Clarkson, Richard P. 1840 - 1905

CLARKSON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/23/2019 at 16:28:02

Source: Decorah Republican Oct. 5, 1905 P6 C3

RICHARD P. CLARKSON DEAD
DEATH CLAIMED HIM LAST TUESDAY MORNING.
After an Illness of Five Years Death Came Unexpectedly, and Closed a Great Career
Intelligence came to this office Tuesday afternoon of the death of Richard P. Clarkson, late editor of the Iowa State Register, and, at the time of his death U. S. Pension Agent for the district composed of Iowa and Nebraska.
The Clarkson Brothers—“Ret” and “Dick,” each in his day were unrivalled as editors and newspaper men. For two decades “Ret” was at the front and in the public eye, politically, as conspicuously as any other citizen, in or out of office, from Senator or Governor down to any less conspicuous personage. At that time “Dick” was the business manager, who made the financial end of the partnership as successful as the other was making conspicuous the editorial page. When “Ret” retired some of us expected a falling off in the latter respect; but they were most happily surprised to see fully sustained the sturdy independence and mental force which had distinguished the career of Jas. S. Clarkson. There were some respects in which these distinguished brothers were unlike, but in keen ability and editorial force they were alike distinguished. Their ability made the Register unrivalled and their reputation will outlive the generation in which they played a most conspicuous part.
Mr. Clarkson was born in Brookfield, Ind., in 1840; learned the printer’s trade in his father’s office; came to Iowa with the family in 1855, and his alliance with the Register began as a compositor in 1861. He became sole owner, manager and editor in 1889, and remained such until July, 1902, when failing health demanded his retirement. Death resulted suddenly from diabetes.

Transcriber’s Note: Find-a-Grave indicates he is buried in Woodland Cemetery. He was born on April 16, 1840 and died October 3, 1905