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Norman P. Clark
Born October 5, 1849


Industry, energy and perseverance have characterized the efforts of Norman P. Clark during the years of his active business career, and his well directed efforts in agricultural lines are now meeting with creditable success. Born in Waterville, Lamoille county, Vermont, on the 5th of October, 1849, he is a son of Seth and Lucretia (Phillips) Clark, also natives of that state, the former being born in Johnson in 1809 and the latter in Chester in 1811. The parents lived together upon the farm where our subject was born for about forty-five years, or until the death of the mother, which occurred when she was almost seventy years of age. The father passed away at the age of seventy-five years. In their family were seven children, namely: Nancy A., the widow of N. H. Terrill; Mary Jane, the deceased wife of Z. Whiting; Helen G., who married J. Stevens and is also deceased; Lucetta, the wife of L, Page, residing in Princeton, Illinois; Norman P., of this review; Alice Isabelle Stevens, deceased; and Edwin A., of Chula, Missouri.
Spending the period of his boyhood and youth on the home farm in Vermont, Norman P. Clark acquired his education in the district schools and when not busy with his text-books assisted in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, when he entered the business world on his own account, wisely choosing as a life work the occupation to which he had been, reared. In 1878 he came west to Bureau county, Illinois, where he remained until the spring of 1880, when he removed to Leadville, Colorado. Returning to Illinois after a short stay, he remained in the latter state but one year, and then in February, 1882, came to Jones county, purchasing the farm upon which he now makes his home. It consists of two hundred acres on section 2, Cass township, and to its further development he has directed his entire energies, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation. When it came into his possession the farm was equipped with a small dwelling which has since been replaced by a comfortable and attractive residence, substantial and commodious barns and outbuildings have been erected and on the place are found all of the modern accessories and conveniences that go to make up a well improved farm of the nineteenth century. He carries on general farming and also make a specialty of breeding Duroc Jersey hogs, both branches of his business proving sources of gratifying remuneration, Industry and energy have been the salient characteristics of his business career and his labors have found their just reward in a most gratifying degree of success. As he has prospered he has purchased other property, and he now owns, aside from the homestead, sixty-five acres on section 25 and 36, Castle Grove township.
Mr. Clark laid the foundations of a happy home life in his marriage, on the 20th of June, 1894, to Miss Hattie J. Worster, who was born in Wayne township, Jones county, on the 18th of August, 1863. She is a daughter of Selim and Lucy (Ripley) Worster, the former born in Swanzey, New Hampshire, on the 26th of May, 1822, and the latter in Winchester, New Hampshire, November 20, 1825. They came to Jones county in 1853 with four of their children, the home being established in Wayne township, where they continued to reside until their death, at which time Mr. Worster owned about three hundred acres of fine farming land. He passed away on the 14th of January, 1907, while his wife survived him until the 13th of September, 1909. Their family consisted of ten children, namely: George C., of Ottosen, Iowa; John M., residing in Emporia, Kansas; Waldo A., of Fort Scott, Kansas; Alden E., making his home in Albion, Iowa; Charles, also residing in Emporia, Kansas; Mrs. Miranda S. Dunn, who lives in West Bend, Iowa; William J., also of Ottosen; Mrs. N. P. Clark; Mrs. Cora A. Walters, of Cass township; and Henry F., living in Wayne township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born four children, of whom Grace L., the eldest, passed away in infancy. The others are: Hattie May, Norman E. and Raymond J., all under the parental roof.
In his political allegiance Mr. Clark is a stalwart republican and has served as township trustee, justice of the peace, and has held other public offices. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Modern Woodmen of America, and his life record has ever been in harmony with the principles of brotherhood that form the basic elements of these organizations. His time and attention are naturally most largely given to his business interests and he has followed the occupation to which he was reared for many years. In his business career he has been straightforward and reliable and counts among his many friends all those who acknowledge and appreciate genuine personal worth.

Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 503.

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Last updated on Friday, 16-Apr-2021 16:53:23 MST