The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-15
FARMS IN ELIZABETH.
The Land that Amos Clark. DR., Bought mp,
and thar has been Sold for TaKes.

Amos Clark. Jr., the last OF the large prop
erty owners OF Elizabeth. n. j.. who has been In
straitened circumstances for q number Of
years. has Just failed. suits being entered
against him by his father. and proceedings In
foreclosure having been taken against him by
one Of the large corporations who have several
mortgages on his property. interest on which
has not been paid for some time. His property
was sold by the city for taxes more than a year
ago. but tho right Of redemption exists 30 that
the purchasers OF the property ut the fore
closure sale have simply to pay the city's claim
for taxes and interest and the caso stands as
though no sale had been made to the city.
Amos Clark. Jr.. was brought up in Elizabeth
where he worked on farm and sold milk. rs
other farm boys do He learned the tailor's
trade. and went to New York. where his indus
try was rewarded by his becoming n partner In
the firm OF Traphaeen. Hunter a Clark in
Fourth avenue. AT the beginning OF the war he
had the sagacity To see that peace could not be
conquered in ninety days. and he engaged the
The hanuels advanced in price. and he made
large fortune in that one article He had army
contracts for clothing. and before the war was
Fourth avenue and DEVOTED his time 70 pur-
chasing pr9ber,y IN Elizabeth, i His broker
Broad street uhe business street OF Eliza
BETH was purchased quietly for Mr.. Clark.
the business street all would have been we'll
for even now the stores in Elizabeth are occu-
pied. Mr.. Clark went into the country. and
purchased farms. paying Tor them, ns for
the Broad street stores, small amount OF cas- h,
and assuming payment for any claims against
them. and giving hrs bond and mortgage for the
balance. He bought farms nj $500 or $500 per
acre which are now only worth the hundred dol
lars per acre Of farming lands. Taxes in Eliza
beth became heavy but heavier yet was Mr.
Clark's interest account The farms were heav-
lily mortRaged and they could NOT be sold at any
price. and hardly could they be rented for more
than enough to pay the taxes.
Mr. Clark struggled on hravely, hoping that
the tide would turn. and Union County. \. j.;
Surrey or Kent 10 to London. But the residents
of Fifth avenue persisted in remaining these
instead OF going 10 dwell on = Galloping Hill. !"
or in 81. Georges avenue" or under the lin
dcns OF Linden. and 30 there Is no demand for
Mr. Clarks farms.
Mr., Clark. being large property owner in
Elizabeth. was elected 10 the City Council for one
term. He served also in the Assembly and in
the Senate 81 the Staie. and for one term in
he frequently did, for Corbin, his brother-in-
law. lived there, he was the guest Of Amos
Clark Jr. In addition 10 his duties in the State
Legislature and Congress. Mr. Clark found time
70 organize the First National Bank OF Eliza
beth which has pruspered. Within a month he
resigned the Presidency OF the bank.
Tho Broad street property Will row revert TO
the original owners, II they yet hold mortgages
against il. or IT Will find purchasers who will
pay interest and taxes promptly. Instead OF
dealing with one individual. the city will be
dealing with perhaps forty or hlty persons.
Mr.. Clark has run the politics Of the city and
county for a long time; not that he carried " the
borough in his pocket. for at tie late election
for Congress he was beaten by Miles Ross. al
though the district in normal state OF affairs
ia Hepulllcau.