Ethan Clarke, son of Rev. Henry and Catherine (Pendleton) Clarke, was born at Hopkinton, R. I., March 30, 1789. At an early age with his father, who was one of a Rhode Island colony of Sabbatarians, he emigrated to Brookfield, N. Y., remaining there but a few years, when he went to Plainfield, N. Y. In the spring of 1821 Mr. Clarke came to Oxford and purchased the Stage House, which he conducted for several years in connection with the stage lines running through this valley, an important enterprise at that day. Afterwards he engaged in mercantile business, the first year or two with Henry Balcom, later with Ebenezer Sherwood, and from 1840 with his brother-in-law, Captain Joseph H. Dwight, which continued till the death of the latter in 1845. In 1854 his sons, James W. and Francis G., with Frederick A. Sands, became his partners. At the expiration of a year Mr. Sands withdrew. Shortly after the opening of the Chenango canal the firm added storage and forwarding to their business, becoming extensive dealers in produce. The address, 'Care E. Clarke, Oxford, N. Y.,' was marked on innumerable boxes, bales, bundles, barrels, crates, and hogsheads, sent to every country store within a radius of forty miles of Oxford, and the name was a household word in every farmhouse in the same circle, where butter was made to be sent to New York city and a market, until the canal boat, like the stage coach became a thing of the past. The name 'Clarke' was a synonym for energy, honor, and business integrity. Mr. Clarke died Sunday, February 8, 1857. He had been in usual health and attended church in the morning. Owing to the sudden rise of the river on that day the guard bank to the canal feeder commenced giving away in the afternoon, making it necessary to removed a quantity of flour from the store cellar. Mr. Clarke assisted with his usual activity and energy. During the work of removal he was found in an insensible state and quickly removed to his residence, where death ensued. Mr. Clarke married (1) Lucy, daughter of Reuben and Hannah (Johnson) Wilcox; married (2) September 5, 1814, Rachel, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Cowell) Case, born December 28, 1792; died August 25, 1854, in Oxford. The widow, orphan, and stranger ever found in her a sympathizing friend, and the poor a constant benefactor.
