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Robert Clark

CLARK, WALKER, BRENTNER, PRINTZ, THOMPSON

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall
Date: 9/15/2008 at 05:43:25

Robert Clark.
No history of Winnebago county would be complete without extended reference to Robert Clark, whose name is inseparably interwoven with the story of development, progress and improvement here. It was he who perfected the organization of the county, serving as the first county judge. He laid out the town of Forest City, became its first postmaster and was connected with every phase of its growth and improvement from that time until his demise. The present generation is reaping the benefits of his labors and for future development he laid a foundation that is broad, deep and substantial.

New York claimed Judge Clark as a native son. He was born in Johnstown, Fulton county, June 5, 1825, a son of Duncan and Anna (Walker) Clark. When a young man of about twenty years he started for the west, making his way to Chicago, where he purchased forty lots of land now included within the central business section of that city. Some time afterward he disposed of his property there and became a resident of Rockford, Illinois, where he resided until about 1853, at which time he came to Mason City, Iowa, remaining there until 1855. It was in that year that Winnebago county received him into its citizenship. This was then a wild, western frontier region and much of the land was still in the possession of the government. He entered a large tract, began its development and was ever afterward closely associated with the growth and improvement of the county and with many of the prominent events which have molded its history.

It was in October, 1857, that Robert Clark was chosen the first county judge of Winnebago county and in that capacity entered upon the duty of perfecting the organization of the county, dividing it into townships and developing the system of government. His native powers and sound judgment were brought to play in the performance of this task, which he accomplished in splendid manner. He seemed to understand not only the needs of the moment but to look beyond the exigencies of the present to the possibilities and opportunities of the future and his work was done with the idea of the continued development and improvement of the county. After laying out the town of Forest City he became the first postmaster there and also established the pioneer store of the town. He built the first residence in Forest City in 1856 and in 1858 the little hamlet was made the county seat. In 1861 he retired from the office of postmaster after four years' service, and in 1866 he was elected treasurer of Winnebago county, to which office he was re-elected until his incumbency covered ten years, being ended by death on the 12th of August,1876, as the result of a stroke of apoplexy. In the meantime he had also conducted business as a real estate and collection agent and his work in that connection proved the initial step toward the establishment of the Winnebago County State Bank, which has long been regarded as one of the most reliable financial institutions of this section of Iowa.

Mr. Clark was married November 22, 1856, to Miss Eebecca Ann Brentner, a daughter of George and Julia (Printz) Brentner, who were natives of Germany and of Virginia, respectively. The birth of Mrs. Clark occurred in Rockford, Illinois, May 7, 1836, and in Mason City, Iowa, she was married. She still survives her husband and has reached the eighty-first milestone on life's journey.

Four children were born to them: Julia Ann; Brentner M.; Duncan E., a resident of Scobey, Montana; and Cora J., who passed away about twelve years ago, when forty years of age. The daughter Julia was one of the first white children born in Winnebago county, her natal day being September 19, 1857, and she is now the wife of John F. Thompson, president of the Winnebago County State Bank.

Upon attaining his majority Mr. Clark became a supporter of the whig party, and following its dissolution joined the ranks of the new republican party, of which he was ever afterward an earnest supporter. An exemplary Mason, he was the organizer of Truth Lodge, No. 213, F. & A. M., and continued as its master until he departed this life. Of him a contemporary writer has said: "His life was in harmony with the beneficent teachings of the craft, which recognizes the brotherhood of mankind and the obligation of the individual to his fellows. His was an honorable, upright career, one of great service to the community in which he lived, and his memory should be cherished and revered as long as Winnebago county has existence."

~History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa; Pioneer Publishing Co.; 1917; pg 5-6, photo pg 4


 

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