This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/0dB.2ACI/388.743.1.1 Message Board Post: James Clark Obituary: Posted By: Jim Walton <[email protected]> Date: April 13 2002 The Derrick May 27, 1925 JAMES R. CLARK DIES SUDDENLY HERE TUESDAY Pioneer Oil Man and Liveryman Succumbs to Stroke of Apoplexy James Ralph Clark, aged 73 years, a pioneer resident of Oil City, died at the family home, 107 East 2nd St., at 4:45 o’clock Tuesday morning May 26, 1925. He had been in good health until Saturday when he suffered a stroke from which he never recovered. The deceased had conducted a livery stable on State St. for may years and enjoyed a wide circle of friends in Oil City and vicinity. He was a native of Clarion County, being born at Keatings Furnace in Richland Township on February 29, 1852, and was of Scotch-Irish and German extraction. His late parents were Thomas C. and Leah Boyer Clark. He was educated in the public schools and at an early age began work in the oil fields, where he was employed for over 25 years. As early as 1864 he towed boats on Oil Creek from Oil City to Tower Farm, Petroleum Center, and about that time was also helping his father with teaming, doing similar work for others when the occasion required. In the spring of that year he went to work at the Clapp Farm, where he continued to do teaming for 10 years. In those days the fine bridges over the Allegheny River, which now make travel easy, were not thought of, and he crossed the river many times on the ice at fords or at specially constructed pontoon bridges. For eight years he was in the oil district about St. Petersburg, Clarion County, and was in Butler County at three differe! nt times. He was at Argyle, Thorn Creek and Karns City during the oil excitement there; for four years at Rock City, Cattaraugus County, NY; at Gusher, a new oil city in Warren County for four years and at Cogley, Clarion County, during the excitement there. He spent a year at Thorn Creek, Butler County, where a 9,000 bbl. gusher was discovered. Having decided to give up the teaming business, Mr. Clark established himself in the livery business at Salina, this county, where he remained for four years, coming to Oil City in 1891, where a larger field for his business appeared. Here he and his brother, Samuel Francis Clark, became associated as Clark Brothers, entering the livery business on the South side. The Clark Brothers livery has been an institution in the city for the past 34 years. Samuel Clark, the senior member of the firm, died 18 years ago, but following his death James Clark continued the business in conjunction with his brother’s widow, Elizabeth, who still survives, under the firm name of Clark Brothers. He gave close personal attention to all details pertaining to the business, but found time to take an active part in the affairs of the community, though not as a public official. About 20 years ago he was a candidate for representative in the state legislature on the prohibition ticket. He was! a prominent member of the Grace Methodist Church and had served as a member of the official board of the church for over 15 years. In fraternal circles he was a member of Latonia Lodge No. 1018, I. O. O. F. of this city and the K. O. T. M. of Seneca. Mr. Clark is survived by the following children: Mrs. Opal G. Burgwin, Knox; Mrs. Beulah L. Perry, Painesville, OH; Clyde C. Clark, Oil City; Eugene V. Clark, Syracuse, NY and Howard Lee Clark, Chicago, IL. His wife, Martha Moore Jones Clark, died February 1, 1925. Services in his memory will be conducted at the family home at 2:30 o’clock Thursday afternoon. Rev. W.W. Robinson, pastor of the Grace Methodist Church, will be in charge together with Latonia Lodge No. 1018, I. O. O. F. Interment will be made in Grove Hill Cemetery. Descendants of James Ralph CLARK 1 James Ralph CLARK b: February 29, 1852 in Keatings Furnace, Clarion Co., PA d: May 25, 1925 in Oil City, Venango Co., PA Burial: Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City, Venango Co., PA . +Emma Sarah BERLIN b: September 1854 m: July 09, 1874 d: Abt. 1885 Burial: Churchville, Clarion Co., PA .... 2 Minnie Mable CLARK b: January 31, 1875 in Rock City, NY d: March 10, 1917 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., PA Burial: Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City, Venango Co., PA ........ +Arthur Marsden ROSS b: May 18, 1875 in North Washington, Butler Co., PA m: November 16, 1899 in Turkey City, PA d: August 11, 1944 in Erie, Erie Co., PA Burial: Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City, Venango Co., PA .... 2 Mertes C. CLARK b: 1876 d: 1878 .... 2 Clyde Clarence CLARK b: December 21, 1878 in PA d: July 18, 1956 in Oil City, Venango Co., PA Burial: Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City, Venango Co., PA ........ +Mary O. GORDON b: Abt. 1882 m: 1903 .... 2 Opal Grace CLARK b: September 17, 1880 in Richland Twp., Clarion Co., PA d: July 17, 1928 Burial: Knox Union Cemetery, Knox, Clarion Co., PA ........ +Frank Edward BURGUIN b: June 07, 1876 in Knox, Clarion Co., PA m: December 02, 1897 d: October 12, 1961 Burial: Knox Union Cemetery, Knox, Clarion Co., PA *2nd Wife of James Ralph CLARK: . +Sarah GILBERT b: December 10, 1853 in Blairs Corners, Clarion Co., PA m: 1886 in PA d: March 24, 1909 in PA .... 2 Earl F. CLARK b: October 29, 1886 d: October 28, 1888 .... 2 Beulah L. CLARK b: February 1888 in PA ........ +Fred B. PERRY b: October 13, 1889 in Indiana m: May 29, 1912 in Franklin, Venango Co., PA d: April 1970 in Leipsic, Putnam Co., OH .... 2 Eugene V. CLARK b: September 1891 in PA .... 2 Howard Lee CLARK b: November 16, 1894 in Oil City, Venango Co., PA d: April 27, 1932 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL Burial: Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City, Venango Co., PA *3rd Wife of James Ralph CLARK: . +Martha Moore JONES b: August 02, 1871 in Tyler Co., WV m: Abt. 1910 d: February 01, 1925 in Oil City, Venango Co., PA Burial: Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City, Venango Co., PA .... 2 Bernard JONES b: November 22, 1889