The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-21
Kansas Pioneer aud Ex-COn-
gresham Passes Away.
End Came at His Home in Ok
lahoma City.
AN EVENTFUL LIFE
Served Three Terms in Congress
Speaker Kansas House.
Also Came Near Being Elected
United States Senator.

Oklahoma City, June 21.-Sidney
Clarke, a Kansas and Oklahoma
pioneer died Saturday night at his
home here.
For several days past Colonel
Clark has been ill of a complication
of diseases, in which his advanced
age initiated greatly against him.
During the last day or SO there was
a slight improvement and while
there was a faint hope of a turn for
the better, his weakened condition
was such that he could hold out no
longer. The end came peacefully and
quietly.
Colonel Clarke has been personal
" acquainted with every public man
in Oklahoma since the opening and
has been the friend of Kansas lead
Ing men for half a century. Many of
the national figures of the past 40
years have been numbered among his
friends and acquaintance.
Lincoln was his friend and gave
him a commission in the Union army
Later he stumped Kansas for the re-
election of Lincoln. He was the last
of the pail bearers at the burial of
the martyred president.
Col. Clarke served three terms in
congress from the Second Kansas dis
trict, his home being in Lawrence He
was also prominent candidate for
United States senator but withdrew
and Alexander H. Caldwell was elect
ed. He also served in the legislature
and was speaker of the house. He
ritory was opened to settlement and
served several terms as a delegate from
the territory in congress.
Concerning his personal acquaint-
ances with public men, Colonel Clarke
once said:
Arthur, 1 have had a personal ac-
quaintance with all the presidents since
1861. In 1866 I urged upon President
johnson the propriety of a movement
looking to the creation and establish
ment of civil government in the Indian
territory. During the administration
Of President Grant 1 frequently urged
upon him the necessity of such Iegisla-
ton and 1 pleaded with President
Cleveland to give his official sanction
to our cause"
Col Clarkes ancestors were among
the early colonial settlers and
staunch supporters of the colonial
government. He was born October 16,
1881, at Southbridge, Mass. His
grandfather was an officer in the
Revolutionary army and his father
served in the war of 1912.
At the age of Is he engaged in
mercantile pursuits at Worcester,
Mass. Later he wrote for a number
of publications and according to To-
cal history "soon earned the reputa-
ton of being a clear, concise and
forcible writer"
In 1854 he became editor and pro-
prietor of the Southbridge Press,
continuing for five years. He was an
ardent free soiler," having cast his
first vote for Hale and Julian in 1852.
In 1856 he became identified with the
Republican party, being a warm
supporter of General Fremont
When he affairs were in critical
condition in the territory of Kansas,
he came west and located at Law
renee in 1858. He soon entered
politics and became a member of the
legislature in 1861. Two years later
he was chairman of the Republican
state committee and the same year
was appointed by President Lincoln
as assistant adjutant general in the
Union army. He studied law in the
office of General "Jim' Lane, one OF
Kansas first United States senator's
and was also his private secretary.
In 1864 he was elected to con-
gress. and was reelected in 1886 and
1863. Two years afterwards he was
again a candidate for the Republican
nomination, but was defeated.
In 1870 he was a candidate for the
United States senate. but, according
to one historian. was defeated ''by
the liberal use of money! The year
1873 found him again in the Kansas
legislature, where he was elected
speaker of the lower house.
Col. Clarke was twice married. Ir
1850 he was married at Lawrence tt
Miss Henryetta Ross Two boy!
and two girls were born to them
George Lincoln, Sydney, jr, Lulu
Louisa and Ella Maria. Mrs. Clark,
died in 1873. In 1881 he was agar
married to Miss Dora Goulding O.
Topeka. One daughter, Josie, wal
born as a result of this union