Margaret R. Lenfest was born in Washington, Lincoln county, ME., March 10, 1825, and died December 22, 1922.
She was married to Joel Clark October 20, 1850. To this union were born one son and three daughters: Mrs. Ida Badger of Lompoc, Calif; Willis Gaylord Clark, deceased; Mrs. Lida Goldsmith, deceased; and Mrs. Madge E. Kizer of Manhattan, Kan.
She leaves two daughters, 11 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren. Also one sister, Mrs. Helen Winthrop, Edger, Nebr.who was with her during her last days and a brother, Augustus Lenfest, of Wakefield, Mass.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark emigrated to the then far west in Cedar county, Iowa, in 1856. They were leaders in the schools, the church, and the Sunday school work and in all the community life.
In 1882 they moved again to pioneer in Smith county, Kansas, where they lived on their farm. Here they again threw all their personalities and influence with the Sunday school, the church and the W.C.T.U.work of which they were lifelong members.
She was converted at an early age and lived a consistent Christian life nearly 85 years. She read her Bible through every year and during the last year read her Testament through several times. She loved good literature and had read many biographies and histories from our city library during the past few years.
After an illness of some months she was released from this life---a life during the length of which she saw many changes throughout the world. In these she was greatly interested up to within a few months of her death.
A short funeral service was conducted at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Kizer, by Rev. Slade of the First Congregational church and then the body was taken to Athol.
The funeral at this place was held at the Congregational church, of which she was a member. It was conducted by Rev. J.L. Reed, a former paster, assisted by Rev. Garretson. The W.C.T.U. also read their memorial service and the choir of young people from the church had charge of the music.
She has passed on but her influence and memory will remain in the lives of her children and grandchildren and the scores of young people who came under the influence of her years of teaching and training. Her grandchildren well known here are Rev. Willis L. Goldsmith of Marietta, O.; Mrs. Fred Weed of Athol, Kan.; Mrs. Lloyd Patten of Manhattan; Mrs. Vera B. Lowe of Osawatomie, and Miss Evelyn Kizer of Manhattan.