Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 389
DR. SAMUEL W. CLARK

Dr. Samuel W. CLARK, druggist and banker, at Magnolia, Iowa, came to Harrison County, March 20, 1868, from Washington County, Ohio, in company with Robert King and family, who remained two years and returned to the Buckeye State, but who are now residents of Western Nebraska. When our subject first came to Magnolia, he entered a drug store in company with Dr. O'Linn, remained three or four months and sold to O. V. Brainard, and bought an interest in the general merchandising stock of Reuben Yiesley, the firm name being Clark & Yiesley; the following spring Dr. CLARK sold his interest to Mr. Dailey, now of Woodbine flouring mills, and immediately entered into partnership with a firm known as Clark, Ford & Noyes, having two stores, one at Mondamin and one at Magnolia. In the fall of 1869, Capt. John Noyes bought the Mondamin store, while W. F. CLARK and A. W. Ford retained the Magnolia branch. Mr. CLARK sold his interest to his brother, W. F. CLARK, and Mr. Ford, and bought the store of DaIley & Yiesley, and continued until March, 1879, when he moved the stock to Tekamah, Neb., and in a short time sold it, and bought a half interest in the bank of A. W. Ford, in which business he has contiuned ever since. In November, 1884, he put in a stock of drugs having been carrying a small line of drugs prior to this time. Mr. CLARK was reported afterward, but he immediately went to Des Moines, and in twenty-four hours had been examined and was back to Magnolia, receiving a gold seal certificate, which allowed him to handle drugs. On the morning of June 7, 1887, his business house was burned out, destroying every thing, except the safe belonging to the banking business. But before the foundation was scarcely cool he commenced the erection of a one-story brick building, 24x46 feet, which he now occupies, and in which he carries a full line of drugs and carries on a general banking business.

Dr. CLARK was born in Lancaster County, Penn., August 20, 1832, and is the son of Andrew and Harriet E. (RHEA) CLARK. The father was of Irish descent and the mother of English extraction. The father was a farmer, and died in Ohio, in the summer of 1862; the mother following in the autumn of 1863. They were the parents of ten children, of whom our subject was the third child. He attended school in Lancaster County, Penn., leaving there and going to Harrison County, Ohio when our subject was seven years old, and later to Washington County, where he died.

Our subject attended the district schools, common to the Buckeye State, and when fifteen years of age, commenced attending school in McConnelsville, the county-seat of Morgan County. After two years, he graduated from the Academy at that place, and then commenced teaching district school and subsequently a select school at Beverly, Ohio, and while in this school, commenced studying medicine, which he continued to do for about three years, after which he commenced the practice of his profession with his brother, W. F. CLARK.

In the winter of 1854-55, he entered Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, after which he commenced practising in Washington County, continuing the same until he came to Iowa.

He was married in Morgan County, Ohio, in the spring of 1852, to Mary A. JORDAN, one of his former pupils, by whom two children were born. She died in the spring of 1857, and in the spring of 1859, our subject was again married in Washington County, Ohio, to Amanda DILLY, by whom five children were born, three of whom are living. Their mother died at Magnolia, in October, 1875. During the month of December, 1877, the Doctor was married to Helen TAYLOR, a school teacher, and she died the following summer.

October 7, 1879, the Doctor was married to Hannah J. GILKERSON, a native of Marshall County, Iowa, born June 30, 1856; By this union four sons have been born -- Rolland, Frank R., J. W. Dean and Harry D.

Politically, the Doctor is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, in religious matters, both he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church.

He belongs to Magnolia Lodge, No. 126, A. F. & A. M. and Magnolia Lodge, No. 177, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

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