North Star Township Biography
ALVIN D. CLARK
Source: BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF GRATIOT COUNTY, MICHIGAN published by J. B. BEERS & CO., Chicago, 1906
ALVIN D. CLARK, one of the most active and progressive men of Gratiot county, has attained a wide reputation in the business and political circles of North Star township. He was born November 4, 1851, in Monroe county, Michigan, son of Watson D. and Elizabeth (Tracy) Clark, natives of Pennsylvania, who died in that county leaving eight children, of whom Alvin D. was the fifth. His father was a farmer of prominence and so prosperous in his undertakings that he was enabled to pass the last years in retirement. Besides successfully managing his farming properties he filled many local offices such as township treasurer, justice of the peace and offices connected with school affairs. He died in February, 1886, at the age of seventy-two, and his wife, the mother of Alvin D., preceded him in September, 1884, aged sixty-nine years. Besides Alvin D., the other members of the family born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson D. Clark were: Lorenzo, a carpenter of North Star, Michigan; Amanda, who married Clark McKinzie, both deceased; Watson J., living in retirement in Ithaca, Michigan; Erastus, formerly postmaster, now a real estate dealer at West Branch, Michigan; Elizabeth A., Mrs. Horace Aseltyne, of Newport, Michigan; Frank, deceased; and Alwilda, wife of Charles Thorne, a farmer of Newport, Michigan.
Alvin D. Clark was reared in Monroe county, Michigan, and educated in its common schools. He clerked in a store at Newport, Monroe county, for two years, after which he engaged in the insurance business for several years. He then purchased the old homestead upon which he was born and engaged in farming until April, 1889, when he sold the farm and located in Gratiot county with his wife and two children. He settled on Section 22, North Star township, residing there three years, erecting substantial buildings, and making general improvements. In 1892 he sold his farm, engaging in a mercantile business on Front street, in company with his brother, Watson J. Clark, the firm trading under the name of Clark Brothers. This partnership continued for about three years when Alvin D. purchased his brother's interest, and engaged in business alone. In 1902 he sold his stock and retired from active work. Mr. Clark is the owner of a fine eighty-acre farm. While in the mercantile business, Mr. Clark, built, with his brother, a brick store, now occupied by Homer Snyder, which the former still owns.
Alvin D. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Adda Rowley, in Plymouth, Wayne county, October 18, 1877. Mrs. Clark is a daughter of James H. and Lois (Knapp) Rowley, and she and her husband have these children, Olga Burr, George R. and Edna Dell.
Mr. Clark was appointed postmaster of North Star in President Harrison's administration, holding the office for four years, and was again appointed in President McKinley's administration, resigning from the position in 1904. He has been notary public for twelve years, clerk for one term, and while living in Monroe county was elected township superintendent of schools, serving two terms. He has always taken an active interest in all measures that promise to be of benefit to his township or county, as well as giving his time and attention to matters religious and educational. He is a member of Heath Lodge No. 222, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Created on ... October 09, 2001