1947 Honorary Life Member Selections

CHARLES FREDERICK CLARK (1873 – 1949)

Dr. Charles Frederick Clark died at his home in Riverside, California, on May 8, I949. He will long be remembered for his work in potato breeding in recognition of which he was elected an honorary member of The Potato Association of America at its meeting in Chicago, December I947.

Dr. Clark was born at Glover, Vermont, August I3, 1873. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Vermont in I897, a Master of Science from Cornell University in I907, and a Ph.D. from the same institution in I909. He worked as an agronomist and plant breeder at Cornell University from I9O6-19IO when he accepted a position with the Bureau of Plant Industry. Although he retired in I94I he never lost interest in potato breeding, potato varietal classification, and other investigational work. At the time of his death he was actively engaged in revising United States Department of Agriculture Circular No. 74I entitled, “Descriptions of and Key to American Potato Varieties.”

DR WILLIAM STEWART (1865 – 1951)

Dr. William Stuart, who for many years was in charge of the section of potato investigations in the United States Department of Agriculture, died at his home in Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., November 7, 1951, after a long period of illness.

Dr. Stuart was born at St. Remi, Quebec, Canada, in 1865. He received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Vermont in 1894 and the degree of master of science from Purdue University in 1896. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1895. In 1926 the University of Vermont conferred upon him the degree of doctor of science as a reward for his outstanding achievements in the field of horticulture. At Purdue Agricultural Experiment Station he was assistant botanist from 1894 to 1901 and associate horticulturist at the same institution from 1901 to 1902. In 1902 he was appointed horticulturist at the University of Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station where he remained until 1909. From 1909 to 1912 he occupied the position of expert in the Bureau of Plant Industry, United States Department of Agriculture, after which he was promoted to horticulturist and continued in that capacity until he retired in 1935.

Dr. Stuart conducted experiments on a number of crops, but he is best known and will long be remembered for his work in potato investigations. He was without question better informed on all phases of the potato industry than any other man in the United States. He was one of the first members of The Potato Association of America, which he served in many capacities and of which he was made an honorary life member on (the 27th of December, 1947). He took a large part in the development of what is now The American Potato Journal. He was the author of many scientific articles, the titles of which show his wide range of investigations. A partial list would include “Group Classification and Varietal Descriptions of Some American Potatoes,” “The Tuber-Unit Method of Seed-Potato Improvement,””Production of Late or Main-Crop Potatoes,” “Potato Storage and Storage Houses,” “Potato Breeding and Selection,” and many others. His book entitled The Potato, Its Culture, Uses, History, and Classification, although out of date in certain phases of the subject, is still useful to the student interested in the crop.

After his retirement Dr. Stuart made an attempt to revise his book but was prevented, by illness, from completing this task. In his active days Dr. Stuart was a member of several scientific societies.

He was not only a Mason but also a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, both of which institutions he served zealously and untiringly. As a man, Dr. Stuart was characterized by an almost unlimited amount of energy and ability and looked for the same characters in others. His honesty, sincerity, and integrity could never be questioned. All who knew him held him in the highest esteem.