Mrs. Harriet Clarke, Daughter of Spicer Saunders and Harriet Dwight Saunders, was born at Plainfield Center, New York, September 13, 1832, and died at her home in Milton, Wis., January 23, 1917.
She was married on October 13, 1852, to Sherrill J. Clarke. To them were born three children, Irving Benton, Judson Dwight, and Ann Cora Clarke. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke have five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren living. Mrs. Clarke has two sisters living. Mrs. Lyman Smith of Ithaca, N. Y., and Mrs. William M. Johnston of River Forest, Ill.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Clarke made their home at Leonardsville, N. Y., for four years and then came to Milton in the fall of 1856, where they have since lived.
When a girl of twelve or fourteen years of age she gave her heart and life to God and was baptized by Elder Rowe at Winfield, N. Y., but she did not unite with a church till after their marriage when she united with the S. D. B. church at Leonardsville, N. Y.
Soon after coming to Milton she united with the Milton church, in the pastorate of the Rev. W. C. Whitford, and for more than sixty years has been a regular attendant at its services; helpful in all its activities, and by her life, words and works has inspired a large circle of acquaintances in this and other communities.
For thirty years or more she was a member of the choir of this church, and probably for a longer period than this she was a teacher in the Sabbath School. She was active in the work of the Ladies Benevolent Society of the church, and for several years was a member of the Village Improvement Club. From the organization of the W. C. T. U. till her death she was an enthusiastic member, working for the prohibition of the liquor traffic. In the S. D. B. denomination her service has been most helpful in the Woman's Board, with the exception of the first two years, an officer of the Board since its organization in 1884. She served fourteen years as it's President, six years as Honorary president, eight and one half years as First Vice President and two years as Associational Secretary.
Those who have known Mrs. Clarke in these different organizations appreciate the truthfulness of the words of her husband, who has happily enjoyed her companionship for nearly sixty-five years of wedded life, "She was as true to duty as the needle to the North Pole."
Memorial services were held at the church on the afternoon of January 26, and were attended by many relatives and sympathizing friends. The music was by a quartet who sang three pieces that Mr. and Mrs. Clarke had frequently sung at funerals, and that he chose to be sung at this service, and requested that the same should be used at his funeral.
Mrs. A. B. West, President of the Woman's Board, spoke of Mrs. Clarke's long and helpful service as an officer in the Board. Rev. H. N. Jordan made appreciative remarks about her faithfulness in Christian work, and Rev. Willard D. Burdick spoke from the last verses of the 31st chapter of Proverbs, dwelling particularly on the points that she was an industrious woman, a woman of wisdom and kindness, and trustworthy. Interment was made in the Milton Cemetery.
Mrs. Clarke will be greatly missed in the circles which she moved, and particularly in the prayer meeting and Sabbath services of the church.
The relatives from away who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Johnston, W. S. Johnston and John A. Johnston, Chicago; W. H. Clarke, Mr. and Mrs. Theo. A. Clarke and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Clarke, Brodhead; Mrs. C. S. Sayre, Albion; R. W. Clarke, Madison.
