Jennie Everton Clarke

Jennie Everton Clarke
Born (1862-07-20)July 20, 1862[1]
Luce Township, IN
Died January 15, 1929(1929-01-15) (aged 66)
Luling, Texas
Education Xenia College
Occupation Orphanage founder/administrator

Jennie Everton Clarke (July 20, 1862 – January 15, 1929) founded the Belle Haven Orphan home in Luling, Texas, in 1899.

Clarke was born Luce, Township, Indiana.[2] Her father, Dr. William T. Everton, was a physician and her mother was Martha Everton.[3][4] She was educated at Xenia College. After Everton's first husband Lee Eckols died in 1894, she married Rev. Alan G. Clarke in 1896, but they divorced in 1898. She had a daughter named Nora with first husband in addition to two of his children from his previous marriage. She was a devout member of the Church of Christ.[4][3] According to the U.S. Census for 1900, she was operating an orphanage with five children in 1900. This was the first orphanage run by a member of the Church of Christ in Texas or other Western states.[2] Of her spouse, she stated, "My husband wore himself out trying to dominate me, and I am still on top of the sod."[5] In addition to running the orphanage, she was also active in the temperance movement.[4] Sources differ on whether she was of English or Irish heritage.[4][5]

A 1918 article written by C.L. Edson in American Magazine gave a very flattering account of Clarke's efforts to provide a strict, but loving home for the boys in her orphanage. In the article, Edson noted that it was unusual for a woman at that period in history to run a dormitory that had boys. Also, Clarke only accepted children who didn't have any living parents, or "true orphans." Some of the boys in her orphanage were described as the "toughest cases" and Clarke insisted on them obeying her rules. However, she claims to have never dismissed a boy violating her rules. She stated, "If I can't win a boy's confidence and show him the right road in life to travel, I'm a failure with that boy." Her goal was for the children under her care to become self-sufficient and expected the boys to care for their living quarters and assigned them tasks such as washing the dishes.[5] The orphanage was on 50 acres of land and domestic sciences, music, art, and farming were taught to both girls and boys. The boys were responsible for the farm work. In addition, there was a store on the property that opened July 20, 1922 to help raise funds.[6]

In November 1921, the Belle Haven Orphanage was incorporated with the goal of the orphanage continuing for another 50 years. The orphanage was purchased for $15,000 and Jennie Clarke, along with the Rev. George M. Rance, J.P Hook, C.F. Dye, and Nora Levy were appointed as life directors.[7] Unfortunately, her health began to fail in the 1920s, and after her death in 1929, the orphanage closed the following year. It is speculated that her efforts inspired the Tipton home in Tipton, Oklahoma and the Boles Home in Quinlan Texas, which were both operated by Church of Christ members. Following Clarke's death, the Luling Signal praised her efforts for working with children.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Hughes & Roberts 2001, p. 165.
  2. 1 2 3 Hughes, Richard (2001). The Churches of Christ. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. p. 198. ISBN 0313233128. OCLC 43954035.
  3. 1 2 Parsons, Chuck; Street, Luling Main (2009). Luling. Arcadia Publishing. p. 53. ISBN 9780738571454. OCLC 700283847.
  4. 1 2 3 4 A Twentieth Century History of Southwest Texas. Lewis Publishing Company. 1907. p. 394.
  5. 1 2 3 Edson, E.L. (November 1918). "Knows How to Get Along with Boys". American Magazine. 86: 54–55.
  6. ↑ "Belle Haven Orphanage Will Observe Birthday". The Houston Post. November 27, 1922 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Life Directors of Belle Haven Home Named". The Houston Post. November 15, 1921 – via newspapers.com.


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