M. W. Clark

CLARK, SMITH, EVANS

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 5/8/2010 at 07:18:27

History of Jackson County, Iowa, James W. Ellis, 1910

Mortimer W. CLARK

M. W. Clark, conducting a profitable business along mechanical lines, well known as an expert farrier, his work in the blacksmith shop being an exposition of all that is most proficient and scientific in the shoeing of horses, well deserves mention in this volume as a representative business man of Maquoketa. He was born in Harlem, County Leeds, Canada, October 8, 1855, and is a son of William D. and Sabina (Smith) Clark. The father was born amid the Green mountains of Vermont, while the mother was a native of New York. They were married in the Empire state and some time afterward removed to Canada where they resided for several years, but in 1853 returned to the states, locating in Lena, Stephenson county, Illinois, where both parents passed away. Mr. Clark of this review comes of Puritan ancestry. One Smith on his mother's side was a scout in the Continental army, was captured and confined in prison in Montreal, Canada. He was condemned to die but fortunately escaped from prison and secreted himself in the forest where he almost perished from exposure. Eventually, however, this brave man reached a place of safety and lived for some time enjoying the fruits of liberty.
William D. Clark was a blacksmith by trade and as the son approached manhood he learned the business under the direction of his father, working with him in the shop until about twenty-three years of age. At different times he also spent periods in working at wagon blacksmithing in machine shops and received special instruction in horseshoeing, learning the business in all of its branches. For some time after leaving home he traveled over the country, working at different places, but in 1873 his father died and he returned home, conducting the shop for five years.
The year 1878 witnessed Mr. Clark's arrival in Maquoketa, where he has since made his home. He has made a specialty of horseshoeing, in which he has been very successful, following the work along scientific lines. He believes that every man who shoes a horse should be made to pass an examination before the state board of veterinary surgeons on the diseases of horses and their causes and should not be allowed to practice on the poor dumb animal. The excellence of his work has brought him a liberal patronage and his business is now of profitable proportions.
M. W. Clark was married on the 25th of August, 1880, to Miss Fannie Evans, a native of Wales. Her mother died in Kerry, England, where the family was then living, and in 1860 the father with his four children came to the United States, settling in Galena, Illinois, whither his parents had preceded him. Mr. Evans was a musical professor of Galena and was widely known in Masonic circles in that part of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born four children. Anna Bessie, a graduate of the Maquoketa high school and of the liberal arts department of the Iowa State University, is now principal of the high school of Bellevue, Iowa. Leslie W. took up the study of medicine and is now a practicing physician at Onaka, South Dakota. Frances T., a graduate of the Detroit (Michigan) Conservatory of Music is now supervisor of music and drawing in the Bellevue school. Victoria L. is a graduate of the Maquoketa high school and is now teaching second primary in the fourth ward. Mr. Clark is a firm believer in higher education and has given his children excellent opportunities which they have improved so that their records are such as may well constitute a source of pride to the parents. Mrs. Clark has shared with her husband in the elevation and education of the children and they have put forth every possible effort to give them good opportunities. The family are all members of the Baptist church, loyal to its teachings and active in its work.Mr. Clark likewise belongs to Helion lodge, No. 36, A. F. & A. M.; and Jackson lodge, No. 33, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a republican and was twice a candidate for alderman, on which occasions he ran far ahead of his ticket, being defeated at one time by only nineteen votes, and at the other election by but five votes. He is one of the highly esteemed residents of Maquoketa, his worth as a business man and citizen being widely acknowledged. He places a correct valuation upon life and its opportunities and seeks to make good use of every passing hour.

Mortimer Clark Grave
 

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