Mount Union College - Unonian Yearbook (Alliance, OH)

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GEORGE YVASHINGTON CLARKE. Cfarile, Qt. WU Pfeszriefzi and Prof of Nrzlzcral Scimre, Reszlgned. Dr. George Washington Clarke was born luly 24, 1824, on a farm near Mogador, Summit County. When he was eight years of age his parents moved from this farm to another two miles distant where they lived two years. They then moved to a farm near Streetsboro, Portage County, Ohio. After living there four or five years, they moved to another farm near Earlville, a small place midway between Ravenna and Hudson. There- was much work to be done on these farms, for there was but little cleared land upon them, and George did' his part. No doubt his struggles with the roots which made the cultivation of the soil so difficult, did much towards giving him the determination and persistency which enabled him to master the roots of the dead languages which he took up in after years, and which he can read even today almost with as much ease and fluency as English. It is true that his pioneer life did much towards developing in him that strength of character, that has ever been so characteristic of him. Having a strong physical constitution, and having begun the development of his spiritual nature, he was ambi- tious to become a well-rounded man and make his life a bless- ing to the world in which he lived. At the age of twenty-two he left the farm and entered Allegheny College at Meadville, Pa., where he graduated in 1851. His abilities were soon recognized, for at the be- ginning of his second year in the college he was made tutor in the Preparatory Department. He had no friends to give him tinancial support. He says himself, I did not receive a copper from anyone aside from those I earned by hard labor. When out of college he taught, and by the practice of the strictest economy and frugality he was enabled to educate himself. ln those days, says the genial doctor, it cost Eve cents to get a letter out of the office, and many a time l did not have the means to lift my letters.

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itifiute to Qgeb. 'ciamerfane gating Miarsfi, 22. Q.,::Gonttnue2u, limited. He came to the institution at a time when so many things were needed that it was an impossibility to find one per- son who could furnish them. For ten years he has been with us as president, as financial agent, and as teacher, and I question if in all our land an educator can be found who has worked more heroically and contended with difficulties so valiantly, The re- sult of these years speak more eloquently than pen or pencil. The college curriculum has been strengthened, a college paperes- tablished, the Morgan Gymnasium has been built, the new church, of whose Building Committee he was chairman, has been com- pleted, the endowment greatly increased, and the Alumni chair established. He has a number of popular lectures which have been delivered at High School and Academy commencements, Teacher's Institutes, and on general occasions. He has put the best of his life into these ten years, and let him only criticise, who could do the better. But great as Dr. Marsh may be as preacher and president, in the class-room he was a true teacher. He always selected the latest and best text book and expected his pupils to know what the author stated. He used the lecture method of recitation, but at times he would give a familiar talk on the subject, going deeper than the author ever had gone, and it seemed, taking his pupil into his friendship and talking to him out of the abundance of his own learning and knowledge. He was keenly analytical, sifting everything to the bottom, yet kind and courteous in his classes, believing it was a kindness to teach the student to depend upon his own efforts. He never lost his identity. He was always President Marsh. He had a natural dignity that never deserted him, that caused us to honor the man and respect his position, and, as a man, he ex- erted a great influence over the students. He had a way of greet- ing the students that made them feel that he was their friend and interested in their welfare, and he leaves the institution with the best wishes, I believe, of every student that has attended during his administration, From 1892 to '93 he was vice president of the Methodist Col- lege Association, and by appointment of the bishops, represented the fifth general district in the University Senate. In I8Q3, Alle- gheny College worthily bestowed upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. His work for us is finished. Its worth can not be measured in time, and not until in eternity, when impressions and inspirations received shall be weighed, can we know its true value. To whatever place he now may be called to go, we say Godspeed. And as we go divided pathways now, Perhaps no more to meet until the end g We weave this chaplet for thy worthy brow, That other hearts may know, and call thee Friend. Our much-loved Friend, nine years have sped And left their snows upon thy head, Thy work has been of arduous kind, Exhausting strength of hand and mind. No one e'er knows the burdens borne, Nor feels the prick of the censor's thorn, As known and felt by those who bear, Besides their own, another's share. . Thou hast for us our burdens borne, From off our path, the briers torn, In thy true life, thy Christ hast shown And led us to make Him our own. As when at eve, and end of toil, The sun plants in blue heaven's soil A thousand flowery starlets bright To shine when he is far from sight, So thou hast sown in memory's field A thousand seeds of truth to yield, When thou art gone, a harvest rare, And shed their blessings everywhere.

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' 6. tm Q, Mtn ms, Q,-Clloiititiiicb. Immediately after his graduation he went to Conneatville, Pa., and took charge ofian academy, where he taught three years. At the close of the third year he resigned, came without any vacation to Mt. Union and entered upon his duties here. For forty years Dr. Clarke has been instructor in our college. During all these years he has not missed a term. There is scarcely a study in the curriculum today that Dr. Clarke has not taught. He gave instruction in Latin and Greek almost forty years, having most of the time as high as eight classes a day. He has given instruction in mathematics from the lowest to the highest. For seventeen years he taught shorthand, fora number of years he was instructor in vocal music, twenty-five years were given to instruction in elocutiong for two years he was instructor in mental and moral philos- ophy, for the past few years he has been instructor of the natural sciences. He served as treasurer of the college for twenty years, secretary of the Board of Trustees since 1882, vice president since 1884, and acting president from '87 to '88. He received all his degrees from his Alma Mater. ln ISSI he received A. B., in 1854, A. M., and in 1881, Ph. D. No rnan who has ever been connected with Mt. Union College has done more than he for the institution. He was practically the founder of the museum which is not excelled by any college museum of the state. He spent over thirty years in collecting specimens. Almost every Saturday was spent in the fields and woods in search of specimens. l-le furnished all the materials needed to mount them, and donated them when neatly mounted, to the college. At one time by actual appraisement made by experts from a distance he donated specimens valued at something over SIIO0.00, and at another a quantity valued at 35oo.oo. Some years ago when there was a heavy debt on the col- lege, Dr. Clarke gave 35600.00 towards cancelling the debt. l-le was one of four men who gave 5500.00 apiece in cash for the telescope in the observatory. At the time of the erection of the present buildings instead of making a subscription to the building fund, he bore one-fourth ofthe exper15C in putting in the furniture and apparatus for the building and the bell. NfVhen it was discovered that the college could not be endowed by scholarships, he paid back in tuition in old scholarships be- tween 57000.00 and 58ooo.oo. Though receiving a very meager salary, or as he expressed it, having to work for nothing and pay board, he did not complain and whenever an appeal was made for the Hnancial support of a worthy cause, he found some way to contribute to it. One year he gave his entire salary of 235400.00 toward the erection of a house of worship. When the present beautiful church edihce was erected he contributed S5400.00. Rather than spend his surplus in travel, he gave it back to the college and church. His life has been a continual struggle with diffi- culties, but it has been serene and sweet. He is kind to all, particularly to the unfortunate and needy. Care and worry has not disturbed his soul or robbed him of vitality. None is more cheerful or hopeful. The sunshine of his soul has illuminated the pathway of hundreds. His sunny disposition and loving heart have inspired many to nobler efforts and purer lives. My life, says he, has been a happy and con- tented one. l have always enjoyed my work. I have felt that I was in a work in which l was doing good, and that was suffi- cient reward for all the struggles, sacrifices and labors of my life. ln all times however trying he has sought to do the right and 'the best, and having done so cheerfulness and peace were manifest in his life. He declares that he has always be- lieved thatthe Hcherishing of cheerfulness is one of the car- dinal articles of religion, and that God wants everyone to be cheerful and happy. The simplicity of his life and faith, his loyalty to truth and the church has been and ever will be a beautiful example to all. The tenderness of his heart has touched and warmed manycold hearts. This year he retires from his duties as instructor in the college. We are sorry to miss him, but students and friends all join in wishing him a God speed, and that the rest of his life may yield much fruit and be Hlled with the joy of the Master,