CLARK, A. J.

CLARK, TURNER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/20/2003 at 12:04:13

A. J. CLARK
Prominent among the early settlers of Clinton county is A. J. Clark, who came to DeWitt in 1841, and was for many years actively identified with her business interests, but is now living retired. He was born near Massillon, Stark county, Ohio, on the 1st of February, 1837, and on the paternal side is of sturdy Welsh ancestry. His father, Rev. T. W. Clark, was born in 1808, in the province of New Brunswick, Canada, where the family was founded at an early day, and there he was reared. When a young man he went to Stark county, Ohio, and there married Miss Ann Turner, also a native of New Brunswick and a daughter of Dr. George W. Turner. He purchased a partially cleared farm in that county and engaged in its operation for some years, but in 1840 came to Clinton county, Iowa, in company with his father-in-law, who entered a large tract of land near DeWitt, erected thereon a mill, and successfully engaged in milling for several years. He was one of the pioneer physicians of this locality and was a very prominent business man. In 841 Mr. Clark was joined by his family and located on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres south of DeWitt, now constituting what is known  as South DeWitt. He also owned other lands and carried on farming quite successfully. He assisted in laying out the town of DeWitt and sold his farm to the land company who platted South DeWitt. He founded the Baptist church of DeWitt and devoted the last years of his life to the work of the ministry. He was well known in Clinton and adjoining counties, and was held in the highest respect and esteem. His death occurred May 10, 1883, having survived his wife some years.
Our subject was a child of only four years when brought to this county, and here his boyhood and youth were passed. He completed his education at Mt. Carroll, Illinois. After arriving at mature years he engaged in the real estate and loan business for some years, and for a quarter of a century was interested in the grain business. He was a large land owner and improved several farm in this county, and also stimulated industries by letting others have the use of his money. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of DeWitt, was a stockholder and director of the same, and served as vice-president until his removal to the state of Washington in 1894, when he sold his interests in this county. For six years he made his home near Seattle, being engaged in mercantile and real estate business, but in the spring of 1900 he returned to DeWitt and has since lived a retired life.
Mr. Clark has always supported the men and measures of the Republican party since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. His father was originally a Whig and later a Republican. With exception of a short time spent in Washington our subject has been a resident of this county for sixty years, and has witnessed its wonderful growth and development. His connection with various business enterprises has been of decided advantage to the county, promoting its welfare in no uncertain manner, and he has always been recognized as one of the most valuable and useful citizens of the community - one who is pre-eminently public- spirited and progressive.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.