Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 538-539] A. J. CLARK, dealer in general merchandise and agricultural implements, farmer and stockman, is the pioneer business man of Quimby. Like many leading citizens of Iowa, he first saw the light in the State of Penn- sylvania. He was born in Bedford County, January 17, 1836, and is a son of ISAAC and SUSAN (LAMBERT) CLARK, natives of Pennsylvania. ISAAC CLARK was born of English Ancestors. A. J. CLARK was reared to that most independent of occupations, farming and until he was twenty-one years of age he resided under his father's roof. The spirit of enter- prise and push was strong within him, and he determined to go West so that his energies might have full play. He came as far as Galesburg, Illinois, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and bought a horse there on which he traveled to Black Hawk County, Iowa. He was married in Black Hawk County, March 17, 1859, to Miss ROSE HUN TAYLOR, a native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of JAMES and SUSAN TAYLOR. A short time after his marriage Mr. CLARK started with an ox-team for Topeka, Kansas, where his father owned a large tract of land. For two years he lived on this land, and improved it. He then returned to Lucas County, Iowa, and resided there until 1863, when he took a trip to Colorado; while there he engaged in mining and prospecting, and also did some freighting. In 1866 he returned to Black Hawk County, and made his home there until 1869, when he came to Cherokee County; he was one of the earliest settlers in Willow Township, and the first season he lived there he broke 200 acres of land. As soon as this came into market he bought eighty acres, and from year to year he has added to this small beginning until he owns 1,160 acres. Mr. CLARK has probably broken more land than any other man in the eastern part of the county; his breaking teams have often numbered from ten to fifteen yoke of oxen. He was engaged in stock-raising and feeding until he went into business in Quimby. In October, 1887, he started the first business house in the town of Quimby. His store building is 28x30 feet, with a large wareroom in the rear; it is well filled with a good stock of general merchandise, and is a credit to the proprietor. The agri- cultural implement building is a commodious structure and is well stocked with every description of farm machinery. Mr. CLARK also owns a blacksmith shop. His extensive acquaintance in the south part of the county is of such a nature that he has secured a large trade from the best class of citizens of that region. Mr. and Mrs. CLARK have four children: IDA, wife of JOSEPH MAHONEY; ISAAC, general manager of the store at Quimby; JOHN, manager of the farm, and EMMA L. Mr. CLARK is a stanch adherent to the principles of the Democratic party; he was the first postmaster of Quimby, appointed in 1888. He has held various positions of trust and responsibility, and has ever held the confidence reposed in him. Mr. CLARK'S farm is one of the best equipped in the county, having most admirable buildings and numerous improvements. The residence is a commodious structure, and he has two fine barns with about 100 feet of sheds. There is a windmill, supplying water from ten living springs, which adapt the farm admirably to the raising of live- stock. Mr. CLARK is a man who is interested not alone in personal gain, but in the growth and advancement of the surrounding country, and he has put forth many efforts on behalf of his fellow-townsmen. He is in every way worthy of the respect and honor in which he is held. ===========================================================================