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Elisha Clarke was a descendant of Col. Matthew Clarke, who fought at the siege of Londonderry, Ireland, in 1689,
and who afterward settled on a royal grant of land in this country, and was given the title of "fighting parson"
by becoming a Presbyterian pastor. Elisha Clarke was born in Bristol, Me.; when fourteen years of age removed to
Hallowell and fitted for college at the Hallowell Academy, also learning the printers' trade. In 1836 he married
Sarah Mansfield and moved to Bath, having purchased the Maine Gazette and Inquirer and merged it into the Lincoln
Telegraph. In 1846 he purchased and established a bookstore. While still in this business he accepted the position,
also, of manager of the Daily Tribune. Mr. Clarke with E. Roberts afterwards bought the Tribune, and Mr. Clarke
took editorial charge. In a short time he sold his interest in the paper and entered the Custom House as deputy
collector, which office he held for twenty years, when failing health obliged him to give up business cares. He
died November 23, 1884. He was state senator in 1853 and 1854. He was a member of the Masonic. Solar Lodge and
of Dunlap Commandery, Knights Templar; a charter member of Lincoln Lodge, I. O. O. F., and a Past Grand Master
of the State Encampment of the United States with John T. Gilman, E. S. J. Nealley, and others. He was a faithful
member of the Methodist Church, being made president of its first conference, a delegate of Wesley to the Methodist
Centennial, for years superintendent of the Sunday School, and a member of the official board of the church. Mr.
Clarke was twice married; his second wife was Miss Jane Moore of Waltham, Mass., who survived him. His only son
is Charles Davenport Clarke, the founder and for thirteen years editor of the Bath Independent.
From:
History of Bath and Environs,
Sagadahoc County, Maine.
1607-1894
BY: Parker McCobb Reed
Lakeside Press, Printers
Portland, Maine, 1894
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