Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-05-10
WILLIAM CLARK.
The Career of One of the Best Known
Persons in This Vicinity, Who
Died Saturday at Martins Ferry.
Owned Almost the Entire Island
at One Time--Member of Septuagen-
arian Club.

The death Of William Clark. of Mar
tins Ferry, which was mentioned in
yesterdays Register, was a great sur
prise to his many friends of that place
and vicinity. The deceased was prob
ably one of the best known men of Mar
tins Ferry, and by his sudden demise
the town loses one of its best citizens.
For some time Mr.. Clark had been
complaining of heart trouble and about
a week ago was taken to his bed from
which time he continued TO fail rapidly
until the time of his death Saturday
night at a quarter past ten o'clock.
He was born August Is, 1920, at Gate
House. in Fleet, on the southwest coast
of Scotland. When but two years of age
he came to America with his parents,
they settling at Washington, Pa. After
residing at that place for several years
they moved to Wheeling, where Mr..
Clark's father entered in upon agricul-
tural work, having almost the whole of
Wheeling Island under cultivation at
one time. In 1912 the deceased was
morried to Miss Margaret Greer Cul-
bertson. a daughter of the late Thomas
G.. Culbertson, of this city, who died
in 1870 Their union was blessed by
eight children. two of which died in
their youth. Those living are: Clara
G.. of Brooklyn, n. Y; Mary N, of
Wheeling. w. Va; Mrs. Geo. H. Smith,
of Martins Ferry; Rev. Thomas c.
Clark. of Grand Island. Neb.; Mrs. Pay
son Burnett Washington, d. c.; Mrs.
q IT Johnston of Brooklyn. n. Y.
Those who have died are Margaret B.,
and William II.
In 1875 Mr.. Clark was again married
70 Miss Anne Mansfield. a daughter of
Edward Mansfield, of Bloomfield. Har
risOn county, Ohio, who survives him.
In 1856 Mr. Clark built what was
known as the Avondale Home, just
north of Martins Ferry, which is at
present known as the Keely Institute.
This home in its time was one of the
most prominent in the Ohio Valley,
being noted for the genial disposition
and hosDitality of the owner and pro-
prietor. who. in connection with the
duties of a landlord. carried on an eX-
tensive AGRICULTURAL business. Here he
prospered and became the owner OF
large amount of land, portion of
which comprises the Fourth and Fifth
wards of Martins Ferry.
Early in the EOS he. at the head of
company. built the Ohio City Iron x
Nail Works. which is now known as the
Laugblin nail mill He was the presi-
dent OF The company, also the heaviest
stakeholder. and when the corporation
failed Mr. Clark lost all in his honest
efforts to set matters right as near as
possible. ,,..;,.
Ferry he became a member of the First
Presbyterian church, and shortly after
was made an elder in the church, which
nosition he held until the time OF his
death His ancestors were members of
the Westminster Assembly, from which
came the doctrinal standards OF the
PRESBYTERIAN church of Scotland and
America He was a member of the
Sentnagenarian club. a social organiza-
ton consisting of old men OF TINS Vlclh-
ity. -,o ,rondo,
evening at 4 o'clock from the Presby-
81 Rev 3'aV s J. Boyle. assisted by Rev
g w Cbalfant. of Pittsburg, and Rev.
7 McCarroll. of Allegheny, former
Dastors of the church, and D. A. Gun
pingbam of Wheeling, will conduct the
services. Interment private