CLARK, John A. - 1914

CLARK, RISLING, HURSH, TALBOTT

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/10/2009 at 04:21:40

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

JOHN A. CLARK.

John A. Clark is the owner of a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 13, Willow township, and many improvements upon it are the works of his hands, showing him to be an enterprising and progressive farmer. He is a native son of this township, born January 1, 1877, and is a son of Jonah and Emma R. (Risling) Clark, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania. The father came to Cherokee county at an early period in its development. There were no railroads here at the time and the work of improvement and progress seemed scarcely begun. He purchased land in Willow township which he improved and cultivated until 1908, converting his place into a well developed farm, from which he annually derived a substantial income. At length he retired and removed to Cherokee, where he now resides, he and his wife being widely and favorably known there.

John A. Clark was reared and educated in the township in which he still makes his home, attending the district schools and when not occupied with his textbooks aiding in the work of the farm. He also attended Morningside College at Sioux City, Iowa, for one year. He continued to assist his father in the cultivation and development of the home place until twentythree years of age and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 13, Willow township. At once he set about improving the place and has since carried on general farming, his practical progressive methods being evidenced in the attractive appearance of his fields, which annually return to him golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon them.

In August, 1900, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Ada Hursh, a daughter of William H. H. and Emily (Talbott) Hursh, the former a native of Pennsylvania. The father is a miller by trade and followed that occupation during the greater part of his life. He is now living retired, however, making his home in Cherokee. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born two children: Clarence and Margaret, aged respectively twelve and ten years.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church and in politics Mr. Clark is a republican. He is one of the present trustees of his township, which position he has occupied for the past four years, but he is not an active office seeker, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs which are well conducted. He not only tills the soil but also raises and feeds cattle, keeping a large number upon his place. Both branches of his business are proving profitable, and he is justly accounted one of the enterprising and representative young farmers of his native township.