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Clark - Wesley Fletcher

Source: The Indianapolis Star - Wednesday 29 January 1913 p 5

After an illness of four hours the Rev. Wesley Fletcher Clark, 66 years old, died at his home in West Lafayette. Acute indigestion was the cause of death. He had attended a meeting of the Ministers' Association and while making a talk was taken sick. He was born in Waveland, Montgomery County, in 1847, and was educated at Terre Haute. He took up a theological course in the Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston, Ill., and entered the Northwest Indiana Methodist Conference in 1877. He held charges at Yountsville, Jamestown, Newton, Zionsville, Dayton, Mulberry, Shawnee Mount and Kentland, Ind., and also had charges for five years in the state of Washington. He retired from active service in 1907. Since retiring he supplied churches at Raub, Stateline and Roachdale. The widow and L. L. Clark of Indianapolis, a brother, survive. - kbz

Source: New Richmond Record 30 Jan 1913 p 3

Rev. Wesley Fletcher Clark, a well known Methodist divine, died at 3:30 o’clock Monday afternoon at the family residence, 437 Vine street, West Lafayette, after a brief illness.  Mr. Clark attended a meeting of the Lafayette Ministers’ association in the parlors of the Y. M. C. A. building Monday morning and took part in the discussion. After a five minutes talk he felt ill and left the building, but did not tell his associates in the ministry that he was indisposed. He walked to Main street and boarded the first West Side car. When the car reached the north side of the square, his condition was so serious that it attracted the attention of William Lugar, who had boarded the car at Fourth street. Mr. Lugar asked the conductor to call the city service wagon and when the car readied Third street, Mr. Clark was transferred to the wagon. He was able to leave the car and walk to the wagon, but was so weak that he fell just as he reached the vehicle. He told Mr. Lugar that his illness was acute indigestion. He said that he had had a number of attacks, but none quite as severe as the one from which he was then suffering. He was in a state of collapse when the city service wagon reached his home and Dr. Lolland was called. Remedies were administered and Mr. Clark revived. He said that he was feeling much better. Shortly after 3 o’clock his heart action began to fail and he died in a few minutes.

Mr. Clark was born at Waveland in Montgomery county on January 5, 1847, and was educated at Terre Haute. He taught school for some time and, after deciding to enter the ministry, took a theological course in the Garrett Biblical institute at Evanston, Ill. He entered the Northwest Indiana M. E. conference in 1877, was ordained a deacon in 1879 and was ordained an elder in 1881. His first charge was at Yountsville. He then held charges at Jamestown, Newtown, Zionsville, Dayton and Mulberry, Shawnee Mound and Kentland. He was then transferred to the Puget Sound conference in the state of Washington and served there from 1891 to 18%. While in Washington he was pastor at Mount Vernon, Coupeville and Lacomer. He returned to the Northwest Conference in 1896 and held charges at Bringhurst, Knox, Russellville, Trader’s Point and New Richmond. He retired from active service in 1907, but supplied the churches at Ranh, State Line and Roachdale. Mr. Clark was married twice. His first wife Miss Henrietta Taylor, daughter of Rev. Luther Taylor, and they were married in 1878. Mrs. Clark died in 1890. On October 6,1892, he was married to Mrs. Mary Felton, who survives. No children were born to either union. Mr. Clark owned a cottage at Battle Ground and spent most of his summers there. He moved to the West Side five years ago. Mr. Clark was a man of marked ability and was successful as a pastor. He was quiet and unassuming in manner, but was earnest and sincere. He was a capable business man and was a man of high integrity. He was devoted to his profession and his example and influence were far reaching and beneficial. The funeral arrangements have not been completed but the services will be held Wednesday afternoon at the West Side Methodist Church.


Source: Lafayette Journal and Courier Tue Jan 28, 1913 p 5

After an illness of but four hours, Rev. Wesley Fletcher Clark died yesterday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at his home at 437 1/2 Vine Street, West Side. Dr. Clark attended the meeting of the Ministers' association in the city yesterday morning and took part in the discussion.  While making a talk he was taken sick and left the building without telling his associates he was ill.  He boarded a West Side Street Car at Sixth street and rapidly grew worse. When the car reached Third Street he was removed and placed in the city ambulance which had been called by passengers who noted his condition.  He was taken to his home and Dr. WA Lofland was called. His condition improved and it was thought that he was suffering with but another attack of acute indigestion which frequently bothered him. About 3 o'[clock his condition began to get worse and he died a half hour later.  Rev. Clark was born in Waveland, Montgomery County Jan 5 1847 and was educated in Terre Haute. He taught school for some time and later decided to enter the ministry.  He took up a theological course in the Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston, Ill and entered the Northwest Indiana ME Conference in 1877.  He was ordained a deacon in 1879 and later ordained an elder in 1881.  His first charge was at Yountsville.  He also held charges at Jamestown, Newton, Zionsville, Dayton, Mulberry, Shawnee Mound and Kentland. He was then transferred to the Puget SOund conference in the state of Washington and served there from 1891-1896.  While in Washington he was pastor at Mount Vernon; Coupeville and Lacomber churches.  He returned to the Northwest conference in 1896 and held charges in Bringhurst, Knox, Russellville, Traders Point and New Richmond.  He retired from active service in 1907 and since has been living on the West Side. Since retiring he supplied the churches at Raub, State Line and Roachdale.  Dr. Clark was married twice. His first wife was Miss Henrietta Taylor, daughter of Rev Luther Taylor. They were married in 1878.  Mrs. Clark died in 1890.  He was married to Mrs. Mary Felton in 1892.  No children were born to either union.  Rev. Clark was a man of marked ability and was successful as a pastor.  He was quiet and unassuming in manner but earnest and sincere. He was a capable business man and man of high integrity.  Dr. Clark was devoted to his profession and his example and influence were far reaching and beneficial. Since living on the West Side he has taken an active part in the work of the West Side Methodist Church and has occupied the pulpit of the church on various occasions. Mr. Clark owned a cottage at Battle Ground and spent much of his time there. He was probably one of the best-known Methodist ministers in the state and his death will cause a shock to his host of friends.
Besides the widow, he is survived by the following brothers and sisters; Mrs. Perry Derrick of Attica; Dr. SHelby Clark of South Bend; Mrs. Ella Pierce of Valparaiso; LL Clark, Indianapolis; Mrs. CH Clement of Shawnee Mound. Mrs. Pierce is ill and will be unable to attend the funeral.The funeral will be conducted from the West Side Methodist Church  tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and Dr. AW Wood, presiding elder of the Northwest conference will conduct the service.  He will be assisted by Rev. MC Wright, pastor of the church, Dr. SP Colvin, Dr. George W. Switzer, Dr. Buckles and others. The interment will be in SPringvale cemetery. - kbz


Source: Lafayette Journal and Courier 3 March 1913 Monday p 5

The Lafayette Ministers' Association today adopted the following: It is with deep emotion that we contemplate the very sudden death of our fellow member and worker. Rev. Wesley Fletcher Clark which death occurred on Monday Jan 27, 1913.  We appreciate the pleasant memory we have of his helpfulness and fellowship in the Lafayette Ministerial association.  His interest in every topic under consideration, his words of conviction, earnestly and clearly expressed, revealed to us his active thought, his high ideals, knowledge of the word of God and the current thought of the time and gave to us an insight into his life and character.  By these associations we became acquainted with him and learned to appreciate his personal character and influence in our association.  Therefore we desire to place on record our estimate of his fine Christian character and the sadness we feel in the sudden death that has removed him from us. We wish also to express our confidence in the great fundamental principles of our religion and the hope that remains for the man of God who is called into the life internal.  

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