Clarke, Edward Odling (1841-1907)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1907

Transcription of Obituary in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by George B. Gleghorn

Born at Washingboro’, a village near Lincoln, Nov. 24th, 1841, Mr. E.O. Clarke passed suddenly to the “home of the blest,” January 14th, 1907. Removing with his parents to Kirton near Boston he was apprenticed to a trade in the latter place, attended the Centenary Wesleyan chapel there, and in the morning of his days gave himself to the Saviour. At sixteen he began to preach and from that time has been ever ready to use his talents in the service of his Lord. Removing to Peterborough in 1875 circumstances caused him to join our Cobden Street Society in 1880, and for twenty-six years he has been a consistent member and an assiduous worker.

No more faithful or conscientious labourer has the Church possessed. He always seemed in touch with heavenly things. An acceptable local preacher and a useful official he rendered valuable service in connection with various social movements which made for the welfare of the community. As Secretary of an adult Temperance society he was exceedingly energetic and most assiduous and methodical. The greater part of the Saturday morning preceding his death was spent in making arrangements for the annual meeting at which he expressed the wish for the appointment of a younger man owing to advancing years. On Sunday, January 13th, he was early astir, attended the morning service, addressed the Bible Class in the afternoon, took his appointment in the evening at an adjacent church, and then completed arrangements for a public temperance meeting.

Early the following morning he was affected with heart trouble; he walked about the room a little at his wife’s suggestion and then lay down again. Soon the summons came and in a moment he had passed away. His was a sudden call, but it found him ready. A large assembly at the funeral and at the Memorial Service testified to the high estimation in which he was held. At the latter the Rev. J. Davidson officiated in the absence of the writer through illness. Rev. J. Davidson says:- “His Christian life was marked by quiet, steady consistency. He loved the House of God and the services of the sanctuary; prayer and class meetings were to him veritable means of grace.”

May the sorrowing widow, two sons and two daughters be greatly comforted by the Divine Spirit, and when the morning cometh may they with us greet him where partings are no more.

Family

Edward was born to parents William Clarke, a tailor, and Elizabeth Harriet Odling.

Edward followed the same profession as his father.

He married Elizabeth Croft (1843-1875) on 26 May 1870 at Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Census returns identify two children.

Mary Elizabeth (b1871)
Jane (b1873) – a dressmaker (1901)

Edward married Ann Maria Moody 91844-1927) in early 1878 at Peterborough, Northamptonshire. Census returns identify three children.

George Edward (b1879) – a tailor & draper (1901)
Ernest Adam (1880-1920) – a commercial traveller (1911)
Gertrude Rebecca (abt1885-1943) – a milliner (1901); married Harry Wright, a moulder, in 1911

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1907/743

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers