Robert D. Clark

As printed in 1902

ROBERT D. CLARK.

Boone county has been kind to her citizens, for the rich land can be brought tinder a very high state of cultivation and therefore yields good return for the care and labor bestowed upon it. Mr. Clark is numbered among those who in following agricultural pursuits have won success and now he is living a retired life in Luther, where for five years he has made his home. He is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred on the Wabash river, where the old fort Harrison once stood, his natal day being April 1, 183 1. His father, Samuel Clark, was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared in Ohio, and subsequently removed to Vigo county, Indiana, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring there in 1 84 1.

Robert D. Clark, of this review, was reared in the Hoosier state until sixteen years of age..and in 1847 nc removed to Bureau county, Illinois, and later to Peru, LaSalle county, while subsequently he made his home in Livingston county, that state, where he remained until [874. His school privileges were very limited, but his training at farm work was not meager. lie is a self-educated as well as a self-made man. There have been maintraits of character in his life record worthy of commendation. His faithfulness to duty is indicated by the fact that for seven years he was in the employ) of one man engaged in the livery business in Peru, Illinois.

( hi the 9th of May, 1855, in Livingston county. Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Hannah Maria ( tetrander, a native of Erie county, Xew York, born near the city of Buffalo. About [852, however, she became a resident of Illinois, After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Clark located upon a farm and for three years he devoted his energies ti its cultivation, after which he engaged in the hotel business at Old Redding continuing there and upon the farm for twelve years. He became.a prominent and influential citizen of the community ami was elected and served as county supervisor, township clerk and justice of the peace. Me was depot) sheriff and tilled other positions of In, nor and trust. In 1866 he came to Iowa and purchased land in Colfax township. Boone county, becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie. I fe then returned to Illinois, hut in [874 took up his permanent above in Boone county, locating upon the land which he had previous) durch Lsed. The buildings there were erected by him and the work of cultivation and improvement was also the result of his energy and determination. For twenty-three years he successfully earned on general farming and stock-raising and his efforts were so dis cerningly directed that he gained for Inn self very creditable success, in [897, how ever, he resolved to live a retired life and rented his place, removing to Luther, where lie purchased a residence property, having since made it his home. He is now enjoying the fruits of former toil and his rest is well merited.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born tour children. Chester W. is a farmer of Calhoun county. Iowa. He is married and has five children. The daughter, Ida, is the wife of E. K. Luther, a resident farmer of Douglas township. Boone county, and they have three children. Mr. and Mrs. Clark lost two children. Eliza Jane, who died in her sixth year, and Rosetta, who died at the age of fifteen months. Mr. Clark voted for John C. Fremont in [856 and at each presidential election since that time has supported the Republican party, for he believes firmly in its principles of sound money, of protection and of expansion. His business career as well as his private record has been an honorable one and shows that success may be attained through diligence and perseverance when guided by sound judgment. He had no friends or wealth to aid him in starting o,,t up,.n ins career, but steadily he has advanced and to-day his competence is sufficient to enable him to live without future labor.

As printed in A Biographical record of Boone County, Iowa (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.