Samuel Clark - 5 Oct 1855

CLARK, MARKHAM, GIDDINGS

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/25/2011 at 18:22:30

History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 2, by James Whitcomb Ellis, 1910.
Biographical Sketches

SAMUEL CLARK.

Samuel Clark is numbered among those representative American citizens who claim England as the place of their nativity and who in this country have found the opportunities which they sought for advancement along business lines. Born in Maxey, near Peterborough on the 5th of October, 1855, he was there reared and in the schools of his native country acquired a good education. In early life he learned the wagonmaker's trade, in which he became very proficient, being recognized as one of the best wagon wheel makers in England. There was no opening for him in that line of business in England, however, and, hearing the call of the new world and thinking to find better opportunities in business lines on this side of the water, he came to America in 1882, landing at Quebec, Ontario, from which place he at once came to the states, taking up his abode in Sabula, Iowa. There he bought a wagon shop and immediately began working at his trade. But one year, however, was devoted to that line of activity, for, after becoming more acquainted with the country he came to the conclusion that the field of agriculture would be more profitable and consequently purchased fortythree acres of land from Captain N. C. White, upon which place he at once began the occupation of farming. He was successful from the first, for the soil of Iowa is naturally rich and productive, and as the years passed his fields were brought under a high state of cultivation, responding readily to the care and labor bestowed upon them. He is systematic, progressive and up-to-date in his methods and so carefully has he managed his affairs that with the passing of the years he has been able to add to his original purchase until today in partnership with his two sons he is the owner of two hundred and eleven acres of valuable land which constituted one of the desirable properties of Iowa township.

In 1883 Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Leah Louisa Markham, who is also a native of England, her birth there occurring on the 1st of April, 1861, and is a niece of Alfred Giddings, a well known nursery man. They had been engaged to be married for about four years prior to Mr. Clark's arrival in the United States, but owing to the failure on his part to find work in the line of his trade in England, the wedding was postponed and he came to the new world, thinking here to establish a home for his bride. Successful from the beginning, in about a year he was able to send for her and she arrived in March, 1883, their wedding being celebrated on the 31st of that month. Unto this union have been born four children, namely: John Percy, born January 28, 1884; Joseph Vernon, March 4, 1885; Alfred Blaine, April 11, 1891; and Mabel Anne, April 6, 1898.

Although Mr. Clark is widely recognized as a most progressive and successful business man, yet he is perhaps equally well known by reason of his activity in community affairs, his efforts being potent factors in public life and also in local political circles of Jackson county. A stalwart republican, he has been called to fill many important offices, being at present justice of the peace, which position he has held for twelve years, his long continuance therein testifying to his efficiency and faithfulness in the discharge of his duties. A stanch champion of the cause of education, he is a member of the township school board, of which he was at one time president. Prominent in local republican ranks, he has been sent as delegate to various state and national conventions and was appointed assistant sergeant-at-arms at the republican national convention held at Chicago on the 16th of June, 1908, and on that occasion was presented with the badge of Iowa, only seven hundred of which were distributed. Fortunate in possessing ability and character that inspired confidence, the simple weight of his character and ability has brought him into positions of trust and responsibility and he ranks high among the well known and valued citizens of Iowa township.

Fraternally Mr. Clark holds membership with the Masons, being senior warden of his lodge, and also with the Modern Woodmen of America, now serving as treasurer of the latter organization, which office he has filled for four years. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church, and he is the president of the association of that institution. Possessing much musical taste and ability, while still a resident of England he belonged to a brass band, but since his arrival in the United States he has not indulged his fondness for that art to the extent of allying himself with any musical organization. A man of good business ability, he has ever been watchful of opportunities, seizing legitimate advantages as they have arisen, and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek his fortune in the new world for here, where advancement depends so much upon individual effort, he has found the opportunities which he sought, his perseverance, diligence and integrity having brought him to the honorable place which he now occupies among his fellow citizens.