Ventura
County
Biographies
ROBERT EMMETT CLARK
A public officer of high standing,
Robert Emmett Clark is making an enviable record as sheriff of Ventura County,
in which capacity he has served for ten years.
He was born in Fairplay, Grant County,
Wisconsin, August 25, 1876, a son of Michael Hugh and Margaret (Lynch) Clark,
who were married in that state. In 1879
the father journeyed to California and as soon as he had prepared a suitable
habitation sent for his family, who joined him in Ojai, Ventura County, in
March, 1881. While developing his ranch
Michael H. Clark worked as a teamster and continued to follow those occupations
until his death in 1902. His widow
survived him for fifteen years, passing away in 1917.
After mastering the branches of
learning taught in the public schools of Ojai, Robert E. Clark aided his father
in the operation of the home place and later drove a stage coach. In 1905 he gave up that line of work to enter
the forestry department of the federal government and devoted eight years to
service of that nature. In 1913 he
became a cattle raiser, leasing the Sturgis ranch for that purpose, and
afterward operated the Waterhouse ranch.
Misfortune overtook him and he lost all of his stock. Subsequently, in association with Ed Canet, he reentered the cattle business but at the end of
four years was again deprived of his possessions and was obliged to discontinue
riding the range because of a physical injury which he had sustained. On a non-partisan ticket he was elected
sheriff of Ventura County in 1922 and took office in 1923. He has served continuously to the present
time, his repeated reelections testifying to his promptness, fearlessness and
efficiency in the apprehension of violators of the law in his county. His office is in the court house at Ventura
but he retains his home in Ojai.
On August 23, 1905, in the San
Gabriel Mission, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Alice Burnett, of Missouri, a
cousin of Lieutenant Colonel Newton Morris and a descendant of General Robert
E. Lee. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born
five sons and five daughters: Robert
Emmett, Jr., who became a cadet at the United States Naval Academy of Annapolis,
Maryland, and is now a student at the University of California; William P., who
was chosen president of his class while a pupil at the Ventura high school, is
now employed in his father’s office, and has a wife and one son; James Edward,
an alumnus of Stanford University and a petroleum engineer; George Patrick and
Alice, deceased; Chester, a student at Villanova College, a Pennsylvania
institution of learning; Mary Margaret; Betty Ann; Clair and Patricia, twins,
the latter now deceased. The sons are
stalwart young men, well over six feet in height, and have displayed prowess in
athletic sports. William P. was one of
the star players who made St. Mary’s famous football squad, James Edward aided
the Stanford football team in winning many victories, and Chester is a valuable
asset to the Villanova football squad.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark take justifiable
pride in their children, who are a credit to the upbringing of their parents,
whose kindness of heart prompted them to take into their home, already occupied
by a large family, four or five boys and help them through college. Fraternally Mr. Clark is identified with the
Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has a wide acquaintance in Ventura County,
for he has lived within its borders from the age of about five years, and his
personal qualities are such as command respect and inspire strong and enduring
regard.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. III, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 309-310, Clarke Publ.,
Chicago, Los Angeles,
Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN
NUGGET'S VENTURA
BIOGRAPIES