Biography of
James S. Clark
p. 1079
JAMES S. CLARK
There are turning points in every
man’s life called opportunity. Taken advantage of they mean ultimate success.
The career of
James S. Clark is a striking illustration of
the latter statement. Diligent and ever alert for his chance of advancement, he
has progressed steadily until he is recognized today as one of the foremost
business men of Sparta, which place has long represented his headquarters as
engineer of ways and structures for the Illinois Southern Railway Company. Here
he is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens, who honor him for his native
ability and for his fair and straightforward career, and at the present time, in
1911, he is filling his second term as mayor of the city.
A native of Scott county, Indiana, James S. Clark was born
on the 8th of October, 1868, and he is a son of James M. and Adaline (Stodgehill) Clark, the former of whom was summoned to the life
eternal in the year 1895 and the latter of whom is now living at Seymour,
Indiana. The paternal grandfather of him to whom this sketch is dedicated
immigrated to Indiana in an early day, there becoming a pioneer settler in the
wilds of Scott county, the major portion of his time and attention having been
devoted to agricultural pursuits. James M. Clark was one
of a family of three children, all of whom are now deceased. The only brother,
Martin Clark, located in Peoria county, Illinois, where he
passed the declining years of his life, James S. Clark’s mother, whose maiden name was Adaline Stodgehill, is a
daughter of Croxton Stodgehill, long a well known farmer
in Kentucky. Since the death of her honored husband Mrs. Clark has resided at Seymour, Indiana, where she is deeply beloved by all who have
come within the sphere of her gracious influence. Concerning the children born
to Mr. and Mrs. James M. Clark: Laura
is the wife of Robert Rose, of Columbus, Indiana; James S. is the immediate subject of this review;
Lillie married Samuel Ross, of
Jonesville, Indiana; and Annis is now Mrs.
Archibald Downs, of Seymour, Indiana.
To the common schools of his native place James S. Clark is indebted for his preliminary educational training, At the comparatively early
age of sixteen years he was obliged to leave school in order to become an
earning power in the home. Four years later he became a section hand on the
Pennsylvania Railroad, his headquarters being at Columbus, Indiana, where in
fourteen months he was made foreman of Section No. 18. Subsequently he became
extra gang foreman on the Louisville division of the road and he continued in
the employ of the Pennsylvania company until 1898, when he resigned in order to
accept service with the Southern Indiana Railroad Company. For five years he
held the position of roadmaster for the latter railroad and on the 1st of April,
1903, he entered the employ of the Illinois Southern Railroad Company in the
same capacity, continuing as roadmaster for the ensuing six years when he was
made engineer of ways and structures on this road. He is a business man of
unusual sagacity and ability, and inasmuch as his success in life is entirely
the outcome of his own well directed endeavors it is the more gratifying to
contemplate.
Mr.
Clark's
citizenship in Sparta commended him to the people as an admirable
candidate for the office of alderman, and in 1905 he was
chosen
to that position without regard to party affiliations. Two years later he was
urged to stand for mayor and was elected as such to succeed Dr.
Simpson. His first capable administration recommended him for a second
term and he was chosen by the city again in April, 1911. While little of
consequence beyond the routine business of the corporation has come before him
as yet the question of sewers and an adequate water supply for the city is
assuming shape by agitation for early
P.
1080
consideration. In fraternal circles
Mr. Clark is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Felows and with the Knights of Pythias.
In Jackson county, Indiana, on the 30th of October, 1895, was solemnized the
marriage of Mr. Clark to Miss Della
Mitchell, a native of the old Hoosier state of the Union and a daughter
of Evan and Mary (Peacock) Mitchel, both of whom are now
residing in the beautiful city of Indianapolis.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of two children, whose names are here entered in
respective order of birth,—John Morris and Glenn Kenneth. Mrs. Clark is a member of the Presbyterian church, in the
various departments of whose work she is a most zealous worker. They are popular
factors in connection with the best social activities of the community and their
home is recognized as one of most gracious hospitality.
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