CLARK, Albertus S.

CLARK, POPPLE, THOMPSON, SMITH, CROSSLEY, STANTON, LORD, KIRSH

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/2/2014 at 12:36:42

HISTORY of CERRO GORDO COUNTY, IOWA
WHEELER, J.H. Vol. II. Pp. 571-71. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago. 1910

BIOGRAPHY ~ ALBERTUS S. CLARK

For more than a quarter of a century a resident of Mason City, Alburtus (sic, should be Albertus) S. Clark, county auditor of Cerro Gordo county, has ever taken a warm interest in local affairs, serving his fellow men in various capacities, in the performance of his public duties devoting his time and attention in generous measure. He was born June 4, 1846, in Madison county, New York, a son of Stephen and Susan (Popple) Clark. His father, a native of New York state, died in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, in 1892, aged seventy-four years. His wife, who was born in Rhode Island, in 1822, is now living in Wisconsin. Five children were born of their union, as follows: Mary, widow of George Thompson, of Berlin, Wisconsin; Helen, wife of H. C. Smith, of Jamestown, North Dakota; Alburtus S., the subject of this brief biographical sketch; George of Green Lake county, Wisconsin; and Wallace, a resident of the same county. The parents were among the early pioneers of the county, and while busy clearing and improving their own homestead were important factors in advancing the material interests of the community in which they spent the best years of their lives.

Eight years of age when his parents migrated to Wisconsin, Alburtus S. Clark grew up on the farm, attending the short sessions of the district school, in the meantime becoming familiar with the various branches of mixed husbandry. In February, 1864, he enlisted as a bugler in the First Wisconsin Cavalry, and served in that position until the close of the conflict. Returning to the parental roof-tree, he assisted in the care of the farm during the ensuing two years, after which he was clerk in a shoe store for a year. Becoming a traveling salesman, then for a shoe firm, Mr. Clark continued on the road nine years, in the meantime, in 1874, purchasing a half interest in a shoe and grocery store at Waupun, Wisconsin. Leaving the road in 1881, he had charge of the Waupon shoe establishment for three years.

Coming to Mason City in the fall of 1884, Mr. Clark embarked in the stock and grazing business. Opening a meat market in 1892, he managed it successfully for three and one-half years, when it burned out, and he did not rebuild. Being elected city assessor, he served faithfully for six years, afterwards being engaged in the real estate and insurance business as junior member of the firm of Crossley & Clark. In the fall of 1906, Mr. Clark was elected county auditor of Cerro Gordo county, and served so ably and satisfactorily that in 1908 he was re-elected for another term of two years. He was again the candidate for the third term, without opposition, on the Republican ticket, for the November election of 1910. While living on the home farm in Wisconsin, when little more than a boy, he was made road master, and about the same time was elected school treasurer. While serving in the latter capacity Mr. Clark tells of his experience in caring for the money entrusted to him. He carefully spread the bills over the bottom of his trunk, covered them with a newspaper, and then put his clothes on top of the papers, his trunk proving a very safe bank deposit.

Politically Mr. Clark in an unswerving Republican. Fraternally he belongs to C. H. Huntley Post, No. 42, G. A. R.; to Benevolence Lodge No. 145, A. F. & A. M. to Benevolence Chapter No. 46, R. A. M., and both he and his wife are members of Unity Chapter No. 58, O. E. S.

Mr. Clark married November 27, 1872, Elizabeth Stanton, who was born in Piscataquis county, Maine, February 21, 1854, a daughter of George W. and Hannah (Lord) Stanton, both natives of Maine. Her parents moved from Maine to Dodge county, Wisconsin, in 1856, and there her father was for many years successfully engaged in farming, later, however, embarking in the grain business at Waupun, where he resided until his death, at the age of seventy-nine years, in 1893. His wife preceded him to the better world, dying in 1885, when but fifty-nine years of age. Of the six children born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stanton but three survive, namely: Joseph E. Stanton, of Appleton, Wisconsin; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Clark; and George W., of Seattle, Washington. Mrs. And Mrs. Clark are the parents of four children, namely: Edith L., wife of Frank Kirsh, of Everett, Washington; George J., teller in the First National Bank of Los Angeles, California; William B.; and S. Beatrice.

NOTE: Albertus S. Clark died on December 3, 1911. Eliabeth Cora (Stanton) Clark died on May 5, 1917. They were interred at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014