Clark, John

CLARK, GAMMILL, BOLAN, MCCLARAN, BIGGS, BOOTH

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 6/28/2019 at 20:05:40

Biography ~ John Clark

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)) pp. 609-612:

"JOHN CLARK of Davis City, is among the well-known pioneers of Decatur County, and was born in Paisley, near Glasgow, Scotland, September 2, 1813. His father, John Clark, was a silk-weaver by occupation, and immigrated to the United States in 1816, landing in Philadelphia. He settled on a small river flowing into the Delaware, about ten miles above Philadelphia. Here he engaged in a cotton factory, and two years later he removed to Western Pennsylvania, settling in Beaver County. About the year 1820 he removed to New Lisbon, Ohio, where he and his wife lived until death. Both died in the prime of life, the father at the age of forty-eight and the mother at forty-five. They left four sons and five daughters. Only two sons and two daughters are living.

"John Clark, the subject of this sketch, lived in Columbiana County, Ohio, until the fall of 1846, when he immigrated to Iowa with his family, which consisted of a wife and five children, all of whom are living. Two children, born in Iowa, died young. Mr. Clark settled in Jefferson County, about six miles southwest of Fairfield, where he lived ten years, then came to Decatur County. In Jefferson he engaged in the wool-carding and cloth-dressing business, in connection with the manufacture of lumber. The machinery was furnished by a man named Matthew Elder, in Pennsylvania, for whom Mr. Clark had worked before coming West. The machinery was operated by steam power, and the mill was farther west than any establishment of the kind in Iowa. In 1848 Mr. Clark lost this property by fire. This was a severe blow, as all the property that he possessed was invested in this business. But through the kindness of Mr. Elder, who sent on machinery to replace that which had been destroyed, he was soon able to resume business, and continued it until coming to Decatur County, in June, 1856. It may be of interest to state that the mill above referred to cut the plank for the first plank road built in Iowa. The operators at the mill were the two sons of Mr. Clark, James S. and William H., who have long been associated with their father in business, and the road for which the plank was sawed was that connecting Keokuk with Charleston, a distance of eighteen miles.

"Mr. Clark entered and purchased in Morgan and Hamilton townships about 1,000 acres of land, one half of which was heavily timbered, much of the timber being of large size and of excellent quality. Here he immediately erected a saw-mill for the purpose of manufacturing this timber into lumber. A small log cabin was already on the place, which his family occupied until he could manufacture lumber with which to build a more commodious residence. He purchased his mill machinery at Keokuk, and hauled it from that place with ox-teams. In 1857 Mr. Clark added two sets of burrs to his mill property, and also carding machinery -- combining in the same building sawing, grist-milling, wool- carding and cloth-dressing. In 1859 he added spinning machinery and looms, manufacturing all kinds of woolen cloths.

"During the war of the Rebellion the demand for his goods increased to such an extent that ten or twelve looms were kept busy. During that period this firm handled not less than 75,000 pounds of wool annually. It proved a successful enterprise, and the greater part of the abundant wealth of J. Clark & Sons was acquired in the manner above mentioned. Their goods were a source of large revenue to the Government. Their surplus funds were turned over the Government in return for bonds, and thus in two ways did "Clark & Sons" contribute in a substantial way to the support of the Union in its struggle for existence. The milling business was discontinued soon after they started the woolen factory.

"In 1869 the First National Bank of Leon was organized with a capital of $50,000, of which Mr. Clark furnished $20,000, and he was president of the bank during the whole term of its existence, or until it became the Farmers' and Traders' Bank. In 1876 Mr. Clark and his son, William H., purchased the Davis mill property, at Davis City, and in 1875 father and two sons built the present brick flouring-mill, at a cost of about $20,000. This mill has superior water-power, and an important use to which this power is applied is pumping water to supply the tank off the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. This work is done by contract. Clark & Sons have contributed largely toward the building up of Davis City, each has a fine brick residence, and they have erected, and still own, all the brick business houses in town, with one exception.

" Another enterprise of public interest, and one highly creditable to the builder, was the erection, in 1878, of a fine brick church at Davis City. Mr. Clark built this church at his own expense, and furnished it with a fine town clock. All its appointments are of the best. The cost of the church and furnishings was about $5,000. Mr. Clark has never identified himself with any religious denomination, but recognizing the importance of moral and religious training, he resolved to construct an edifice that should be free to all denominations. It is called the First Union Church of Davis City, and is the only church building in the town. In order that harmony may at all times attend the use of this church by all denominations, Mr. Clark has established the following rules by which they are governed: 1st. No appointment shall be made for a longer time that five Sundays, the first and last inclusive. 2d. That no meeting be continued more than seven days at any time by one society, if it conflicts with other appointments. 3d. That all appointments must be entered on the journal in order to keep their place. 4th. That all religious societies, having in view the advancement of religious and moral principles, shall have the use of the church in the order of their appointment, without regard to creed, color, or religious notions. 5th. If an appointment of two or more societies should come in conflict with each other it may be decided by lot or ballot who shall have the precedent. 6th. That such society holding regular meetings here, shall contribute their share of the necessary expenses to hire a janitor to keep the house in order and see to everything connected with it, and keep a record of all appointments. 7th. It is respectfully requested that the use of tobacco by every person while in the church be dispensed with, and to be careful not to spit on the floor, order being one of the leading principles of Christian society. 8th. It is requested that every person coming to church will keep their feet off the seats. This rule must be observed. 9th. All appointments to give way for funeral services. 10th. All regular appointments to give way to quarterly meetings and Conferences.

"Mr. Clark was married in 1834 to Margaret C. Gammill, born in York County, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1810. Their five children are -- Elizabeth, wife of James Bolan, of Morgan Township; James, of Davis City; Grisella, wife of James McClaran, of New Buda Township; William, of Davis City, and Mrs. Caroline Biggs, of Morgan Township. The life of Mr. Clark furnishes an example to the youth of to-day of what may be accomplished by energy and continued labor, combined with the honest, noble resolution of benefiting his fellow men with a portion of the material results of a successful life. To the two sons, James and William H., who have long been associated with their father in business, is due much of the success to which this firm has attained, and while the business career of the father, almost from the time he came to Iowa, includes that of his sons, yet, a few particulars which have a more direct reference to them are here demanded. James S. Clark, the elder of the sons, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, January 9, 1839. Like his father he is a thorough, active, energetic business man. Besides his interest in the firm of J. Clark & Sons, he owns a cattle ranch in Frontier County, Nebraska, of about 700 acres. Two of his sons have charge of this ranch; and jointly with William H. he has a fine herd of cattle elsewhere in the same county. The brothers have also a half-interest in a mercantile business at King's City, Missouri. James S. married Miss Mary McClaran, born September 14, 1839. They have three children -- Wilbert, born April 20, 1863; Willis, born September 20, 1865, and Alberta, born November 4, 1868. William H. Clark, the younger of the brothers, was born July 5, 1841. His wife, formerly Miss Olive Booth, was a daughter of Robert Booth, an early settler of Hamilton Township who died in 1885. Mrs. Clark was born in Whiteside County, Illinois, April 12, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. William H. Clark have three children -- Minnie, born August 24, 1865; Rufus L., born October 6, 1867, and child Mildred, was born February 12, 1882, and died September 12, 1885, of membranous croup."

Transcribed by Christy Jay

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.
Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors
The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. p. 336. Chicago. 1915

John Clark

Although more than a quarter of a century has elapsed since the death of John Clark, his memory is still enshrined in the hearts of those who knew him and the influence of his work is still potent. He was one of the earliest manufacturers of woolen goods in Iowa and was also connected with the development of the lumber industry in this state. For many years he resided in Decatur county and was prominently connected with its industrial and financial growth. His integrity and sense of justice were equally as well developed as his business sagacity and power of initiative, and his life was a force for righteousness.

John Clark was born in Paisley, near Glasgow, Scotland, on the 25th of September, 1813, and three years later was brought by his father, John Clark, to America. The family landed at Philadelphia and settled on a small river flowing into the Delaware, about ten miles from that city, where the father conducted a cotton factory. While living in Scotland he had been a silk weaver. In 1818 removal was made to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and two years later he took his family and went to New Lisbon, Ohio, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days. She was a member of the royal family of Stuarts of Scotland, her father, Charles Edward Stuart, being the prince of Scotland and her grandfather the kind of the united kingdom of England and Scotland. Her demise occurred when she was but forty-five years of age and her husband also died when comparatively young, being forty-eight years old at the time of his death. They left four sons and five daughters, all of whom are now deceased.

John Clark of this review resided in Columbiana county, Ohio, until the fall of 1846, when he removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, with his family and engaged in the wool-carding and cloth-dressing business in connection with the manufacture of lumber. This was the pioneer plant of its kind in Iowa and was farther west than any similar establishment. In 1843 Mr. Clark lost the entire mill property by fire but through the assistance of others his machinery was replaced and he was enabled to resume business. His mill cut the first plank for the first plank road in Iowa and its history forms a part of the industrial history of the state. In June, 1856, Mr. Clark removed to Decatur county and settled in Morgan township, purchasing a thousand acres of land from the government, half of which was timbered. He erected a sawmill upon his holdings and added two burrs for the manufacture of flour and also carding machinery, while two years later he installed spinning machinery and looms, manufacturing all kinds of woolen cloth. During the Civil war the demand for woolen goods was so great that twelve looms were kept busy and he handled not less than seventy-five thousand pounds of wool annually. In 1869 the First National Bank of Leon was organized with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars and Mr. Clark was elected the first president of the institution, continuing in that position until it was reorganized as the Farmers & Traders Bank. In 1870 he, in connection with his son William, bought the mill property at Davis City and five years later he and his sons erected the flouring mill which is still in operation at that place. He had the astuteness of mind which enabled him to recognize opportunities where others saw none and he also possessed the energy and aggressiveness to formulate and carry into execution plans for the utilization of such opportunities. These qualities made him a pioneer in the manufacture of cloth and lumber in Iowa and his connection with the industrial and financial development of Decatur county resulted in good to the community as well as in his own material prosperity.

Mr. Clark was married on the 25th of September, 1834, in Columbiana county, Ohio, to Miss Grace Gammill, who died September 21, 1835. To them was born a daughter, Elizabeth, now the widow of James F. Bolon, of Davis City. On the 21st of September, 1836, Mr. Clark married Miss Margaret C. Gammill, an older sister of his first wife, both of whom were daughters of James Gammill, a native of York county, Pennsylvania. To this union were born two sons and four daughters, of whom two survive, namely: Williams, a resident of Omaha; and Mrs. Caroline Biggs, of Leon. Mrs. Clark passed away upon her farm near Davis City in 1902.

Mr. Clark was a republican in his political belief but was never an aspirant for official honors. He never identified himself with any religious organization but realized that the work done by all the churches of a community is of great importance in promoting the moral welfare. He also saw the advantage of church unity and in 1878 erected a good church edifice which he presented to all of the religious societies of Davis City, representing two branches of the Methodist denomination and the Presbyterian and Christian churches. The building is still used by the three congregations and is known as the Union church.

At the time of his death the Decatur County Journal published the following: “Deceased died as he had lived, calm, placid and self-possessed, September 4, 1888, aged seventy-five years. Thus ended the live of John Clark, one of nature’s noblemen, a model man and citizen, a noble and honored father, a loving and true husband, a friend whose friendship was like the light of the sun, true and steadfast in its course. The life of Mr. Clark furnishes an example to the youths of today of what may be accomplished by energy and continued labor, combined with the honest and noble resolution of benefiting his fellowmen with a portion of the material results of a successful life. Mr. Clark was fully aware of the seriousness of his last illness some time prior to his departure and made every arrangement for his burial. Also in talking over the matter with his children he state: ‘I know that my case is a critical one and that no physician can do me any good. I leave my case entirely in the hands of Providence and feel perfectly resigned, let that be as it may, it’s all right.’ This well balanced and perfect consciousness was with him when he breathed his last, for, leaning back into the arms of his son James, surrounded by those he loved, he said to al: ‘I am going - I will soon be gone.’ “

Transcription for IAGenWeb ~ Decatur County

Photograph courtesy of Kierra Osborn