My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM S. CLARK, one of the foremost citizens of Granby, active in his profession, in business, and in social circles, is a worthy representative of the native residents of the town. Less than thirty years of age, the date of his birth being April 25, 1867, he is one of the younger generation of men in public office. His father, the late Spencer Clark, was for many years one of the leading farmers of this locality, serving as Selectman in 1879 and 1880, besides holding other offices. He married Arvilla Davis, a native of Royalston, Worcester County, Mass. Mrs. Davis is now living with her son, of whom we write, her husband having passed from earth in 1883.

William S. Clark was the only child born to his parents. He acquired his elementary education in the public schools, this being supplemented by a two years’ attendance at Williston Seminary, from which he received his diploma in 1884. Subsequently entering Yale College, he was graduated from there in 1888, and the following year was engaged in agriculture. In 1889 Mr. Clark began reading law in the office of William H. Brooks, of Holyoke, remaining with him a few months after his admission to the bar, which was on December 21, 1891. Returning then to Granby, he has since been conspicuously identified with the best interests of the town, and, while attending to his professional duties, has also carried on farming to a considerable extent. He is the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred acres that he rents, in addition to the one on which he lives. In him the Democratic party finds one of its strongest supporters, and his towns-people one of their most valued officials. Mr. Clark has been a member of the School Committee here ever since his first election, in 1889; and since 1893 he has been a member of the Board of Selectmen.

Mr. Clark has always been an active worker in Masonic circles, and has done much to promote the prosperity of the order in this State. He belongs to Vernon Lodge of Belchertown, and was Master of it in 1891, 1892, and 1893. He has also a membership in the Mount Holyoke Council, Royal and Select Masons, in the Springfield Commandery, Knights Templars, and in 1895 was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the Seventeenth Masonic District. He joined the Evening Star Lodge of Perfection in Springfield, and is likewise a member of the Massasoit Council, Princes of Jerusalem, of Springfield, of the Rose Croix Chapter, and of the Massachusetts Consistory, of Boston, having taken the thirty-second degree in that Lodge. Mr. Clark is also connected with the Granby Grange, which he joined in 1889, and was Master of it in 1893 and 1894. He takes a deep interest in the advancement of the cause of temperance, and is an active member of the Lodge of Good Templars. On the 1st of October, 1891, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Maude I. Davis, who was born September 27, 1871, in Soniers, Conn., daughter of O. L. and Ellen S. (Washburn) Davis. Two children have been born of this union: Ruth, on May 29, 1893; and Donald Spencer, July 22, 1895.

The Granby Co-operative Creamery Association was chartered in January, 1889, and commenced the business of manufacturing butter on the 1st of March. William S. Clark was elected its first clerk and treasurer; and its first Board of Directors consisted of Clinton W. Stebbins, Monroe Keith, C. W. Ferry, S. A. Taylor, and J. H. Barton. It was due chiefly to the enterprise and energy of these six men that the corporation was formed. They believed that it would be not only a boon to the tired housewife, but a financial success also; and the history of the association shows that they were right. Many of the farmers were slow to appreciate its advantages; but they have gradually joined the association until, from a beginning with only fifteen patrons, the factory now receives cream from fifty-eight farmers.

During the six years ending March 1, 1895, the association has received three million, three hundred and eighty-five thousand, nine hundred and three spaces of cream, for which it has paid to its patrons one hundred and twenty thousand, seven hundred and sixty-seven dollars and seventy-six cents. From this cream there have been sold directly five hundred and fifty-six gallons of cream; and there have been made and sold five hundred and twenty-nine thousand, nine hundred and one pounds of butter and two hundred and twenty thousand, two hundred and sixty-eight gallons of buttermilk, for which the association has received one hundred and forty-five thousand, six hundred and three dollars and seventy-two cents. The expenses of the association for the six years, including dividends on its capital stock of thirty-five hundred dollars and a reserve for depreciation, have been twenty-four thousand, eight hundred and thirty-five dollars and ninety-six cents. Mr. Clark is still the clerk and treasurer, and the present Board of Directors consists of George L. Witt, president; Monroe Keith, H. S. Taylor, Charles E. Preston, of South Hadley, and A. L. Bennett, of Ludlow.

The accompanying portrait* of Mr. Clark adds much to the interest of this brief sketch of his useful and varied activities to the present date.

*Editor's note: Portrait was included in the original printed book.