M.W. David Clark 1853-1854

David Clark

Again the Grand Mastership returns to Hartford. Born on a farm in the little town of Hampton October 12, 1806, David Clark dreamed, during his labors in the field, of wealth, influence and position and lived to see these dreams fulfilled. At an early age he came to Hartford and engaged in a mercantile career. His first 'venture with a partner in the wholesale grocery business ended in bankruptcy. A few years later he started for himself and was very successful. It was then that he paid the former debts which were collectible only in the court of conscience.

It was his plan to give away every year all income beyond the mere expenses of his quiet and moderate home. During the Civil War he spent large sums in aid of the soldiers and their families and later in educating the freedmen. At the time of his death he was paying for the education in college of thirteen young men.

Raised in St. John's Lodge, No.4, November 3, 1841, he became its Master in 1848. Much of his time must have been given to Masonry for he was at the head of Pythagoras Chapter, No. 17, R. A. M., and Wolcott Council, No.1, R. & S. M., in 1856 and Washington Commandery, No.1, K. T., from 1853 to 1855. In the Grand Bodies he served two years as Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter from May 13, 1857, Grand Master of the Grand Council one year from May 13, 1847, and Grand Commander of Grand Commanndery one year from May 15, 1863.

His first office in the Grand Lodge was on May 9, 1849, when he was elected Grand Junior Warden. After filling the intermediate offices he served as Grand Master from May 11, 1853, to May 9, 1855. Perhaps the outstanding achievement of his term of office was the completion and dedication of the Memorial to General David Wooster in the Wooster Cemetery in Danbury April 27, 1854.

When his death occurred October 8, 1889, it was said of him:

“His aim was to walk uprightly before God and man and to be charitable toward all mankind.” A friend wrote of him: “In his business, in his recreation, in his home and among men he put much into his life and drew much out of it-drew not only for himself but for others as well.”