Monroe Clark

As printed in 1901

MONROE CLARK.

One of the substantial citizens of Marion township, Jasper county, is Monroe Clark, who is also a highly respected business man. His birth occurred in Madison county, Arkansas, March 20, 1832, and he was a son of Thomas Clark, who was born in the state of Tennessee about twenty-five miles from Nashville. In 1855 he removed to Barry county, Missouri, where he died at the age of seventy-six. His ancestry was a combination of Irish. Dutch and English.

The mother of Monroe Clark was in her maidenhood Nancy Combs. She was a member of the old family of that name, well known throughout Tennessee, and she lived until she had reached her seventy-sixth year. Twelve children were born to these parents, and all grew to maturity and are living. They have scattered and founded families of their own in different parts of the Union.

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he went to Xeuton county, Missouri, and began mining, and in 1871 he came to Jophn, at which time but one house had been erected in what is now a thriving city. Mv. Clark hauled the first pump that was set up in JopHn, bringing it from Oronogo. In connection itli WilHam Beaves lie kept house lor a time iri a wagon. Those were busy days, and Mr. Clark worked industriously as a common miner, following this laborious task from 1871 until 1895. He was resolute, courageous, persevering, and, therefore, successful.

In 1893 he bought his farm of five hundred and seven acres, and removed to it in 1895, and since that date has carried on general farming, in connection with duties pertaining to various other business lines. This farm is called the Town Line Stock Farm, and he has two residences upon it, near the center of the property, with all kinds of valuable improvements, including commodious barns. He has taken an active interest in politics and was one of the first councilmen in Joplin, holding the office for eight years, and through his efforts many of the most important improvements in this section were organized and carried out. He built the first hotel in Joplin, named it the St. James, and rented it.

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Mr. Clark also had mercantile experience. In connection with \V. E. Johnson he embarked in the mercantile business in Joplin, and continued for two years, later trading this business for a coal mine, although he does very little mining now, giving his attention principally to farming. He owns considerable prnpcrty in 'ebb City, which he rents and which produces a good income.

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As printed in The biographical record of Jasper County, Missouri (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.