Alameda County
Biographies
HENRY CULBERTSON CLARK
Among the earlier settlers of Alameda county worthy of representation in a history of California was the late Henry Culbertson Clark, a man of industry, integrity and ability, who is held in kindly remembrance by all who knew him. Locating at Clark's Landing in 1853, he was actively identified with the development and advancement of the industrial interests of this section of the state for nearly forty years, and as a man, a neighbor, and a citizen, was held in high respect. Of sturdy New England ancestry, he was born December 26, 1831, in Miami county, Ohio, and died December 17, 1890, at his home in Melrose, Alameda county, Cal. His father, John Clark, a native of Massachusetts, removed to Ohio when a young man, and there spent his remaining years, dying in manhood's prime soon after the birth of his son Henry. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Geohagan, was born and lived, and died in Ohio the same week that her husband died.
Left an orphan in infancy, Henry C. Clark grew to manhood in his native state, obtaining a good common school education. In 1850, joining a party of eighty people, he crossed the plains with ox teams, following in the footsteps of his brother, Foster T. Clark, who had come to the Pacific coast the previous year with the gold seekers. After journeying for six long months, he arrived in California September 9th. For a short time he stopped just across the border, and then went to Sacramento, where he found his brother. Securing a position as a clerk, Mr. Clark remained in that place for two years. Coming to Alameda county in 1852, he located on the bay, at Clark's Landing, and deciding to remain here permanently he purchased fourteen acres of land, lying near Melrose, and at once began the improvement of his estate. He was subsequently engaged in farming to some extent, but for many years his principal occupation was that of freighting. In this line of industry Mr. Clark built up an extensive and lucrative business, becoming the owner of three sailing vessels and a small steamboat, in which he transported the products of the three manufacturing plants of Melrose to the San Francisco markets. Straightforward and upright in all of his dealings, he ever commanded the respect of his associates, and his death was a loss to the community in which he had so long resided.
In October, 1868, in Melrose, Cal., Mr. Clark married Joan Kimball, who was born in Rhode Island, and came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama in 1866. Her father, Maranda Kimball, a farmer by occupation, spent his entire life in Rhode Island. He served in the Civil war as a soldier, as did also seven of his brave sons, four of whom lost their lives on the field of battle. His wife, whose maiden name was Patience Arnold Randall, survived him, and is now living at the old homestead, in Johnston, R.I., having attained the venerable age of eighty-three years. Mrs. Clark still owns and occupies the home estate in Melrose, which she and her husband took so much pleasure in improving and beautifying, and in its management is meeting with good success. Politically Mr. Clark was a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party, but was never an aspirant for official honors.
Transcribed
8-29-15 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 753. The Chapman Publishing
Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Marilyn R. Pankey.
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