January 23, 1841 Clarence Mulford Slack was born

January 23, 1841 Clarence Mulford Slack was born.
By Ed Belding South Brunswick Historical Society

On January 23, 1841, in Hightstown, New Jersey. He studied medicine at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, then enlisted in the Union Navy and served as a physician during the Civil War. Upon returning from military service, Dr. Slack looked for a suitable place to live and work. In 1866, he found property north of Five Corners on the east side of Georges Road in Dayton. The land was purchased from S. Pullen. Slack had a house built on this land in 1870. This is where he also set up his medical practice. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Slack met with a few others to discuss plans to have a Presbyterian Church built in the vicinity. Slack had bought more property for just such a purpose. One such acquisition was the Mershon farm (56.8 acres) in 1879. Eight years later, Dr. Slack sold all his South Brunswick properties to Dr. Edgar Carroll. Included in this transaction was the first house in Dayton to have a bathroom. Slack moved to New Brunswick and set up an office on George Street. He bought a house on Livingston Avenue. Later, he moved his medical practice to his place of residence. Fifteen years later, Slack retired and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he lived out his final years. Dr. Slack was married twice. His first wife was Mary Elizabeth Conover of Middletown, New Jersey. His second wife was Lizzie Helm of New Brunswick. Besides serving the Dayton area for years as a doctor, Clarence Slack served as the Middlesex County Clerk by filling the deceased Charles S. Hill's unexpired term. In the next election, Slack won by popular vote and served a full term. Thus, our Dr. Slack served the public in more than one significant capacity. He was a person who gave much more than he received.