Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-01-29
RoRERr cHrIaropHER CLARK.

Judge Robert Christopher Clark died on
Saturday morning about 2 o'clock. at the resi-
dence Of his son-in-law, Charles McCreary, In
this city, after long illness. For mora than a
year he had suffered frcm disease Of the heart.
and early in the month of August of last
year he left the bench Of tie Superior Court
never to return. Judge Clark was born in
Winchester, KY. in 1916, bsirg in his 6Ssb
yesr at the time of his decease. He came
to California frcm Missouri in 1853, located
ia Sacramento, and at once began the prac-
tice Of law. At the session Of the Legislature
in 1878 he represented this county 10 the
! Assembly, with A, P. Catlin, J. H. Nc
Kune and L w. Ferris as colleagues. Dur.
ing Che session Of 1850 he was member OF
the State Senate. On October z, 1861, he
was elected to the office Of Comfy
Judge, succeeding Judge Robert Rob
inson in that position. At the
expiration of the term he was reelected, and
served continuously as County Judge until
the Court was abolished By the adoption OF
the new Constitution. At the first election
under the Constitution he was elected to the
petition Of Superior Judge, which he held
until the time Of his death. In politics he
was Wing OF the Henry Clay stamp, and
afterwards q Republican. His father.
James CLARK. was a prominent iurist CT
Kentucky. He represented the same district
as did Henry Clay both in the State Senate
and in Congress. filed the position of Su.
preme Judge of the State, and was elected
Governor, which position he occupied at the
time Of bis death. The son, previous TO his
removal to Missouri, was graduated at law
College in Ohio. Deceased was q member Of
Capita Lodge, Independent Order of Old
Fellow, and belonged TO Company A, Sacra-
rnento Battalion of Uniformed Patriarchs
He leaves one son AID two daughters-WD.
Clark, of San Francisco. Miss Minnie Clark
and Mrs. Chas. MeCrsary both OF Sacra-
mento The funeral will take place this af-
noon at p. N, from the residence of Chas
McCreary, Tenth and i streets.
Ga Saturday the Superior and Police
Courts adjourned out Of respect to Judge
Clsrk's memory. The Sacramento Bar Assoc
citation will meet at the Court house at 10
A. n. to-day, to take appropriate action 10 re-
gard TO his death, and make preparations to
attend the funeral.
The loss cf Judge Clark to this community
will be sincerely deplored. No man was more
widely known in this section. For more than
two decades he was honored by the people Of
Sacramento county with seat upon the
county bench, and when he sought promotion
to the higher position in the Superior Court
it was accorded WITH unsnimity that testi-
fed to the deep hold he had upon The esteem
and confidence Of the citizans. On the bench
he was prompt and dignifed, ard presided
with patience and close attention to the issues
presented. His mind was analytical, and con-
fusion of ideas never marred bis decisions.
He was not severe, and on that account
was the subject of some criticism by such as
believed that his DEGREES Of punishment
against offenders before the law should have
been less merciful. He was sound lawyer.
and the whole bent of his mind, his reason
ing and retentive powers, his insight into the
motives Of men, and his knowledge Of human
character, fitted him in an eminent degree for
the bench.
He was, from an early day, the close friend
of Sacramento, and with her he remained
during al the trials and reverses that beset
the city, though opportunities in number
offered for him to go into other fields. In
social life Judge Clark was firm friend, a
kind father and literal minded and public
spirited citizen. He did not withdraw him
self, but mingled with his fellow.men freely,
ana deeply enjoyed their society. Like I'll
men, he had peculiarities, and possibly
faults, that brought him some antagonisrn,
but not TO degree that served 20 disturb his
serenity. Or disquiet him, or to shake the con-
fidence Of the people in him.