
warmth, encouragement and fellowship which the church is under
solemn vows to give to all its members, and which young men particularly
need in trying periods of their lives, was not his. Yet the
tie which bound him to deeper things was never given up. Far
as he felt he came from living up to his ideal, his aspirations
were toward God and the divine life. He endeavored to live
the Golden Rule and square his life by the ethics of the New
Testament.
- Services were held at the home of his
parents Sept. 1, conducted by Pastor Randolph.
- A male quartet composed of Messrs.
HURLEY, WELLS, SIMPSON and WHITFORD
sang beautiful selections. The I.O.O.F. burial services was
impressively conducted at the grave by Rev. A. Porter and Prin.
J. F. Whitford, and a large number of members of the order.
[Thursday, p. 2]
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