The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-28
A VANDERBILT MARRIAGE.
The Widow of Horace f. Clark Gives Her
Hand aud Fortune to an Old Family At

Hand aud Fortune to an Old Family At
tache
New York Special.
Among the death announcements in a
New York paper several months ago was one
of the death of Mrs. Robert J. Niven, who
left several children. On Tuesday the fol-
lowing appeared among the marriage notices
in newspaper of this city:
"NIvEN-CLARK-At Frankfort on-the- Main,
Dec. 6, by the Rev George William Mackenzie
York City"
Maria Louisa Vanderbilt was the fifth
daughter of Commodore Vanderbilt. She
married General Horace F. Clark, a lawyer,
at one time congressman from this State,
and at the time of his death, on June 10,
1873, president of the Lake Shore railroad.
General Clark was a member of Congress for
eight years, and at the expiration OF mis- last
term, in 1861, declined a denomination He
was ffty-eight years Of age when he died.
During the residence of the Clark family
in Washington they became acquainted with
Robert J. Niven, who was attached to one of
the departments of the government, aud who
became a member of their family and resided
i'll the same house with them in Washington
for many years. When General Clark re-
turned from Washington with his family
Mr. Niven accompanied them, and took up
his residence with them at No. 10 West
until some years ago. Both he and Mrs.
Clark left the city and took up their resi-
dence in Paris Mrs. Clark attended DIR.
Huttin's church, in West Washington Place.
for some years. She finally changed to DR..
Adams's church, now DR.. Parkhurst's in
Madison Square. A gentleman who was un-
known to most of the members OF the church
was almost universally her companion in
her visits to this place of worship, and those
who became acquainted with him learned
that he was Mr.. Niven.
Mr.. Niven prospered after his arrival in
New York, and was associated with the Van
derbilts in prominent enterprises. In one of
Trow's New York city directories his name
appears as the secretary of the New York &
Harlem railroad. Cornelius Vanderbilt was
president of the road, and Cornelius Wander
bilt, jr., treasurer 1t was known to a few
that Mr. Niven had family from which he
had been separated during the years
of his residence with the Clark
family. On General Clark's death
Cornelius Vanderbilt took charge of
the affairs of the Lake Shore railroad, which
were somewhat complicated, and of his in
terests in the Union Trust Company, and
made handsome property for the widow.
On the Commodores death Mrs Clark be-
came heir to half million, which her broth
er, William III. Vanderbilt, increased to
million,
Mrs CLARK and Mr.. Niven have lived for
several years in Paris, where Mrs Clark has
recently built magnificent residence, in one
of the finest parts of the city. Many New
Workers have met Mrs. Clark in Paris, and
have dined with her. They invariably met
Mr.. Niven at these dinners, and he was con-
sidered member OF the family. Mrs. Clark
had one daughter, who married Mr.. Collins,
the son of dry goods merchant in this city.
Mrs Collins was divorced from her husband,
and married an Englishman, from whom, it
is reported, she has since been separated. 1t
is said that Mrs. Clark and her daughter
have not been on speaking terms for several
years.
Many explanations have been given of the
cause of Mr.. Nivens first taking up his resi-
dence with the Clarks in Washington. One
was that be nursed General Clark through
sickness OF smallpox, and that tine General
took him into his family through gratitude.
Mr.. Niven is said to be lawyer by profess
sion