DAVID CLARK, of Hartford, was the son of Amasa and Eleanor (Fuller)
Clark, of Hampton, Conn., and was born in that town Oct. 12, 1806. He was
of full Revolutionary descent.
Mr. Clark married Miss Julia M. Ross, of Chaplin,
Conn., Oct. 12, 1827. He came to Hartford in April, 1832, and died Oct.
8, 1889. His wife died June 7, 1892. We cannot do better for this sketch
than to give the following tribute to Mr. Clark by his long-time friend,
Judge D. W. Pardee:
"By the death of Mr. David Clark a remarkable
man has been taken from the visible life of Hartford. Physically he was
a fine specimen of the men whose youth is passed upon the hill-country
farm, and who therefore are so strong that they came to fourscore years.
His stalwart frame, supporting a sound head, made him a noticeable figure
in any company. He changed early from the farm to the counting-house. As
a merchant he was of untiring industry. If at any time losses came upon
him, he still held his courage; and his determination to succeed made him
victor at last. And his is the rare honor due to one who pays debts collectible
no other wise than in the court of conscience.
"He closed his business as a merchant in middle
manhood, although in health and in success. From time to time he secured
to himself and to his family the pleasure and culture to be gained from
wide travel at home and abroad. Meantime, his fortune increased. But he
was watchful, persistent and untiring in giving of the increase, in sums
large and small, in manifold ways and in numberless instances. Not only
this, but he gave of his time, his strength, his knowledge; gave willingly
of himself—charity in the highest form. By the law of his being he was
hospitable. Few home doors in this city opened so easily, so widely, or
so frequently as did his. There was the ever ready place at his board for
friend or stranger.
''Having released himself from the cares of
active business, he resumed as a diversion the occupation of his early
life. He improved a farm. Many will remember that in person he brought
of its products to their doors as gifts; and all will remember that at
last, in loving memory of a son, he gave the farm to the uses of the sick
and homeless. The faculties of his mind were with him in strength to the
last, even his exceptionally retentive memory, which enabled him to marshal
in their order many even of the minor events in his life and assign to
each its appropriate day, and month, and year. So of his body: he ever
had that great possession, abounding health. Passing fourscore, yet the
rising sun would sometimes find him by the stream with rod and fly; and
sometimes on the frosted hillside waiting for the cry of the hound.
"In his business, in his recreation, in his
home, and among men, he put much into his life, and drew much out of it—drew
not only for himself, but for others as well. Many have lost a friend,
indeed."
(Photo attached.)
Commemorative
Biographical Record
of
Hartford County,
Connecticut
Illustrated
Chicago
J. H. Beers & Co.
1901
pgs 52
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