Arthur Clark

CLARK

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 10:30:58

Arthur Clark, is the president of the Ogden State Bank, of Ogden, Iowa and his name figures conspicuously in connection with financial circles in this part of the state, where he is honored and respected by all who know him, not only because of his excellent success, but because of the straight forward and honorable business policy he has ever followed. Mr Clark is a native of Java, Wyoming county, New York, born February 14, 1839, his parents being Samuel an Anna (Bryant) Clark, both of Hanover City, Vermont, whence they removed to Wyoming county, New York, at tan early day. There the father engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life and was a very prominent and influential man of that county. He filled either the office of a justice of the peace or that of county supervisor for a quarter of a century and was most loyal to the trust reposed in him. His wife is still living at the age of eighty-seven years and makes her home with her granddaughter. A blanche Clark, in Ogden, Iowa. She has long been a very active member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has retained her mental and physical faculties to a marked degree. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children, five of whom are yet living, as follows: William, a merchant and horse dealer in Ames, Iowa, Arthur, the second, in order of birth, Orson, a prominent practicing physician of Ogden, Lucina, and James, a banker of Ravenna, Buffalo county, Nebraska.
Arthur Clark received a common school education in early life and was married on reaching man’s estate, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Watson, a daughter or John Watson, of Eagle, Wyoming county, who was proprietor of a saw and flour mill at that place. There Mrs Clark passed away in 1874. Three children were born of this union: Samuel Watson, who came to Ogden in 1886, was engaged in the banking business until his death, which occurred February 12, 1891. Lillian is the wife of Ellsworth Cheney, who is now traveling in the interests of a large woolen mill of Sandusky, New York. A Blanche, the youngest, has for several years been the efficient assistant cashier in the Ogden State Bank. After the death of his first wife Mr Clark was again married, his second union being with Miss Marian Holes, a daughter of Myron Holmes, of Sandusky, New York, who was a leader in general merchandise until his death which occurred in 1894. Unto Mr Clark and his wife ahs been born one child, Arthur, who is connection with his sister A Blanche purchased the old Cutler farm in Beaver township, upon which they are now living.
During the Civil War Arthur Clark was drafted and detailed to Colonel Tracy’s office for camp distribution at Elmira, New York. At one time there were eleven thousand Confederate soldiers there. He was mustered out in 1863 with the Sixty-third New York regiment. For one year he was a clerk in Governor Fenton’s office, which position he satisfactorily filled. He resided upon the old homestead in Wyoming county, New York, and there engaged in farming until 1891, when he removed to the west and established his home in Ogden. Here he at once began the banking business and was chosen president of the Ogden State Bank, in which capacity he has since served. In politics he is a stanch Republican and in 1862 he became a delegate to the first Union convention, composed of Whigs, War-Democrats Republicans, at which Morgan was nominated for governor of New York. While residing in the Empire state our subject was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, serving in 1876-7.Socially he is identified with Rhodes Lodge, No 303, F & A M of Ogden, and has been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic since its organization. During the greater part of the summer months he spends his time upon his farm with his wife and son, on Sec 27, Beaver township. This is known as the Forest Home farm and is being placed under a high state of cultivation, a variety of grains, vegetables and fruits being raised. At the front has been plated a grove of evergreens, elms, maples and other trees, which is said to be the finest grove in the state. Mr Clark owns a fine residence on main street in Ogden and intends to make his home here. He is one of the prominent citizens of the place and the family is well known throughout Boone county. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Ogden than Mr Clark, He has been an important factor in Business circles and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. He is public spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of his community.

1902 Boone County History Book