My Genealogy Hound

WALTER A. CLARK, M.D., a successful physician of Prescott, was born in Petersham, Mass., May 8, 1857, son of Almond and Mary (Pattee) Clark. Dr. Clark’s great-grandparents were Edward and Anna (Jenerson) Clark, the former of whom was born June 25, 1738, and the latter July 4, 1739. His grandfather, Samuel Clark, was born March 30, 1765; and his grandmother, whose maiden name was Mehitable Ingersoll, was born March 20, 1769.

Almond Clark, Dr. Clark’s father, was born in Hardwick, Mass., February 10, 1809. He settled in Petersham, where he passed the greater part of his life. He engaged in farming, an occupation which he followed for a time; and later he entered into trade. He finally returned to agriculture, and cultivated a farm with success for the remainder of his life. He was an industrious man, possessed a high order of intelligence, and was especially well informed upon legal subjects. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and he entertained broad and liberal views upon religious matters. Mr. Clark, Sr., died at the old homestead in Petersham in July, 1869. His wife became the mother of six children, as follows: John W., who enlisted in the Twenty-first Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, and was killed in the Civil War at the age of twenty-one; Asa Wilbur, who died at the age of thirty; Philena, who is the wife of William Tolman, and resides in Barre, Mass; Harriet, wife of Horace Hager, of Athol, Mass.; Lura, who married Charles H. Burroughs, and resides in Chicago, Ill.; and Walter A., the subject of this sketch, who is the youngest. The mother, who still survives, is residing with her daughter in Barre.

Walter A. Clark commenced his education in the district schools of his native town, and completed his studies at the grammar schools in Barre. He went to Chicago in 1874, arriving in that city on October 14 of that year, and entered the shops of the F. C. Wells Engine Works for the purpose of learning the trade of a machinist and engineer. He served an apprenticeship of three years, during which time he acted as an engineer in the machinery department of the Chicago International Exhibition in 1875. On August 16, 1877, having acquired his trade, he was united in marriage to Verena Gloor, a native of Switzerland, and returned with her to Massachusetts, making his home in Athol until 1880. He again went to Chicago; and on December 31, 1880, he secured a position in Dell’s Pharmacy as prescription clerk. On March 12, 1882, he started East on a visit, remaining until the autumn of that year. Upon his return to the Western metropolis he entered the Rush Medical College (September 4, 1882), pursued a thorough course of medical study, and graduated February 17, 1885. On April 1 of that year he located on Madison Street, Chicago, where he conducted a good practice for two years, at the expiration of which time he returned to his native State. Settling in Prescott, February 27, 1888, he has since practised his profession in this and adjoining towns.

As a medical practitioner he is energetic and skilful, and is a pleasant gentleman to meet. He possesses a disposition and character well calculated to inspire confidence. As an illustration of the esteem he has won it may be mentioned that, while yet a student, he was summoned East for the purpose of examining a patient and rendering an opinion in regard to the case. Since coming to Prescott he has purchased the property formerly known as the Atkinson Tavern, where he now resides. It is an old landmark in the town, and was built by John Atkinson in 1820. It was for many years used as a public house, and is still in a good state of preservation, its huge chimneys and broad, open fireplaces giving the interior a cheerful and comfortable appearance. Dr. Clark is liberal in his religious and political views and a lover of the fine arts.