CLARKE, John

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One of Franklin’s Most Prominent
Citizens Passes Away.

John Clarke, president of the Franklin National Bank, died Friday night at 8 o’clock at his rooms in The Clarke House. He had been ill for several months of indigestion, and during the past seven or eight weeks had been confined to his room. The last day he was out was on Thanksgiving day when he spent a few hours at the home of his daughter, Mrs. V. Smith.

The news of his death, while not wholly unexpected, yet caused surprise to many who had not been apprised of the serious nature of his illness. The many expressions of regret and sorrow heard on all sides, indicated in some measure the profound respect in which he was held in the community.

Mr. Clarke’s long life of 77 years was one of continued success in bus­iness, and one in which industry, integrity, kindness and moral rectitude were combined in a high degree. During his residence in Franklin which dates back to 1861 —a period of 35 years— he did much for the welfare of the city. A large number of good bus­iness rooms and blocks remain as the results of his enterprise and interest in Franklin.

He was born in Saybrook, Conn., in 1818 and the following year was brought by his parents, Benjamin W. and Polly (DeWolf) Clarke, to Indiana who located in what is now Jennings county. Seven years later his mother died leaving seven small children.

The father moved to Madison where he died one year later. The children were left in the care of friends, and with considerable property. In 1829 they returned to Vernon, and here Mr. Clarke grew to manhood and became engaged in mercantile pursuits, first as clerk and afterwards as a member of the firm. In 1845 he moved to Edinburg and continued in the merchandise bus­iness until 1861 when he removed to Franklin. For ten years he conducted a milling business where Mr. Suckow’s mill now stands. Becoming interested in banking he abandoned the mill and gave all his attention to the Second National Bank, serving as president for about eleven years. When this and the Franklin bank were consolidated, Mr. Clarke was elected president and con­tinued in this capacity until his death.

Deceased had been a member of the Presbyterian church since 1850. In that year he was married to Jane P. Fink, who was born in Pittsburg, Pa., and died in 1876 in this city. In 1878 he was married to Mary P. Charlton, of Vernon, who survives.

Only one child, of six, born to the first union remains—Mrs. Victor Smith. The estate left by Mr. Clarke is a large one consisting of real estate cash and banking stock. In 1892 he gave a be­quest of $20,000 in real estate to Han­over College. This includes the Clarke House (Clarendon Hotel) and the block just opposite on the south side of Jefferson street.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock in the Pres­byterian church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. L. P. Marshall, assisted by Dr. Moore, of Hanover College. The remains were sent to Vernon, Monday for burial in the old family grave yard.

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The Franklin Democrat, Friday, January 7, 1898,
Volume XXXVIII Number 26, page 1 column 3

LOCAL and PERSONAL.

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The last legacies of the late John Clarke have just been paid by Mrs. Victor Smith. One of $5,000 to Hanover College to complete the en­dowment of a chair to which he had given $20,000 during his life. A second of $5,000 was given to the Woman’s Board of Missions of the Northwest. These two legacies were not due until two years after his death.

Link to John Clarke’s grave

Submitted by Mark McCrady and Cathea Curry