San
Joaquin County
Biographies
ASA MOUNTJOY CLARK
One of the most progressive and able
businessmen of Stockton is Asa Mountjoy
Clark, the efficient manager of that well known institution, Clark’s
Sanitorium. He was born in Stockton on
May 20, 1890, a son of Fred Pope and Edith (Cross) Clark. His father, Dr. Fred Pope Clark, is also a
native of Stockton, born August 25, 1865, and is the son of Dr. Asa Clark, the
founder of Clark’s Sanitorium in 1871; after attendance at high school he
entered Cooper Medical College at San Francisco, where he was graduated in
1887. For the following two years he was
engaged in practice in Angels Camp, Calaveras County, and then came to Stockton,
where he has remained ever since. In
1889 Dr. Clark was married to Miss Edith Cross, a daughter of Dr. L. E. Cross,
of Stockton, and they have two children, Asa, the subject of this sketch, and
Lester, the secretary of Clark’s Sanitorium.
Dr. Clark is affiliated with the Masonic Order, the Elks, the Native
Sons of the Golden West, and the Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a
staunch Republican.
Located in the center of a health
appearing and inviting park, just at the edge of the city of Stockton, amid
surroundings where nature combines with professional care to restore normal
conditions to people suffering from mental ailments, Clark’s Sanitorium
presents many interesting features. The
main buildings are surrounded by a park of stately trees, well-kept lawns and
flower beds, while the atmosphere is restful.
It is an institution especially adapted for those suffering from
overwork and business worries that affect the mind and body, many coming here
from other sections because of the inviting conditions, care and
treatment. The main building is a large,
roomy, two-story structure, comfortable and homey in furnishings and
appointments.
At the institution everything is
electrical, the equipment in each instance being the most modern. Electrical cabinets, massage, baths, showers
and sprays, with electric attachments; X-ray massage, electrotherapeutic
appliances, and other innovations are always ready for use. Hydro-therapeutic treatment is another
feature here. In this department neutral
and cooling sheet packs, fan baths, Hammam baths,
sprays and showers, cold towel rubs, mitten, ice and alcohol rubs, are
specialties.
The sanitorium
is conducted under the personal management of Asa M. and Lester L. Clark, sons
of the Fred P. Clark, owner of the institution.
The medical department is under the able
supervision of Dr. Fred P. Clark of the State Hospital, who has an able medical
staff specially trained in nerve disorders.
Dr. Clark consults and advises with the doctors regarding special cases
as occasion arises. There has recently
been established a Clark’s Sanatorium service in the principal interior cities
of the state. In cases coming to the
attention of the local physician if local treatment can be administered it is
so done, but if institutional treatment is advised the case is then sent to
their Sanatorium at Stockton. This new
feature has been found very satisfactory, particularly when patients return to
their homes they have follow up treatment under the direction of the institution
by experienced physicians.
In 1912, Asa M. Clark, helped to
organize Battery C, California Field Artillery, and was sent to the Mexican
border; later when the Mexican trouble arose he became attached to Battery B
Sixth Regulars for border duty, Intelligence Service. Mr. Clark was married in June, 1916, to Miss
Myrtle Stevens of Stockton and they have one child, Asa M., Jr. In fraternal life Mr. Clark is affiliated
with San Joaquin Lodge 19 F. & A. M., is also a 32nd degree
Scottish Rite Mason; locally he is a member of the Anteros and Rotary Clubs of
Stockton, and of the American Legion.
Leslie L. Clark is a graduate of
Stanford University class of ’16; he served in the 32nd Field
Artillery in the World War, being stationed principally at Camp Zachariah
Taylor, Kentucky, being discharged November 16, 1918, and since his return is
giving his undivided attention to the success of Clark’s Sanatorium. He was married in Stockton in 1920 to Miss Genevieve
Wyllie, a native of Calaveras County, and they have one child, Eleanor.
Dr. Asa Clark in the early days at
Placerville had a large practice throughout the Sierra region, travelling
through the mountains riding horseback with his saddle
bags. Clark’s Fork of the Stanislaus
River was named for him. He did not
hesitate to give medical aid to the Indians with his usual success and in their
appreciation they named him “The Medicine Man.”
Dr. Clark was a man of strong
physique and great energy, an inveterate worker and was never idle. In the period of his life he saw great
progress in science, not only in medicine, for he was in New York City and saw
the first administration of chloroform, but in mechanical inventions, as he
remarked: “I saw the first locomotive,
first bicycle, first automobile and have lived to see the aeroplane a
reality.” Few men live to such an
age. This interesting pioneer and
philanthropist passed to the great beyond at his home in Stockton, January 20,
1912, almost eighty-eight years of age.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
647. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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