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Historian's Article for April 2007

Mr. Clough

by Alan M. Robinson, P.M., Historian

Clough Field on a warm day in April.

I picked up a mandolin recently and played “O Suzanna” – an old song that my father taught me to play many years ago.  It reminded me of the Minstrel Shows that I performed in when I attended Haven School and Little Harbour School back in late 60’s and early 70’s.  These variety shows were incredible productions.  Lots of kids participated in them and we performed and sang all kinds of songs.  I particularly liked the show tunes from Rogers and Hammerstein.  For 25 years, the shows were produced by a kind and gentle man from Portsmouth; a man that all of us kids knew and liked very much.  His name was Mr. Clough.

Arthur Clifford Clough, Sr. was born on July 30, 1913, the son of Arthur B. and Rose J. (O'neil) Clough.  He lived his whole life in Portsmouth’s South End and carried the title of Puddle Docker as a badge of great honor.  He graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1932.

For many years before his retirement, Mr. Clough worked as the Custodian at Haven School.  He took care of everything at the school especially the kids.  He always spoke when he saw us during the day, and at the day’s end, he would stand out on South Street, stopping the traffic so that we could cross safely, and say goodnight. 

Mr. Clough was a gifted coach.  He was instrumental in bringing sports into Portsmouth’s elementary schools.  In fact, after school on most days you could find him working with Haven School’s baseball and basketball teams. 

In addition to coaching school teams, Mr. Clough was active with youth in several other areas.  He was a favorite Advisor to the members of Portsmouth Chapter, Order of DeMolay.  On Wednesday afternoons for most of the 70’s, dozens of us DeMolay boys would descend on the Bowl-o-Rama for our weekly bowling league.  We always needed an Advisor to watch over us and Mr. Clough was always there sitting in a chair when we arrived – and he was the last one to leave when we were done.  On Sunday mornings when he could have been home, he was with some of us again teaching us religion in Sunday School at the North Church.

For many years, Mr. Clough had a pleasure boat that he moored in the Piscataqua River along New Castle Avenue.  He and his wonderful wife Barbara would row out to it in a little skiff.  They would take the boat out into the harbor for a ride and to fish.  Often times they would invite two or three of us kids to go along.  We would go out near Whaleback Light and catch Flounder and Pollack.

One day back in the early 80’s, Mr. Clough suffered a terrible stroke.  He couldn’t speak anymore and his body was paralyzed on the left side.  After many months of rehabilitation with Mrs. Clough always at his side, he regained some ability to talk and was able to get around with help.  Sadly, in 1985 she passed away.  He remained in his Pleasant Street home for as long as he could and then moved first to the Wentworth Home and then to Edgewood Centre.  From his “apartment” in the Wentworth Home and later at Edgewood, he kept in contact with his lifelong friends.  On most Friday nights for years, he called me on the phone and discussed current events and reminisced about the old days.  While he had some difficulty speaking, I always knew what he was trying to say.  At a point during most every call he would even sing a little from one of his favorite Frank Sinatra hits.

Mr. Clough’s many friends in Portsmouth hosted a testimonial dinner for him at Yokens.  For his unmatched dedication and personal commitment to the kids of Portsmouth, the athletic field on South Street near the entrance to Little Harbour School was named in his honor.  In the corner of the field there is a sitting area and a big rock with a bronze plaque mounted on it that identifies it as Clough Field.  And the road leading to Little Harbour School was named – Clough Drive; two very fitting honors to a very deserving man.

Mr. Clough died on June 6, 2001 at the age of 87.  He is buried with his dear wife Barbara in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Greenland.  We remember him today as a superb role model, a great teacher, a thoughtful advisor and caring coach; and yes, we also remember him as a Brother Mason.  One of my most prized memories is the evening that I was able to bring him back into the Lodge that meant so much to him, the Lodge in which he was Raised a Master Mason on February 10, 1960 – St. John’s Lodge.

The monument at Clough Field.