Valley Center Index May 27, 1910

Aged Pioneer Gone to Rest

Died at her home May 21, 1910 Mrs. Lucy Ann Clark aged 72 years 7 months and 24 days. She was born in Shelby Missouri September 30, 1837. In 1853 she moved to Quincy, Illinois and was married to James M. Clark. To this union 11 children were born, 8 in Illinois, and 3 in Kansas. Nine of which survive her and were with her when the end came, her husband having died in 1886. She united with the Church when 18 years of age and was baptized in the Mississippi River, and had lived the Christian life, and said she was ready to go, and wanted all to meet her in heaven. She also leaves 18 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, besides a host of friends to mourn her loss.

She was a woman of generous impulses and never forgot the hospitable ways of the pioneer. The stranger even though a beggar, never failed to find food or shelter if he sought it at her hands, and she was at home at the bedside of the sick and delighted in all kinds of neighborly offices. She had borne adversity bravely and enjoyed prosperity quietly. She had fitted the various relations of life, as a mother, sister, friend, and filled them well. Who can do more.

But she is gone. Another name is stricken from the ever lessening roll of our old settlers, and a lonely home is left to attest how sadly they will miss her. It must be so; these tender human ties cannot be severed without a pang. Yet in such a death there is really no cause for grief. Her life work was done, and well done. She had passed her golden wedding day and wearied with life's duties and cares, weary of suffering and waiting, she lay down to rest.

"Tired! ah yes! so tired dear,
I shall soundly sleep to night,
With never a dream and never a fear
To wake to the morning fight."

She was a woman who united sound sense with strong convictions and a candid, outspoken temper, eminently fitted to mold the rule elements of pioneer society into form and consistency, and aid in raising a high standard of citizenship in our young state. How much this community owes her and such as she, it is impossible to estimate, though it would be a grateful task to trace her influence through some of the more direct channels, to hold her up in these degenerate days, in her various characters of wife and mother, of neighbor and friend, to speak to the sons and daughters she has reared to perpetuate her name and emulate her virtues. But it comes not within scope of this brief article to do so. Suffice it to say, she lived nobly and died peacefully at the advanced age of 72 years. This stern reaper found her, " as a shock of corn, fully ripe for harvest."

Not for her be our tears! Rather let us crown her grave with garlands; few of us will live as long or as well, and fewer yet will the angel of death greet with such a loving touch.

Newspaper abstract furnished by Julian Wall.