Biography of “MONROE CLARK

“One of the substantial citizens of Marion Twp, Jasper Co [MO], is Monroe CLARK, who is also a highly respected business man. His birth occurred in Madison Co, AR, 20 Mar 1832, and he was the son of Thomas CLARK, who was born in the state of Tennessee about 25 miles from Nashville. In 1855 he removed to Barry Co, MO, where he died at the age of 76 years. 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 76th 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.

“Monroe CLARK was the eldest son of his parents, and he was reared in Madison Co, Ark., where he remained until he had nearly reached his 21st year. In 1865, immediately after the close of the Civil War, he went to Newton Co., Mo., and began mining, and in 1871, he came to Joplin [Jasper Co, MO], at which time but one house had been erected in what is now a thriving city. Mr. CLARK hauled the first pump that was set up in Joplin, bringing it from Oronogo, MO. In connection with William BEAVES he kept house for a time in 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, perservering and therefore successful.

“In 1893 he bought his farm of 507 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 on 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 8 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.

“Mr. CLARK was one of the pioneer miners, and has had much experience in handling mining property. He was one of the syndicate that opened the Tracy mining tract of 440 acres at Webb City, Mo., and was superintendent of same for 8 years and owned one-fifth of teh lease. The last year of the company's operations, they paid ten percent royalty, which amounted to $30,000. His partners were L. C. PRICE…J. A. HEWITT…W. M. LACKEY…E. R. MOFFETT and with him composed the company that opened up that large and productive mining property and operated it for 9 years.

“Mr. CLARK also had mercantile experience. In connection with W. E. JOHNSON he embarked in the mercantile business in Joplin and continued for 2 years, later trading this business for a coal mine, although he does very little mining now, giving his attention principaly to farming. He owns considerable property in Webb City [Jasper Co, MO], which he rents and produces a good income.

“Mr. Clark was married, 25 Dec. 1852, to Elizabeth NEWTON, who was born in Batesville [Independence Co], Arkansas, but was early left an orphan. To Mr. and Mrs. CLARK were born these children: Nancy Jane, who is the wife of Virgil BOARD of Joplin, Mo.; Alabama who is the wife of John F. WISE of Joplin; Amanda, who married W. A. DOOLEY, but both have passed away; Mary Ellen, who is the wife of J. W. COLVIN of Joplin; Alonzo, who married, Miss SHANNON of Joplin; and an infant who died. One of the members of the family of Mr. CLARK is his grandson, Frank DOOLEY, who lost his parents when a babe. He is a resident of Joplin and married Miss Maud SIMS.

“The success which has attended Mr. CLARK is but the natural results which follows, energy, industry and ability. He has been one of the most important factors in the industrial and social growth of Joplin, and although widely known, the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens extends far.

Biography of JERRY CLARK

“Jerry CLARK is a leading and influential citizen of Webb City [Jasper Co] Mo., connected with the mining interests of Jasper County and was born near Huntsville, Madison Co. Ark. on 2 Mar 1849, his parents being, Thomas and Nancy (Combs) Clark. He is a representative of one of the old families of North Carolina, his grandparents, William and Mary (RHOADES) Clark both being natives of that state. The latter's mother lived to a very advanced age, for when last heard from in 1874, she had passed the 108th milestone, on the journey of life. Thomas CLARK, the father of our subject was born in McMinn Co., Tenn. in 1809, and was a farmer by occupation. He served as justice of the peace and as a member of the school board and was regarded as one of the representative citizens of his community. He married, Nancy Combs, who was born in North Carolina in 1812. They had 12 children and at the time of their death had 140 grandchildren, beside great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. All of the 12 children are living and the youngest is now 47 years old. They are:

Mrs. Elizabeth JOHNSTON, who has 12 children.
Monroe CLARK, who has 4 children.
Mrs. Lavina FLAY [FLY?], who had 3 children.
Jasper CLARK, who has 2 children.
Mrs. Charity FLY, who has 5 children.
James CLARK, who has 5 children.
John CLARK, who has 2 children.
Jerry CLARK, who has two children.
Lee C. CLARK, who has 1 child.
Thomas C. CLARK who has 1 child.

“The family is certainly remarkable both for its numerical strength and longevity.

“In the common schools of Barry Co. [MO] Jerry CLARK pursued his early education and later spent one year in Berryville [Carroll Co], Ark. under the direction of Isaac A. CLARK. Subsequently, he engaged in teaching school for one year and then went to Texas, where he devoted his attention to general farming and the raising of cotton. Later, he located in Ft. Smith [Sebastion Co], Ark., where he remained for a year and in 1871 came to Jasper Co., Mo. He has since been identified with mining interests. He began mining on the Granby land and now owns one-third interest in the Maud B. mine and half interest in the Mosley mine. During the last 10 weeks of steady run the company cleared about $18,000 from the Maud B. mine.

“On 27 Nov. 1873, he married, Miss Elizabeth R. JONES who was born in Tennessee, in 1851 a daughter of William JONES. They have two children: John Thomas, who died at the age of 6 months, and Roxie May, who was born, 17 Mar. 1876. She was educated in the public schools of Webb City and also spent one year at the Pierce City Baptist College, and is now the wife of R. M. JONES, a druggist at Lawton [Comanche Co], Okla. In their religiious affiliations, Mr. CLARK and his wife are Missionary Baptists belonging to the Webb City Church of that denomination.

“They make their home in Webb City, Mo. In his political views he is a Democrat and while he always exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the party, he has never sought office, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests in which he has met creditable success. The genuine worth of his character commends him to the confidence and good will of all whom he is associated.” (“Biographical History of Jasper Co, MO,” Malcom McGregor, 1901, pp. 159-161; 332-336)