Robert D Clark

CLARK

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 11:41:40

Robert D Clark, Boone county has been kind to her citizens, for the rich land can be brought under a very high state of cultivation and therefore yields good return for the care and labor bestowed upon it. Mr Clark is numbered among those who in following agricultural pursuits have won success and now he is living a retired life in Luther, where for five years he has made his home. He is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred on the Wabash river, where the old fort Harrison once stood, his natal day being April 1, 1831. His father, Samuel Clark, was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared in Ohio, and subsequently removed to Vigo county, Indiana, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring there in 1841.
Robert D Clark, of this review, was reared in the Hoosier state until sixteen years of age, and in 1847 he removed to Bureau county, Illinois, and later to Peru, La Salle county, while subsequently he made his home in Livingston county, that state, where he remained until 1874. His school privileges were very limited, but his training at farm work was not meager. He is a self educated as well as a self made man. There have been many traits of character in his life record worthy of commendation. His faithfulness to duty is indicated by the fact that for seven years he was in the employ of one man engaged in the livery business in Peru, Illinois.
On May 9, 1855, in Livingston county, Mr Clark was untied in marriage to Hannah Maria Ostrander, a native of Erie county, New York, born near the city of Buffalo. About 1852, however, she became a resident of Illinois. After their marriage Mr and Mrs Clark located upon a farm and for three years he devoted his energies to its cultivation, after which he engaged in the hotel business at Old Redding continuing there and upon the farm for twelve years. He became a prominent and influential citizen of the community and was elected and served as county supervisor, township clerk and justice of the peace. He was deputy sheriff and filled other positions of honor and trust. In 1866 he came to Iowa and purchased land in Colfax township, Boone county, becoming the owner of 160 acres of raw prairie. He then returned to Illinois, but in 1874 took up his permanent abode in Boone county, locating upon the land which he had previously purchased. The buildings there were erected by him and the work of cultivation and improvement was also the result of his energy and determination. For twenty-three years he successfully carried on general farming and stock raising and his efforts were so discerningly directed that he gained for himself very creditable success. In 1897, however, he resolved to live a retired life and rented his place, removing to Luther, where he purchased a residence property, having since made it his home. He is now enjoying the fruits of former toil and his rest is well merited.
Unto Mr and Mrs Clark were born four children. Chester W is a farmer of Calhoun county, Iowa, He is married and has five children. The daughter, Ida, is the wife of B K Luther, a resident farmer of Douglas township, Boone county, and they have three children. Mr and Mrs Clark lost two children, Eliza Jane, who died in her sixth year, and Rosetta, who died at the age of fifteen months. Mr Clark voted for John c Fremont in 1856 and at each presidential election since that time has supported the Republican party, for he believes firmly in its principles of sound money, of protection and of expansion. His business career as well as his private record has been an honorable one and shows that success my be attained through diligence and perseverance when guided by sound judgment. He had no friends or wealth to aid him in starting out upon his career, but steadily he has advanced and today his competence is sufficient to enable him to live without future labor.

1902 Boone County History Book