Counties > Clackmannanshire > 1877-1887 - Lothian's annual register for the County of Clackmannan

CLACKMANNANSHIRE
County generally lias induced us in tlie present issue
of the Annual Kegister for the County, to give a
brief biographic sketch of Mr Clark, accompanying
this, and enhancing its value by a small but faithful
photograph of one whose memory will long be kindly
cherished amongst us.
From a complication of troubles, accompanied with great
pain, Mr Clark had been seriously unwell for some time in the
course of last summer, and was twice visited by a medical
gentleman of distinction from Edinburgh, but his demise took
place on the evening of Friday the 21st of July, 1876 — the
event touching the heart of an entire community.
The late Mr Clark was a native of Edinburgh, and was
born there in 1819. He was educated at the High School and
University of Edinburgh ; was called to the Bar in 1843, and
early in November, 1852, he received from Mr Tait, the Sheriff
of this county, the appointment to the office of Sheriff- Sub-
stitute, which he held for the long period of 24 years. The
deceased Sheriff- Substitute all along maintained the reputation
of a well-read and accurate lawyer, especially in his Interlocu-
tory judgments — these being written with great ability, clear-
ness, and accuracy, and frequently receiving the approval and
commendation of the Court of Session. When he had an
opportunity of fully applying his mind to questions either of
law or fact, it was seldom indeed — partly from his quickness of
perception — tliat he did not arrive at the true view. Unosten-
tatious in private, thoroughly kind and considerate to the
members of his Court, always sparing no pains to arrive at a
right decision in causes brought before him, our late Sheriff-
Substitute possessed and deserved the full confidence of the
practitioners in his Court, as well as of the public. As a
Sheriff, Mr Clark was scrupulously conscientious, and singularly