T. R. Clark

T. R. CLARK, foreman of car repairers for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company, at Parsons, Kansas, began railroading in early life, and is a mechanic of no mean ability. Mr. Clark was born in Gentry county, Missouri, March 6, 1858, and is a son of J. M. and S. E. (Boggs) Clark. His father was a native of Tennessee, and was a miller by trade; he departed this life in 1859. His mother, who is now Mrs. Cochran, is a resident of Cedar county, Missouri. A. J. Clark, the only brother of T. R., follows the same line of business as the latter, and he has spent many years in the employ of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company, whose lines are included in the Union Pacific Railroad system.

Mr. Clark was reared in his native state, and attended school until he attained the age of eighteen years. After leaving school, he worked as clerk in a store for some time, previous to entering upon a railroad career. July 4, 1877, Mr. Clark left Missouri for Parsons, Kansas, where his uncle, J. W. Boggs, had a position waiting for him in the car shops, and there the subject of this sketch commenced at the bottom of the ladder. He first worked as a car cleaner; there were at that time from eight to ten men employed in the car repairing department, - in striking contrast to the 28 now required to perform the necessary work. Mr. Boggs, who was himself in charge of the repairing department, and was the first repairer in Parsons, died in Portland, Oregon, in 1898.

After some time, Mr. Clark was advanced to do car repairing, and on October 7, 1887, he was still further promoted to be foreman of the repairing department, succeeding Mr. Eubank, - this position he maintains to the present day. He superintends all necessary repairs, having 12 expert machinists, as repairers. He has able assistance in the services of A. Falconer, foreman of the wrecking crew. He has a thorough knowledge of the requirements of his position, which he has filled in such an eminently satisfactory manner, and his success goes to show his superior executive ability. His wide knowledge of railroad affairs enables him to carry on all necessary work with a nicety excelled by few.

In 1885 Mr. Clark was joined in wedlock with Allie M. Wanless, an only child of J. A. and Theodosia E. Wanless, of Leavenworth, Kansas, where Mrs. Clark's birth occurred, May 23, 1864. Her father died when she was but three years old. He was a graduate of West Point, was a captain in the regular army, and traveled much over the western country. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark, namely: Grace T., Allie B., Thomas A., Helen E., and Orville Paul. They have a comfortable home at No. 605 South Twenty-first street, to which they have added many improvements and conveniences. Fraternally, Mr. Clark is a member of the A. F. & A. M. lodge at Parsons, having been made a Mason as soon as he reached his majority. He also affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his wife is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security. Both unite in religious views and attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Realizing that intemperance is the greatest evil of mankind, Mr. Clark is a thorough Prohibitionist and uses his influence and best efforts in furthering the interests of that party in his locality. No one in Parsons is more highly respected and esteemed, and every whit of this respect is fully deserved.