The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-04-05

ten years young James ran wild. In
1865 his father was in the state senate
from the Gruudy county district, and
James and his brother Richard, who was
two years older, and had just returned
from the war, were left TO take care Of
the farm. But to young man who was
about to attain his majority, whose
association with his father and his early
work i'm newspaper Office had given
him some idea Of tho world. this lifc was
too monotonous. His fathers farm was
too small for him, and he hailed with
delight an opportunity Of buying an in
terost in a small paper in Eldorado, Ia,
which at this time presented itself. His
father, always cool and level headed, OBJ
iected 20 this scheme Of his sons. He
pointed ont 10 James the disadvantage
Of starting out in too small a town, and
advised him 10 seek a larger field. James
followed his fathers advice. At this
time Des Moines, the capital of Iowa,
was young and undcyelOped city, bat
James evidently saw in IL promise OF
future greatness, OF else the inpatienc9
Of youth led him to accept a position
there rather than wait for better opDor-
tunity IN still larger city Subsequent
events have proved that he was right in
his choice, but it would DO erroneous to
attribute 10 tho country youth the pro
phetc judgment which enabled him TO
mount so high on the ladder Of success.
Suffice il 20 say that an opportunity pre-.
sented Itself at q time that he was filed
with a youths ambition, that he seized
the opportunity and that he aftorward
proved that he was fully capable Of max.
ing the most Of it. Young Clarkson en-
tered the Office of The Des Moinos Regis.
ter as a printers devil In short time
he was foreman of the news room, then
telegraph editor, then city editor, then
political editor, and finally, in 1870, he
bought out the paper with the aid of his
father and became editor in chief. The
paper was bought for $50, 900, and in
order to make the first payment Of $1,000
Clarksons father mortgaged his farm.
This rapid rise from printers devil 20
editor in chief was made on tlie owe Of
rho glorious day which had dawned upon
iowa. Nh Clalkson took the paper un-
der peculiarly favorable circumstances.
There was a boom under way for Dcs
Moines The state railroads, like small
streams that seek common outlet, be-
gan 90 make their way toward IOWa's
capital. in ten years from the time lac
first took the paper M Clarkson, with
the assistance of his brother and his
father. bad not only cleared it from debt,
but had laid the foundation of fortune.
In 1871 Mr.. Clarkson was offered the
Swiss mission by President Grant, but
he declined. In 1872 he was appointed
postmaster at Des Moincs. lie held the 1
Office until 1877, when he resigned. He |
headed tho Iowa delegation at the Re |
publican national conventions Of 1876 /
1880 and 1894.
AT the last convention at Chicago, in /
1855, after the withdrawal of AllisOn's I
name, he turned with his state 10 Hani /
son. He was made vice chairman Of fhC /
Republican national committee, and /
passed the whole campaign al the Re I
publican headquarters in New York. /
Mr.. Clarkson has never sought for Office. /
He once declined the appointment Of con
sul general to London he declined TO have
his name mentioned for place in Presi
dent Gqr6eld's cabinet, and it IS com
monty reported that he has accepted hi.
present appointment only at the earnest
Of Postmaster General Wana
maker and President Harrison. He vii
have under his charge all the postoiiices
Of every grade, and it is understood tha!
the railroad mail service viii be placed
in his hands.
Mr.. Clarkson has fine residence iD
Des Moincs He is very domestic in hi
habits, and when he is home he rarely
goes out in society. He 5 quiet and I'M
in lis manner.