Judge Ranslure W. Clarke died Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Milo M. Acker of Hornellsville, N.Y., with whom he had lived several years. He had been confined to his bed several months, but the end came suddenly and unexpectedly. Ranslure W. Clarke was born in Williamstown, Vt., in 1816. His parents were Elam and Cynthia Clarke. He prepared for college at Black River academy at Ludlow and at Randolph academy. He entered Dartmouth college in 1838 and graduated from that institution in 1842. Soon after his graduation he became principal of the Black River academy. He held that position for three years, and during that time he studied law in the office of P. T. Washburn, who was governor of Vermont in 1869. Mr. Clarke came to Brattleboro and completed his law studies in the office of J. Dorr Bradley, and was admitted to the bar at the September term of the Windham county court in 1846. He practiced his profession in Brattleboro until his removal to Hornellsville, N.Y., in 1893. Judge Clarke was for many years a prominent figure in the business and political life of Brattleboro and Windham county. He held the office of state's attorney from 1851 to 1854. He was a member of the constitutional convention in 1857 and was state senator in 1858 and 1859. He was one of the Vermont presidential electors in 1868. He was register of probate for the district of Marlboro in 1861-62, resigning that office in June, 1862, when he was appointed assistant quartermaster of United States volunteers. He remained in the military service of the United States until October, 1865. His official ranks were those of captain, major and colonel. He was stationed in Brattleboro during a large part of his service and while here bought 4000 horses for the government. He was transferred from Brattleboro to Beaufort, S.C., and later to North Carolina. He received the appointment of postmaster in January, 1871. He held that office eight years and was succeeded by his assistant, the late Charles F. Mansur. For more than 25 years he held the office of United States commissioner and master in chancery. He was prominently indentured with the Brattleboro savings bank, and its president several years. He was elected one of the assistant judges of the Windham county court in 1882, and was reelected for five successive terms, holding the position ten years. Judge Clarke was at the time a law partner of Col. K. Haskins. Judge Clarke was twice married. His first wife was Lucy C., daughter of Judge John Wilder of Weston. She died in 1864 and four years later he married Susan O. Wilder, another daughter of Judge Wilder. Judge Clarke is survived by two children. Mrs. Mary Clarke Acker is a daughter by his first marriage. Mrs. Acker is a graduate of Vassar college and was a teacher in New Jersey previous to her marriage to Milo M. Acker of Hornellsville, who was formerly the Republican leader in the New York assembly. A son by the second wife, Francis E. Clarke, is in the employ of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad at Wichita, Kansas. The body was brought to Brattleboro Wednesday, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Acker and Miss Oella Clarke of Bridgeport, a niece who lived in the family of Judge Clarke many years. Members of the legal fraternity, men connected with the Brattleboro savings bank and old friends met the body at the railroad station. Rev. J. H. Babbitt conducted brief services at the grave in the Prospect Hill cemetery. N. I. Hawley, Charles W. Dunham, Alonzo Starkey, L. F. Adams, F. K. Barrows and J. C. DeWitt acted as bearers. Judge Clarke possessed a striking personal presence and bearing. He had the courtly manner of the old school, and was rarely gracious, spirited and entertaining in social intercourse. His peculiar gesture, in the midst of some sally of wit or pointed anecdote, as he pressed his hands to his generous crown of good gray hair, will never be forgotten by those who knew him well.
Vermont Phoenix, 20 Jan 1899