Clarence Merle Work

From “Work Family History”, vol. I (1969) & vol. II (1994), compiled by Von Gail Hamilton.

Clarence moved to CO in the early 1890s. He met his wife, Sylvia, at college. He taught for about 3 years near Fleming, CO, but decided there were other ways of making a living more to his liking. He was in the construction business for a number of years, and built several of the irrigation reservoirs near Ft. Morgan. He also built some of the earliest stores in Ft. Morgan. Before his marriage, he and his cousin, Cree, built the home in which his children were born, and in whiclhhe was still living at the time of his death.

In 1901, the United Presbyterian Church was built in Ft. Morgan, and Clarence was a charter member, as were several of his cousins. He taught an adult Sunday School class for over 70 years; had a perfect attendance at Sunday School for over 80 years. He was an Elder most of his life.

Under contract, Clarence constructed parts of the Bijou Canal, Bijou Reservoir, Empire Reservoir, Jackson Lake and the Riverside system; all under the firm of Josia Work, D.A. Canfield, J.W. McCreery and others. He later became a superintendent of the Bijou system for 12 years. He, among others, was responsible for the system in its most trying days - days of depression, drouth, and threatened foreclosures. Through their tireless efforts, a reduction in interest and a much needed extension of the bonds were secured.