Clark, John P.

CLARK, NAUGHTIN, WALSH, OMEARA, SLAVIN, HYNES, PURSELL, SMITH, TERRALT, GOLLOFITH, KEEGAN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/25/2003 at 09:23:57

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

JOHN P. CLARK.

This practical and progressive farmer, residing on section 16, Waterford township, was born in New Jersey, on the 17th of March, 1862. His parents, Michael and Sarah (Naughtin) Clark, were both natives of Ireland, but came to America in early life and were married in New Jersey, where they continued to make their home until coming to Iowa, in 1868. They first located in Clinton, where the father was engaged in the sawmill business for the W. J. Young Lumber Company, for two years, and then removed to Waterford township, this county, where he purchased eighty acres on section sixteen. Here he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his retirement from active labor, in 1891, when he removed to Charlotte, and is now enjoying the fruits of former toil. To his original purchase he added a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in 1880. In political sentiment he is a Democrat, and in religious faith a Catholic, belonging to St. Mary’s church in Waterford township. His wife died April 2, 1896, and her remains were interred in St. Mary’s cemetery. They were the parents of four children: Kate, wife of B. T. Walsh, of Parnell, Iowa county, Iowa; John, our subject; Mary, wife of Mathias O’Meara, of Riggs, Iowa; and Michael, who died at the age of twenty-seven years.

Being only six years of age when he came with the family to this county, John Clark acquired his education principally in the district schools of Waterford township, which he attended until he attained his majority. He worked with his father on the home farm until the latter’s retirement when he took charge of the place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, and in 1894 bought it. This farm was in the path of the cyclone which swept over the country May 18, 1898, and everything he had was destroyed, including all the buildings upon the place, one horse and fifty hogs. As he carried no insurance, it was a total loss. One of his horses was blown from the barn into the cellar, while another, which was standing by her side, was found in the cistern, and still another on a neighboring farm. Mr. Clark found his fur coat two miles away with all the lining torn out. The only thing saved from the house was a glass jar, in which were some valuable papers. This was found in the orchard unbroken. On noticing the approach of the storm, the family hid themselves in a hollow on the farm and were uninjured, but Miss Frances Solen, who was on her way home from school, was killed near their place. With his characteristic energy Mr. Clark at once set to work to erect new buildings, and now has a good modern residence nicely furnished, large barns, granaries and other outbuildings. In connection with general farming he raises Aberdeen Angus cattle, and also horses and hogs for market.

Mr. Clark was married at St. Mary’s Catholic church, February 17, 1891, by Rev. Father O’Dowd, to Miss Ellen O’Meara, who was born in Canada, December 30, 1866, and is of Irish descent. Her parents, John and Rose (Slavin) O’Meara, were also natives of Canada and were married in Ostawa. On the 4th of February, 1867, her father first came to Iowa. He made several visits to this state, and finally, in the spring of the same year, brought his family and located south of Delmar, in Clinton county, where he engaged in farming on rented land for nearly two years. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Waterford township, where he made his home until called to his final rest, July 8, 1876. There his wife died, July 22, 1885, and both were buried in St. Mary’s Catholic cemetery. They were devout members of St. Mary’s church, and he was a Democrat in politics. He served as township clerk and trustee for a number of y ears. In his family were the following children: Thomas, who married Catherine Hynes, and is engaged in the livery business in Lyons; James, a real estate dealer of Kalispell, Montana, was married on June 12, 1901, to Miss Josephine Pursell, of Davenport, Iowa; Dennis, who died at the age of twenty years; Ellen, wife of our subject; Jennie, wife of J. S. Smith, of Alvord, Lyon county, Iowa; John, who married Alice Terralt, and died November 19, 1900, while his widow lives in Butte City, Montana; Michael, who wedded Mary Gollofith, now deceased, and resides in Lyons, Iowa; Catherine, wife of James Keegan, of Rock Valley, Lyon county, Iowa; and Daniel, a farmer of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have four children whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Gertrude Sarah, August 3, 1892; John J., February 20, 1895; Francis Ignatius, January 29, 1898; and Daniel Raymond, May 13, 1899.

Mr. Clark is one of the most practical up-to-date farmers of his community, and is a thorough gentleman who is pleasant and affable in manner. He takes quite an active interest in public affairs, and has capably served as township clerk and secretary of the school board. His political support is always given the Democratic party. He is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic church of Waterford township; and also belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters, at Charlotte, and of Camp No. 2486, Modern Woodmen of America, of the same place.