Samuel Clarke

SAMUEL CLARKE. - In November, 1910, Samuel Clarke was elected to the office of county commissioner of Wyandotte county, Kansas, and in discharging the duties connected with his office he is acquitting himself with all of honor and distinction. In 1906 he was elected a member of the city council and so effective were his services in that connection that he was re-elected to that office in 1908. He is now living virtually retired from active participation in business affairs and is devoting his entire time and attention to his official position.

Samuel Clarke was born in county Down, Ireland, on the 24th of September, 1861, and he is a son of Samuel and Agnes (McDowell) Clarke, both of whom were born and reared in county Down, Ireland. The mother was summoned to the life eternal in 1861, at the age of sixty years, but the father is still living at the old homestead in Ireland. They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, three of whom are living, namely: Samuel, the immediate subject of this review, William; and Agnes. Samuel Clarke, Sr., devoted the greater part of his active career to the boot and shoe business in his native land but he has lived retired since 1890. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church in his religious faith.

To the public schools of county Down, Ireland, Mr. Clarke, of this notice, is indebted for his preliminary educational training. He remained at home attending school and assisting his father in the latter's store until he had reached the age of twenty years, when he decided to seek his fortunes in the new world. Accordingly he embarked on the steam ship "City of Rome" and was one of her passengers on her maiden trip to the United States. He landed in New York city, where he remained for a short period and whence he later journeyed to Kansas City, Missouri. Immediately after his arrival in that place he entered the employ of the Fowler Packing Company, thoroughly familiarizing himself with the various details connected with the packing business. He had charge of the rendering department of this concern for a period of nine years, at the expiration of which he was made superintendent of the rendering and lard department, retaining that position for the ensuing ten years and finally retiring from business life in 1901.

He is ever on the alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with all measures and enterprises advanced for the good of the general welfare. In April, 1906, he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to membership in the city council of Kansas City, serving in that capacity until 1908, at which time he was re-elected as his own successor. During his incumbency of the above position he exerted a powerful influence among his colleagues for the furtherance of all matters connected with the well being of the city. In November, 1910, he made the race for and was elected county commissioner of Wyandotte county. While he has but recently assumed the responsibilities connected with this office, he has taken hold of affairs with a firm hand and his regime promises to be a vigilant one. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with Kaw Lodge, No. 272, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, with Caswell Consistory, No. 5, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in which he has attained to the thirty-second degree; and with Abdallah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Lawrence, Kansas. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

In August, 1891, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Clarke to Miss Catherine Grinrood, who was born and reared in Kansas City, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke are devout members of the Presbyterian church in their religious belief and they are highly esteemed by all with whom they have come in contact.

Mr. Clarke is a man of broad information and deep human sympathy, one who extends his friendship and aid to all in distress or in need of help. He is a great lover of home, preferring the quiet and cheer of his home fireside to the excitement of club life and the mad whirl of political strife. In all the avenues of life he has so conducted himself that his entire career is without blemish and commands the highest regard of his fellow citizens.