Jasper Clark (1847-1927)

CLARK

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/16/2023 at 15:41:56

Jasper Clark
(September 16, 1847 - July 21, 1927)

Jasper Clark, who resides on section 33, Elm Grove Township, Calhoun County, is one of the thrifty farmers and stock-raisers who have been identified with agricultural interests in this section of the state from the period of its pioneer development. He now owns three hundred and fifty-one acres of valuable land, indicating his careful supervision. Mr. Clark is a native son of the Golden West, for his birth occurred in Delaware County, Iowa, September 16, 1847. His father, John Clark, was born in Virginia in 1815, and George Clark, the grandfather of our subject, was also a native of the Old Dominion, the family having been founded in that state at an early epoch in American history. At length he determined to seek his home on the western frontier, and in 1825 emigrated to Indiana, where he resided for several years. He next removed to Illinois and subsequently came to Iowa, settling in Delaware County about 1835. Here John Clark entered from the government a tract of several hundred acres of land and opened up a farm. In Delaware County he made preparation for a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Olive Rixford, a native of Erie County, New York, and a daughter of
Leverett Rixford, who came to Iowa at an early day casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Delaware County. John Clark became a prominent and influential farmer of that county, met success in his undertakings and there made his home until his death, which occurred about 1892. His wife, surviving him a short time, passed away in 1896. In their family were three sons and three daughters who reached mature years. Andrew became a farmer of Elm Grove Township, Calhoun County, Jasper is the second son; George is a resident of Greene County, Iowa; Cornelia is the wife of Richard Maxwell, of Spokane Falls, Washington: Lucy resides in Delaware County, this state; and Sarah died in early womanhood. On the home farm in Delaware County Jasper Clark spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of boys of the period, and after obtaining his early education in the district schools he remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and was married in Delaware County, on the 15th of October, 1868, to Janette Annis, who was born in Erie. New York, a daughter of Herman Annis, who, on leaving the Empire state, made his way across the country to Delaware county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Clark began their domestic life upon a rented farm which he operated for three years, and in 1872 they came to Calhoun County, where he purchased a tract of raw land of forty acres, the nucleus of his present fine farm. On this he took up his abode in the spring of 1873, broke and fenced the land and made many improvements upon it. In connection with its cultivation he also operated land which he rented until his financial resources enabled him to make other purchases. He has made judicious investments in real estate as he has found opportunity until he now owns two valuable farms, the home place comprising two hundred and forty acres, on which he has erected a good residence and also built substantial barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. Fruit and shade trees add to the value and attractive appearance of the place and the richly cultivated fields return to him good harvests, while fine grades of stock are seen in his pastures. He is justly regarded as one of the leading and successful farmers and stock raisers of his locality. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Clark has been blessed with five children: Bertha, the wife of R. E. Smith, a farmer of Lake Creek township; Leroy, who is married and with his family resides on one of his father's farms; Maud, who pursued her education in the schools of Cedar Falls and for several terms has been successfully engaged in teaching in Calhoun County; Claud, who is a student in Western College in Toledo, Iowa; and Ross, who is attending the home school. Mr. Clark cast his first presidential vote for Horatio Seymour and supported the Democracy for some time, but has now for long years been a staunch Republican, believing in sound money, protection to American industries, expansion and the upholding of the American flag wherever it has been planted through accession or conquest. He was elected and served as township trustee at the organization of Elm Grove township, and for years has been secretary of the school board, exercising his influence for the advancement of the standard of the schools, realizing how important a factor is education in the active affairs of life. In 1882 he was elected a member of the county board of supervisors and filled the position for nine consecutive years, proving a most capable officer and winning high encomiums by his efficient service. During his incumbency
two large drains were erected at a cost of fifty-one thousand dollars, whereby over thirty-two thousand acres of land were reclaimed and made capable of cultivation. When the courthouse was destroyed by fire he co-operated in the movement of the board for the erection of the present fine hall of justice. He served as chairman of the county board for one or two years and was a member of various important committees at other times. He has likewise been township treasurer and has been a delegate to the
county, congressional and state conventions at various times. In whatever position be has been called upon to fill he has proved
reliable and trustworthy, discharging his duty to the best of his ability, his efficient service being highly commended by the best citizens of his township and county. Mr. Clark has always resided in Iowa and for thirty years has been a resident of Calhoun County. He has witnessed the building of the railroad, has seen the wild lands transformed into fine farms and the county generally advance to a proud position among the counties of this great commonwealth and no one has been more loyal to the best interests of the community than Jasper Clark, whose well spent life is indeed worthy of emulation. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.537]