Clarke, James

CLARKE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/22/2007 at 21:54:41

Maquoketa Sentinel-Press
November 17, 2007

James Clarke, came to the United States from his native Ireland in 1828 at age 18. After working for several years as a land surveyor in upstate New York and Ohio, he moved to Jackson County with his wife, born Anne McGinty.

The Clarkes built their homestead near the north bank of the Maquoketa River, west of the present town of Green Island. Eleven of their 12 children were born at that homestead.

Clarke eventually owned 1,000 acres on the bank of the river and operated Clarke’s Ferry to carry people and animals across the water before a bridge was built in the area.

In 1843, a post office was established in the Clarke residence, and James served as the postmaster until his death in 1877. Mail was delivered by horseback, initially just once a week.

Clarke also served as county supervisor, drainage commissioner, tax collector and justice of the peace. He engaged in a number of entrepreneurial activities in the area.

He donated five acres of his land to be used as a depot and stockyards for the new railway company operating from Dubuque to Savanna, Ill. In return, he was given a lifetime railroad pass and was a guest on the new track’s first train.

In 1872, Clarke founded Clarkstown (later renamed Green Island) on his own land. All the streets except Main Street were named for family members.

He donated some of his land for the construction of Sacred Heart Catholic Church so services no longer would have to be done by traveling missionaries.(James Clarke's sister was Mother Mary Francis Clarke, Superior General of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and founder of Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa.)

Clarke died at age 67 on Feb. 6, 1877 and was buried at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Bellevue.

Jackson Biographies maintained by Lynn McCleary.
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