The banks of a city do much in many ways to promote the advancement of the community and the position of president of a banking institution is one involving public responsibility and demanding a spirit of service as well as a high order of business ability. Burton Clark was one of the organizers and is president of the Farmers & Merchants State Savings Bank of Manchester and has proven himself equal to the demands of the office. He was born on the 27th of April, 1864, in Itasca, Illinois, a son of Daniel Clark, who was born in Massachusetts in 1834. The father was a farmer by occupation and passed away in Illinois in 1879. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Mary J. Foster, was born in New Hampshire in 1833 and became the mother of three children: James, a resident of Minnesota; Burton, the subject of this review; and Allen E., residing on a farm near Manchester.
     Burton Clark is indebted for his education to the common schools of Illinois. When a young man of nineteen he left school and entered the merchandising business, in which he remained for twenty nine years, eighteen years being spent in business in Manchester as he came here in 1894. In 1912 he retired from the mercantile field to engage in banking and established the Farmers & Merchants State Savings Bank, of which he is the president. The institution is one of the reliable and well managed banks of the county and much of its success is due to the ability and energy of its executive head. He is also a director and vice president of the W. D. Hoyt Company and a director and treasurer of the Delaware County Telephone Company.
     Mr. Clark was married August 29, 1908, to Miss Frances E. Porteous, who was born in this county, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Porteous, residents of Manchester. Mr. Clark is a republican in his political belief, and his religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church. He belongs to all of the Masonic bodies in Manchester and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He holds the unqualified respect of all who have had dealings with him in business or who have come in contact with him socially, and his attractive personality has gained for him many warm friends.