Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

mediately thereafter Mr. Gillespie became
associated with the E. I. Dupont De
Nemours & Company in the development
of military explosives, going from their
laboratories to the Chemical War Service.
He was stationed for a few months in the
Edgewood Arsenal with the rank of second
lieutenant. The professional organ-
izations in which Mr. Gillespie is enrolled
include the American Chemical Society
and the Stamford Chemical Society. He
belongs to the Phi Sigma Kappa frater-
nity, and is a member of the Presbyterian
church.
CLARKE, J. A., M. D.,
Surgeon, Hospital OfiBciaL
The greatest gift that a man can bestow
upon his fellowmen is the gift of himself.
Whether in the daily offering of little
services or in the ultimate sacrifice, the
world is better for every life that is spent
in unselfish devotion to duty. There is
no line of human endeavor which involves
more closely the wellbeing of the entire
community than that of the physician.
And there is no work that demands more
of entire self-forgetfulness. That Dr.
J. A. Clarke fills well the important place
which he holds in the town of Greenwich
is evinced by the fact that he is one of
the busiest of men.
Dr. Clarke is a descendant of a fine old
Irish family. His father was born in
Newtownards, near Belfast, Ireland, in
1843, and died in New York City, June 7,
1905. He received an excellent education
in the old country, and then learned the
business of linen draper. He was ambi-
tious, and possessed of more than usual
business talent, so desiring to place himself
in more advantageous surroundings
he came to America at the age of twentyone
years. In New York City he found
ample scope for the development of his
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
353
taste and business ability in the great dry
goods establishments. He first entered
the employ of James McCutcheon, and remained
for some little time. But he found
the appeal of the new country was not
confined to one locality, and his thoughts
turned to the great West. After a time
he went to Lemars, Iowa, and started in
business for himself in the same line. He
remained there for some years, meeting
with the varying success which conditions
at the time made inevitable. He then re-
turned East, and worked for some years
for Altman, in his great New York house ;
then later, again, for McCutcheon. He
was a valued and trusted member of the
McCutchon force when his health gave
way, and lingering only a short time, he
died. He married Cassandra Lee, daughter
of Rev. William Lee, a devoted Baptist
missionary engaged in home mission
work. The children of this union were
J. A., of whom further; Mary Elizabeth,
widow of James Davidson Clarke, of
Mount Vernon, New York ; and
James
Matthew, deceased.
A. Clarke, M. D., was born in New
J.
York City, June 13, 1871, and is the elder
son and oldest child of Alexander and
Cassandra (Lee) Clarke. He received
his early education in the public schools
of Mount Vernon, New York, where his
parents resided for many years. He made
his start in life in the business world
somewhat along the lines which his fa-
ther had followed. He first entered the
employ of J. B. Locke & Potts, large
wholesale linen merchants of New York
City. In this connection he remained for
three years, then became associated with
C. E. Rycroft, in the same line of busi-
ness, with whom he remained for a year
and a half. At this time his father was
managing the business of Wellington &
Company, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
and the young man was persuaded to be-
: