The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-12-16
Active Career Ended Suddenly
Strong Character.
From Thursdays Daily.

From Thursdays Daily.
Judge Greenleaf Clark, one of Mime
sofas best known and most respected
citizens, died at $40 o'clock last night
at Lamada park, Cal.
The news of Judge Clarke's death was
a surprise to his friends in the state,
for while it was known to many of
them that he had been ailing through
the summer and fall, few thought that
his illness was serious. He left st. Paul
for California Thanksgiving day to
spend the cold months at his winter
home in Lamanda Park.
His body will be taken directly to At
kinson Depot, New Hampshire, where it
will be inferred in the family lot
Judge Clark was under the care of a
physician most of the summer, and up
to the time he left for California. He
was being treated for stomach trouble,
the ailment being aggravated by the
persistency with which he attended to
his duties as president of the board of
regents of the state university and as
president of the State Historical So
ciety. 1t was hoped, however, that re-
moval to the milder climate of Califor-
MIA would benefit his health.
Judge Clark was one of the pioneers
of Minnesota, and during his lifetime
was one of the most prominent and in
iuential men of the state. He was known
as man of sturdy and rugged charac-
ter, gentleman of the old school, who
placed honor and integrity above every
thing else. He held important public
positions, and his administration of pub
lie affairs was always characterized by
the close attention to detail and policy
which careful men apply to their own
affairs.
At the time of his death Judge Clark
was president of the board of regents
of the state university, and president of
the State Historical society. He was APP
pointed associate Judge of the supreme
court of Minnesota in 1881 by Governor
Pillsbury, serving one year. He failed
of nomination by. the republican party,
and it is related of him that the case
of this failure was his absolute refusal
to enter into political deals of any kind.
Judge Cluark assumed the position that
judicial officer should be absolutely
free of political entanglements of all
kinds, that he should have no political
friends and no political enemies.
This advanced position was not in ac-
cord with the politicians of the day, and
as result Judge Clark failed to secure
the Endorsement of his party. He was
nominated by the democrats without so.
licitation, but he was defeated at the
election, although running ahead of the
other nominees on the ticket.
Judge Clark was public-spirited man.
He took an active interest in all matters
affecting the general welfare and his
influence was strong with the better
class of people. He was generous man,
but it was rule with him to keep his
benevolence to himself and the person
benefited 1t is related of him that he
frequently stipulated that no word
should be spoken about his gifts and of
ten his gifts were made on that condi-
| ton.
Judge Clark had no immediate family
he was never married. He leaves two
relatives in st. Paul and number in the
east. Jared How is nephew and Clark
How Edward is great nephew.