02 03 John Brown Kin: Lucy Brown Clark - Eulogy 1934 04 05 15 16 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 31 32 33

Lucy Brown Clark - Eulogy 1934

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While transcribing the many, many documents related to the Annual Brown Family Reunions, that took place in Hudson Ohio from 1926 until 1964, I have found an incredible amount of information about the family members. The "stuffy" stuff -- date of birth, date of death, lineage to John Brown, etc. -- were all recorded by Dr Clarence S Gee in his genealogy of the Brown Family, (which I am continuing to add to daily), but these letters and notes contain what I consider jewels and riches. There are letters from cousin to cousin discussing births, deaths, trials and tribulations, as well as other tidbits.  I am in heaven!

I recently transcribed a eulogy that Dr Clarence S. Gee wrote, and I assume gave at the Brown Family reunion in July 1934, commemorating Lucy Emeline Brown Clark.  Lucy was born on 13 AUG 1850, in Hudson, Summit, Ohio to Jeremiah Root Brown and Abi Cornelia Hinsdale. Jeremiah was the half brother of John Brown, who built the lovely house that still stands in Hudson, Ohio. Mrs. Clark lived a long and full life, and knew her uncle, John Brown. She attended the Brown Family Reunions from 1926-1933, and was loved by all. She passed away on 26 FEB 1934 at her son's home in Kent, Portage, Ohio. I wish I could have known her, I think she must have been a great lady, but fun too!
Lucy Clark at 1928 Reunion


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Eulogy for Mrs. Lucy Brown Clark
Brown Family Reunion Papers
Document 1934 A
Hudson Historical Society and Library
Transcribed by Alice Keesey Mecoy Dec 2010



Mrs. Lucy Brown Clark


The sun of her life has set. It has sunk where islands of refreshment lie, but has left behind the smile of its departure. Such is our goodly heritage of this noble life.

To have met her was a privilege, to have known her well was indeed a benediction. My first acquaintance was through my interest in her historic uncle John Brown. However, I was at once influenced by her own personality, so cultured and refined, and have felt my life more blessed by this friendship that by a mere research pursuit.

Physical handicaps of later years did not stifle her spirit. Strength and dignity were her clothing and the law of kindness was on her tongue. Readily, can we rise up and call her blessed.

She has lived through the years of many of our nation's most important events. She was but a child when her uncle John Brown, and members of his immediate family, were so involved in the stirring events in Kansas. She remembers John Brown as he came to her father's house in Hudson as he was on his way to Kansas in the fifties. He took her on his lap and told her of the sufferings of his sons and their families and that he was going to Kansas to help them. The strange and mysterious boxes which so baffled the child contained the arms for the fray. She recalled, and kept through all the years clearly, the special kindness of John Brown to children and to all who were oppressed. Letters came often to the home of Jeremiah Brown, her father, not only from the Browns in Kansas but also from the Adairs who were early missionaries to that state. Mrs. Adair was Lucy's aunt. Thus as a child she came into close touch with significant historical events. Her father was named to settle the estate of her noted uncle after his death in 1859. Civil war followed, then the reconstruction. Other wars, and our modern age. Through it all she grew in knowledge and in grace, even though there were many struggles she became more than conqueror and learned to know "the further side of victory."

Mrs. Clark was an intelligent and interesting correspondent. Her letters were rich in spirit and content. Some years ago she took a trip to Florida. Although well along in years her mental grasp of scenes and people and events revealed the richness of her mind.

For many years following the Civil war there was much hard and harsh criticism of the deeds of John Brown. These left no trace of bitterness or called forth no critical response from this cultured soul. However, as the years passed and the motives and purposes of John Brown were better understood the Brown family began to gather itself together in their common bond. The Brown Family Reunion is now an established institution and regular meetings are held each year in Hudson. Perhaps no one took a deeper interest in the recovery and further development of this family spirit than did Mrs. Clark. Her radiant personality will be greatly missed at these reunions and things will never be quite the same again.

Mrs. Lucy Brown Clark was born in Hudson Ohio, August 13th 1850. She was the second daughter of Abi Hinsdale and Jeremiah Brown, both families, the Hinsdales and the Browns, being among those pioneers who migrated to the western reserve from New England in the early decades of the 19th century. Her grandfather, Owen Brown who was the father of John Brown of Harpers Ferry, moved to Hudson Ohio in 1803, and her grandfather Herman Hinsdale reached Ohio in 1816.

Lucy Browns childhood years, from the age of three on, were spent in a home that her father Jeremiah built on the Streetsboro Road east from the center of Hudson about one mile. This home was noted for it hospitality, and Mrs. Clark has often told of the many gatherings of friends and relatives during those years.

Lucy Browns education was completed in Hudson Seminary conducted by Miss Emily Metcalf, and during this period she had work with, and under many of the teachers who were connected with Western Reserve College which was at that time located at Hudson. After her own schooling was finished she chose the calling that was nearest her heart, and  for more than ten years taught school, first at Stow Corners, then at Kent, and finally in the institution for the deaf at Columbus Ohio.

On August 18th, 1880 Lucy Brown became Mrs. Samuel L Clark, who was also of an established Hudson family, and who was at the time express agent for the C A & C. RY in the home town. It was in Hudson that the first and second sons were born, in the year 1881 and 1886. the first son passing away in 1901. The third son, Howard, was born in Killbuck, Ohio, in 1887. Thereafter, for reasons of health, the Clark family moved to a farm at Madison, Lake co., Ohio. And for the following twelve years Mrs. Lucy Brown Clark experienced the life a farmers wife, and it was there in 1894 that the last of her children, a daughter, was born.

In 1901 the family moved to Berea, Ky., where Mr. Clark was given an appointment as manager of the brick yard that was being operated by Berea College. In 1908 Mr. Clark was transferred to the management of the farm where he became rather widely noted for his new and progressive agricultural enterprises. After 1912 the scene changed again, this time to Delaware Ohio, where Mr. Clark was given the responsibility of managing a farm owned by the Ohio Wesleyan University. The husband and father died in 1915 at Delaware. Mrs. Clark made a home for her daughter in Delaware until her graduation from the university.

From that time she had lived in the home of her sons, Francis at Berea, Ky., and Howard in Kent, O.

I wish it were possible for me to look once more upon her face, beautiful in itself, yet more beautiful because it reflected a radiant life within. Of course she was a devoted Christian, or such things could not have been.

I began with the thought which came to me from William Cullen Bryant, and may I use another one of his when I say that she has passed serenely to rest while the soft memory of her virtues lingers yet like twilight when the bright sun is set.

Delaware, Ohio
February 26th – 1934                           Clarence S. Gee




Alice Keesey Mecoy outside "The John Brown Tannery" house in Hudson Ohio. This house was built by Jeremiah Brown, half brother of John Brown. Lucy Brown Clark grew up in this house.

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