Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 1089 - 1090

MARTIN R. CLARK, one of the leading capitalists of Wichita, and essentially a self-made man, has accumulated a fortune by the exercise of his own industry and economy. His real estate alone includes thirty-five buildings in the city, which at the present prices are worth $400,000. These are all occupied by first-class tenants, and yield to their owner a handsome income. Mr. Clark came to Kansas with less than $100 in his pocket, and from that modest beginning has accumulated his present property.

     Our subject comes of excellent old Pennsylvania stock, and was born in Warren County, that State, on the 3d of March, 1834. His parents, John and Susannah Clark, also natives of the Keystone State, were of substantial English ancestry, and the father a farmer by occupation. The latter spent his entire life in his native State, and rested from his earthly labors in the spring of 1862. The mother, who was a most excellent and worthy woman, was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and preceded her husband to the silent land, her death taking place at the homestead in Warren County, Pa., in 1847. The eight children of the parental household were named respectively: Betsy, Christina, Mary A., Samuel, John, David, Voris and Martin.

     Martin R., of our sketch, was the youngest member of the family, and spent his boyhood and youth after the manner of farmers' sons, learning to plow, sow and reap. He was married in Warren County, Pa., July 22, 1854, to Mary Jane Smith. She was the daughter of Richard and Susannah Smith. After his marriage Mr. Clark settled on a farm in Warren County, and in the winter time operated in the lumber business.

     Mrs. Clark, like her husband, acquired her education in the common school, and early in life was taught those habits of industry and economy which fitted her to become the wife of such a man as our subject. Their union was blessed by the birth of three sons and two daughters, namely: John, Charles, Lewis, Celestia and Ida. The eldest daughter is the wife of Charles Cordario, and they are living in Dakota, in the Black Hills country; Ida is the wife of Jerome Hahn, and the mother of one child; they are residents of Wichita. Mrs. Clark died on the farm in Grant Township, Sedgwick Co., Kan., Jan. 8, 1875.

     Mr. Clark remained a resident of his native State until 1870, in the meantime employing himself in farming pursuits. Upon his arrival in Kansas he homesteaded a tract of land in the northern part of this county, east of Valley Center, in Grant Township, upon which he operated four years, and in the fall of 1874 abandoned agriculture and embarked in the real-estate business in Wichita. It is hardly necessary to say that he displayed remarkably good judgment in his investments, and his career has been more than ordinarily successful.

     Mr. Clark was married after coming to this county to his second wife, his bride being Mrs. Hattie S. (Huffman) Keckly, and the date of their wedding Feb. 15, 1876. Mrs. Clark was born in Frederick County, Va., April 27, 1834, and is the daughter of William and Rachel (Booker) Huffman, who were also natives of the Old Dominion. Her father was a farmer by occupation and a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died in 1874; the mother passed away previous to the decease of her husband, in 1872. Their six children were named respectively: Alex, James, Margaret, Mary, Hattie and Jane. Mrs. Clark, the present wife of our subject, had by her first husband, Mr. Keckly, one son, Clinton; he is now residing in Virginia.

     Soon after the outbreak of the Rebellion Mr. Clark enlisted as a Union soldier in Company I, 83d Pennsylvania Infantry, and participated in many of the important battles of the war. He was in the seven-days battle in front of Richmond, where his leg was broken by a minie ball, and he lay three days and two nights on the battle-field in fearful suffering. He was then captured by the rebels, and confined in Libby Prison three months, when his exchange was effected; after a brief stay at Fortress Monroe he was honorably discharged and sent home. Upon his recovery he pluckily re-enlisted in the same regiment, in which he was permitted to serve unharmed until the close of the war. After following the rebel General, Lee, in the seven-days chase, he had the satisfaction of witnessing his surrender to Gen. Grant. He declares this was one of the finest sights that was ever presented to his eyes. They continued about seven days around Appomattox, then repaired to Washington, where our hero was present at the grand review, and soon afterward received his final and honorable discharge, in July, 1865.

     Mr. Clark was reared in the doctrines of the Methodist Church, but although he holds the memory of his father in the deepest respect and reverence, he has not seen fit to identify himself with any religious organization. It is hardly necessary to any that in politics he is a Republican "dyed in the wool."

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