Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-07-02


and wealthicst, eoiored man in Iowa.
EKe was a leader and an inspiration 70
his race. and his successes serve
To aeeentnate the obstacles he
sarmonnted lie was known as "the
e0aoved orator Of the West, he had
Aaixrn high rank in the Masonic order,
III hal dabhied actively and influcn-
italy ii politics, he had risen TO posi-
tion of influence Yct the father of
tASs man WAS n slave. Alexander WAS
lA1Fm Feb. IS. 1890. IN Washington
counfy, Penn. His father was the
@sn % his master, an freshman 81
Ehe name % George DArner.
Ihe boy Alexander had few oppor-
snnlsics Tor systematic study. and at 5
III ssas working in a barber shop in
Tlueinnaii Here he attended school
Ia desulioFy way until October, 1871,
wasen be became bartender on the old
eEeamcr George Washington. But life
on the river did not suit him and IA
gsss be settled in Museatinc. then q
raw frontier town. aud opened
havhcr shop, which he conducted
nnsti isGs lie had been frugal all
ghese wears. aud 50 when ill.hcalth
memaccd him be had a little capital
sa~ea up with which TO embark In
hmUge active Ayocation. lie bought
als&2e town property. leased timber
lands. contracted 10 supply steamers
on She river with wood, speculated
Asre and thcrc when opportunity
o8crcd - earn an honest pcnny--and
~ eanc 6nally to position OF indie
pendencc bordering ON afllncncc.
u was the cxiRency 81 war. however.
wAich first called young Clark into
pronlncncc. lie enlisted In Is65 In the
First Iowa colored cavalry and received
tbs appointment Of sergeant-inAjor,b but
sTas refused muster on account 81
plsysical disability. Deferred from GO.
ism ~ the front he became one Of the
most active agents In the West IN
gathering recruits for the army.
III lsse he was appointed by the col
ofeG State convention delegate 10 the
Nmtioual Republican convention Of his
rAec ~ Washington, and by this latter
examination he was appointed chair
mnn OF the committee charged with
tbe duty ~ bringing TO the attention
of Congress the claims OF colored
soldier and sailors tn an equality with
theif whitc copatriots in the matter OF
pension and bountics. Another honor
bestowed upon him In this convention
was his appointment as member Of
chs committee To walt upon President
Grant and Vice. President colfax TO
kender TO them the congratulations OF
gaae eolored people Of the United States
upon their election.
iii SEQ he was President of the
aowa Republican convention. and from
Their on he was usually delegate aud
cosild generally be heard upon the
Anof 81 some time during the delibera-
tsoms In 1872 he was appointed by
ths Republican State convention n
aeleRate.at-large TO the Philadelphia
convention which nominated Grant and
WILSON,. Following this other political
hnnprs were at one time or another
tlarnst upon him, but his first recogni-
ttnn from the President came in 1873.
when he was appointed Consul at Aux
rayes. Hayti. He declined the position
owIng to the smallness OF the salary,
rensarking TO friends that "if he could
not live as well while an officer OF the
k#fA1O 0AtttN ut Nbultt EuInNt remain
private citizen and retain his self
reApect."
The wife of Alexander Clark was
Miss Catherine Griffin, of mixed Afri.
cana and Indian blood, to whom he was
welded at Iowa City in 1s4S, and by
Aiom he has had five children
Late In life he studied law and grad
uated from the law department. Of the
Iowa state University. In fact, the
disseminating characteristic of the
man was his indomitable determination
not 10 be thwarted In the achievement
Of any end by age. He wanted to fill
every sphere open to him--to blaze out
the way that other members of his race
coming after might find the struggle
not so hard. In this he was largely
Successful, for he will be remembered
as most upright man and citizen aud
hls example will long remain to afford
Encouragement to other self-rcliant,
ambitious member of his race.