Clarke, Loammi John (1860-1908)
Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by S Dobson
The Cardigan Street Church, Luton I., has sustained a great loss in the death of Brother John Clarke. He had been a member of the church for some years and had held the office of organist. The same office he had filled at High Town, also at Leagrave, and at each place rendered valuable service. After joining the church at Cardigan Street he rendered good service in the class meeting by conducting the praise part of the service; such help was highly appreciated by the class. Mr. Clarke was laid up for about three months, for ten weeks he kept his bed, but from the first the doctors held out no hope. He bore his affliction with perfect resignation to the Divine will. All was done that medical skill and family attention could do, but all failed, and on January 18th, the spirit of our dear brother went to be with Jesus, which is far better.
The writer frequently visited him during his illness, and was delighted to mark the development of his spiritual life. He grew in grace. He looked not to the things which are seen, but to the things which are unseen and eternal. The funeral took place on January 22nd, 1908, in the General Cemetery, Luton. A short service was held in the Cemetery Chapel, conducted by the Revs. S. Dobson and J. Anneson.
Mr. Clarke was well known and greatly respected by the church, the circuit, and the manufacturers of the town. He leaves a widow and family who greatly mourn their loss.
Family
John was born in the spring of 1860 at Leagrave, Luton, Bedfordshire, to parents John, a hurdle maker (1861), and Jane.
Census returns identify the following occupations for John.
- 1881 clerk in coal business
- 1891 farmer
- 1901 straw hat manufacturer
He married Dorcas Tuffnell (1859-1940) on 5 May 1878 at Luton, Bedfordshire. Census returns identify six children.
- Florence Mina (1879-1964) – a school teacher (1911); married Henry Samuel Pride, a headteacher (1930), in 1911
- Edith Maria (1882-1980) – a straw hat finisher (1911)
- Archibald Haydn (1885-1982) – a straw hat warehouseman (1911)
- Alice Kate (1887-1981) – a straw hat finisher (1911); married Ralph Hawkins in 1912
- Rowland Hugh (1889-1997) – a straw hat manufacturer (1911)
- Doris Tuffnell (1893-1940) – a milliner (1911); married Percy William Houghton in 1930
John died on 18 January 1908 at Luton, Bedfordshire.
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1908/410
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
Note: Many records spell the surname Clark.
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