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Acton Memorial Library |
Civil War Records of Martin L. Clark
Obituaries (2) for Martin L. Clark
Concord Enterprise, June 29,1899
DEATH OF M.L. CLARK
Martin Lyman Clark, of Maynard, died suddenly at his post of duty about 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 23, aged 68 years, He was born at Pittsfield, Berkshire county and came to Maynard to live nearly 19 years ago. He was employed in the wood shp at the mill until 7 years ago when he entered the employ of the Fitchburg railroad as flagman, first at the crossing near the depot and later at the Summer street crossing.
On the last day of his life he flagged for the extra train that passed about 12:10 p.m. and then sat down in his chair in the flagman’s cabin beside the track. At 12:15 Arthur Doe was talking with him. About 15 minutes later John Chapin came along and found Mr. Martin sitting there lifeless with a fan in his hand. The 12:30 train was then due and Mr. Chapin took the flag and warned passers by of the approaching train. The deceased was then taken to his home near the railroad blocks.
The cause of death was heart failure, and it is supposed to have been due to a fall which Mr. Clark received some two years ago. He was walking the railroad track over the driveway from Main st. to the locality of his home when he fell off the bridge and cracked his chest bone.
He was a veteran of the civil war and belonged to the 34th heavy artillery. He was subsequently detailed as a nurse and had his back crushed by the fall of a house which was being moved. After this accident he received his discharge. He enlisted for three years and served 18 months. He was married but once, his wife passing away nearly two years ago.
He leaves three sons and one daughter – Lorenzo W., Henry W., Martin E. and Lillian M. Clark. Another son, William, died in 1892. Henry is in Lynn and Elmer in Fitchburg, while Lorenzo and Lillian reside at home.
The deceased also leaves four brothers and one sister – Waldo, John,Henry, James and Mrs. Achsah Strong. Of these, Waldo lives in Oswego, N.Y.; Mrs. Strong in Pittsfield, Mass., and the other three all reside in Springfield, Mass.
The deceased was a man of spotless character and a faithful member of the Methodist church. Everybody in Maynard knew him and everybody liked him. So far as known he had not a single enemy in the world. He was a cheerful, even-tempered man and was never known to fly into a passion, nor can anyone remember hearing him use anything in the nature of an oath. He would far rather suffer wrong than do wrong, and would not not demean himself to put a straw in the way of any one of his fellow beings. The funeral was held at the home on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock, Rev. Edward Higgins officiating. The funeral was in charge of Isaac Davis post, G.A.R., of West Acton. Burial was in Glenwood cemetery.
Maynard News, June 30, 1899
Martin L. Clark, flagman on the Fitchburg railroad, was found dead in his flag house, at the Summer street crossing, at noon, on Friday.
He was seen flagging the 11.42 train and again at 12, being apparently in his usual health and spirits. HE was last seen alive about 12.10. W.B. Case, who was passing about that time, states that he noticed Mr. Clark down the track some distance from his station. A train suddenly whistled for the Summer street crossing. Mr. Clark stopped, listened and then ran excitedly in the direction of his post of duty, reaching he crossing just in time to flag the train, which proved to be a construction train. Fifteen minutes later, Thomas Archer and John Chapin, who were returning to work in the mills, found him dead in the flag house.
Undertaker Fowler and Dr. Rich were immediately summoned. All efforts to restore animation proved fruitless. The body was removed to the family residence on Railroad street. Deceased has been ailing for some time with heart trouble. It is believed that in running to flag the special train, he over-exerted himself, the strain affecting his heart. He looked after the cars on the Warren Haynes company’s siding, taking the numbers of freight cars, when empty and reporting them later to the station agent. It is supposed that he was attending to this duty immediately preceding the approach of the construction train.
Deceased was born March 24, 1831, at Hinsdale, Berkshire county, this state. He was a veteran of the civil war, having enlisted in 1863 in the 3f Massachusetts heavy artillery in which he served 18 months, a part of which time he was attached to the hospital corps. While in service he received severe injuries, on account of which he was honorable discharged. He has been a resident of Maynard for 18 years, coming here from Claybille, N.Y. His wife died of heart disease, October 4th, 1897. Three sons and one daughter survive him. Lorenzo and Lilla live at home. Henry in Lynn and Elmer at Fitchburg. Four brothers and one sister re living.
During his residence here, he won many true friends by his genial, courteous, quiet and unassuming manners, and was highly esteemed by all who were favored with his acquaintance.
The funeral services occurred at the family residence on Sunday, Rev. F.E. Higgins, pastor of the M.F. church, officiating. Many beautiful tributes were contributed.
Isaac Davis Post G.A.R., of which the deceased was a member, turned out in a body. Bearers were present from Hartford, Springfield, and Pittsfield. Interment at Glenwood.