Locena R. Clark Hill (1847-1929)
(Mrs. Richard M. Hill)

Clark Reunion

The fifth Clark reunion was held at the home of Mrs. Locena Hill Sunday, August 14, 1921. There were 51 members present, also one visitor, Lester Kenyon. Mr. Kenyon was a playmate of the Clark boys and girls and a frequent visitor at the Clark homestead in the early days.

A basket dinner was served and a short business session was held. Mrs. Locena Hill was elected President; Vice-president, Mrs. Ursula Pulver; Secretary, Mrs. Beatrice Brownell; Treasurer, Miss Jessie Pulver.

The day was spent in visiting. One birth and two marriages were reported since our last reunion. Ice-cream and cake was served about 4:30 p.m. after which we adjourned to meet with Mr. and Mrs. Carl Brownell the 2nd Sunday in August 1922.

Beatrice Brownell, Secy.
Locena Hill, President

Mrs. Locena R. Hill was born on October 10, 1847, on a farm northeast of Lowell, Ind. She was the youngest of nine children of the late Joseph O.* and Harriet Story Clark, who were among the earliest settlers of this region, having moved to Indiana from New York and settled in the southeastern part of Lake county very early in the nineteenth century.

Mrs. Hill's early girlhood was spent on the farm, where at the age of twenty-two she was united in marriage to Richard M. Hill. They established their home in the same neighborhood, and four children were born to make their home happy.

There was no break in the family until August 31, 1897, when the companion and father passed away. His demise occurred about three years after the family had moved to Lowell.

Mrs. Hill was for more than 53 years a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church in whose program she took an active part. She was also a charter member of the Old Settlers Association of Lake county and of the Lowell Chapter Order of Eastern Star, in which organization she served as the first Worthy Matron.

Mrs. Hill found great pleasure in meeting the other members of the Clark family at their annual reunions. She was the only surviving member of the original Joseph Clark family.

Mrs. Hill passed away Tuesday, June 11, 1929, in her 82nd year at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Arthur M. Fisher, in Gary, Ind. The illness which resulted in her going from us first became apparent in Florida during the winter where annually she has spent the cold months of the year. She returned home four weeks ago with her daughter, Mrs. Myrtle H. Crook. Her return seemed to be the signal for the final collapse of her endurance, and from that time her strength gradually spent itself.

She is survived by four children -- Mrs. Myrtle H. Crook, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; Clifford O. Hill, of Lowell; Harry W. Hill, of Joliet, Ill., and Mrs. Vera A. Fisher, of Gary. Also, seven grand children and one great grand child.

The passing of Mrs. Hill from our midst removes another of that fast dwindling band of pioneers who saw this county grow from a wooded and broken frontier to a great agricultural and industrial community.

Life's labor done, as sinks the day,
Light from its load the spirit flies,
While Heaven and earth combine to say,
"How blest the righteous when she dies."

So when the iron portals shut behind us,
And life forgets us in the noise and whirl;
Visions that shunned the glaring noonday finds us,
And glimmering starlight shows the gates of pearl.

Funeral services, in charge of Rev. V.V. Hackley, were held at the M.E. church in Lowell last Thursday at 2 p.m., with the following order of services:

Ritual reading, Rev. Virgil V. Hackley.

Music, "I Love to Tell the Story: Mrs. Laura Taylor, Mrs. Grace McCarty, Mrs. Calla Hayden.

Scripture reading, Rev. Wm. F. Switzer.

Prayer, Rev. Wm. F. Switzer.

Music, "The Old Rugged Cross," Mrs. Laura Taylor, Mrs. Grace McCarty, Mrs. Calla Hayden.

Remarks, Rev. J.J. Simpson.

Biographical sketch, Rev. Virgil V. Hackley.

Remarks, Rev. Virgil V. Hackley.

Music, "Abide with Me." Mrs. Laura Taylor, Mrs. Grace McCarty, Mrs. Calla Hayden.

Interment, with Sheets and Son in charge, was made in the family lot in Lowell cemetery.

* NOTE -- The deceased's father's name was Joseph Addison Clark; the middle initial of his name was printed incorrectly in this article.