THE LATE JAMES CLARK
Renfrew Mercury
1938
Death at times seems to levy particularly heavy toll on a community within a brief period. The last three months have seen Renfrew lose three men of more than usual usefulness and prominence; two of them residents for a long term, the other for a shorter but fruitful period. George Eady Jr., Rev. John Hay and now James Clark.
Born on April 8th, l85l, in Lennox County, James Clark came to Renfrew in 1872, after a few years’ experience as a teacher and at surveying, and a year’s experience with his brother-in-law, N.W. Davy, in a drug store at Pakenham. To Renfrew he came to manage a branch store for Smith A. Davy, the Davy of the firm being Mr. Clark’s brother-in-law. The business was established in the building erected by T.B. Muir and known now as China Hall. In about a year’s time, Mr. Smith retired, and the business was managed in the name of N.W. Davy. Shortly afterwards it became Davy & Clark, who removed to the Groves block, and changed again when the business was removed to the Barnet block, Mr. Clark became the sole proprietor and conducted it in his own name. In this building, his in-born sense of the elegant and orderly found expression, in the fitting up of what was then the finest drug store in Eastern Ontario; and which to this day is as strongly fine an interior as will be found anywhere outside of the cities.
From his professional training as a teacher, surveyor and druggist, he was mentally well-equipped for fitting into leadership in many avenues of the Renfrew of 30 years ago. In social life and enjoyments, he was an active figure; then developed into responsible place in several of the beneficent fraternal orders, and later, as his abilities were more generally recognized, took an active part in school and municipal affairs.
In 1884 he first entered the municipal council as councilor; in 1893 he was chosen deputy-reeve, and in 1894 also. In 1895 Renfrew became incorporated as a town and James Craig, who had been reeve, advancing to the mayoralty, Mr. Clark stepped up to the reeveship; and in 1896 became mayor. He was re-elected in 1897, in which year Renfrew’s waterworks system was installed. Mr. Clark, who had been one of those interested in securing this desirable advance, was chairman of the waterworks committee in the year of installation. In school affairs his record also was long. He was first elected to the Board of Education in 1884, and was chosen chairman in 1894. Then he dropped out for a year or two, but was afterwards elected for several terms. The Oddfellows among the fraternal orders, it might be said that his fealty was chiefly given. He was one of the earliest members of Marion lodge; and after going through all the offices to the highest in the district, settled down to the treasurership of the local lodge; and from the excellent and methodical nature of his services there, began to be looked on as the natural holder of the strong box of other institutions – the Canadian Foresters, the Chosen friends and of the Liberal-Conservative Association. In the affairs of the Agricultural and Horticultural societies also, he took deep interest; and was high in office in the Horticultural Society while it was in existence, and after it was merged with the Agricultural society, was vice-president of that organization for many years; declining the presidency when offered it, deeming it wisest that it should be in the hands of someone connected with farming operations. At the annual fair, for many years he was director in charge of floral display, and it was therefore not unfitting that upon the demise of one who had been so intimately connected with the development of floral affairs in the town, the memorial offerings were in profusion and beauty such as had probably never before been seen here.
Besides those from private friends were handsome floral pieces from the Town Council, the Agricultural Society, the Conservative Associations of riding and town, Oddfellows, Canadian Foresters, Chosen Friends, Rebekahs, and the Ladies Aid Society of St Andrew’s congregation.
Mr. Clark was married in 1878 to Miss Annie Cameron, then of Douglas, who survives him; and to whom in her double bereavement – her mother having been laid in Thomson’s Hill only a month ago – a deep measure of sympathy goes out. Four sons also survive; Roy, at present at home; James on his farm near Moose Jaw, Sask.; William, in the drug store here; and Stuart, who is yet at school years. His brother William of Harrowsmith, and sister, Mrs. N.W. Davy of Morrisburg, were both here for the funeral.
Interment was made with members of Oddfellows. At the house the first service conducted by Rev. Mr. Horne, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Quartermaine and Moore (of Douglas). Thereafter the Oddfellows took charge, and as was becoming at the funeral one who had so often led us one of the marshals the well-ordered decoration parades of the Order, the arrangements moved smoothly and with decorum; with Mr. D.W. Budd – so often Mr. Clark’s associate in the processions – in direction; the Citizens Band, playing the Dead March in Saul, leading the Oddfellows – some 50 in number; then the members of the Town Council in carriages, as were leading members of the Liberal Conservative Associations of the town and riding; and then the large body of the citizenship generally. At the cemetery there was commitment service first by Rev. Mr. Horne, then by the Oddfellows; Rev. W.H. M. Quartermaine acting as Noble Grand, and Mr. James H Walford, as chaplain and expressive expression to the fine service. The brethren placed upon the coffin of their late brother their sprigs of evergreen; and then with the band playing “Rock of Ages” earth closed over he who for forty years had contributed his part to the progress of the community, and whose memory will be kept green each year by the services which he helped to inaugurate, and which were the commencement of that orderly maintenance of the cemetery which is so fitting an expression of our higher citizenship.
A TRIBUTE TO JAMES CLARK
(Carleton Place Central Canadian)
Renfrew was plunged into heavy sorrow last week by the sudden death of one of its first citizens, Mr. James Clark druggist. In the evening he was at his store; in the morning he was in his mansion beyond. For thirty years he was a leading figure in every phase of public life – time, money, counsel service, wit and wisdom constantly flowing from him – his fountains never failing. He seemed at times to listen for the knockings of opportunity where other men would silence their ears and close their bowels. If there were times when he seemed gruff and indisposed, it was more like a process of analysis he was putting the petitioner through; when he found things sound his geniality became artesian.
Renfrew has lost many eminent citizens, but none greater or more to be missed than Mr. Clark. He was a Church and Fraternity man, and for a quarter of a century the Treasurer of the Conservative Party of South Renfrew, but again more resplendent than either of these patents of nobility, he was James Clark.