Page:Sketches of representative women of New England.djvu/622

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REPRESENTATIVE WOMEN OF NEW ENGLAND
471

thousand miles, and visited seventy-two corps, besides attending many camp-fires, receptions, anniversaries, and fairs. Three corps were instituted during her administration, making a total of one hundred and fifty-nine corps under her charge. She aimed to encourage all in the noble work in which they were engaged. Mrs. Clark issued nine general orders and two circular letters, hundreds of copies of which were mailed to different sections of the country. Referring to her personal work, she said: "I have written more than twelve hundred letters, answered innumerable questions, and endeavored to instruct and encourage all who asked for advice. The many personal letters I have received, expressing appreciation for help given, will be to me a storehouse of pleasure in the coming years, when I shall have leisure to again read these words of commendation."

Mrs. Clark visited the Soldiers' Home in Chelsea several times during her administration, and issued an appeal to corps in general orders to furnish some of the new rooms in the annex. She also expressed an interest in having the Department of Massachusetts creditably represented in the National Woman's Relief Corps exhibit at the World's Fair, and a liberal contribution was sent by her order for this object. In reporting the results of the year's work, she referred to the thousands of callers she had met at headquarters and to the mutual benefits thereby received. Upon retiring from the office of Department President, Mrs. Clark was appointed Councillor on the staff of her successor. She also aided Corps No. 18 of Northampton by accepting an appointment as secretary, and has continued her active interest in the corps. Mrs. Clark served as National Chaplain pro tern, at the National Convention at Boston in 1890, at Indianapolis in 1893, and was unanimously elected to this office at the National Convention at Cleveland, Ohio, September, 1901.

Her kindly interest in the welfare of others and her cheerful manner have made her popular with all classes of people.

Her husband, Edwin C. Clark, was identified with the business interests of Northampton. In April, 1861, he assisted in recruiting Company A of the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts Regiment, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant. He served at Roanoke Islam!, Newbern, and in other campaigns under General Burnside. Lieutenant Clark resigned his commission and returned home in 1862, when he re-enlisted in the Fifty-second Massachusetts Regiment, receiving a commission as First Lieutenant. He subsequently accepted a commission as Quartermaster. This regiment took part in General Banks's expedition, and performed active duty at Baton Rouge, Barry's Landing, and Port Hudson. Captain Clark, who had received this title by brevet, remained with his regiment until it was mustered out of service in the fall of 1863.

He was highly esteemed by the citizens of Northampton, and could have been the first Mayor of the city, had he cared for the office. He was treasurer and superintendent of the Northampton Street Railway Company for several years, and held other positions of trust. His death occurred May 10, 1898.

Captain and Mrs. Clark had two sons and two daughters. Ida B., the eldest child, born July 18, 1852, married Joseph Carhart, president of the State Normal School of North Dakota. They have three sons and seven daughters. Edwin Cook Clark, born January 3, 1856, is suijerintendent of the extensive electric railroatl of Northampton, and receives the largest salary of any superintendent in Massachusetts hokling a similar position. He married Mona Fogel, of Northampton. They have three children. Mary A. Clark, born October 28, 1860, married Emlyn V. Mitchell, of Hartford, Conn. They have four children. William A., born March 2, 1868, a prominent business man of Northampton, in 1897 married Alice R., daughter of the Hon. George W. Johnson, of Brookfield, Mass.


HULDA BARKER LOUD was born September 13, 1844, in East Abington, now Rockland, Mass., being a daughter of Reuben and Betsey (Whiting) Loud. She attended the public schools of that town, and was graduated from the high school in 1862. Becoming a teacher