The Kevin review., 1927-10-06

In the passing of J. Ross Clark, who
died in Los Angeles recently, Montana
lost one Of its pioneers and one whose
| life was closely interviewer with the
development of the West.
j. Ross Clark brother OF Senator w. A.
Clark and Of Joe K. Clark, was the last Of
three brothers whose activities in this
state are part Of Montana's history. He
was born in Connelsville, Pa, in 1850.
| j. Ross Clark came to Montana in the
fall of 1871, and in November of that
| year he went to Deer Lodge, where he
spent about six weeks visiting his
brother, w. A. Clark, and his wife. Later,
he and his brother Joseph had mail
contract between MissOuIa and Walla
Walla, and he spent three years in the
western part of the state.
]. Ross Clark used to delight in telling
that the first position he had was that Of
bookkeeper for his brother, w. A. Clark,
in 1876, at the old Dexter mill, the first
in Butte. A year later the latter opened
the bank in Butte, and j. Ross Clark be-
came its bookkeeper, and he had since
been associated with the bank.
Active in Civic Work
j. Ross Clark was an active citizen
during his years in Butte. The village
1881, when charter was obtained and
a full staff Of executive Officers and
aldermen was chosen. j. Ross Clark
was elected q member OF the first board
of aldermen Elections were held annu-
ally in the beginning. He was not 8
candidate in 1882 but in the year follow
ing he was again elected member Of
the council
Mr.. Clark was valued member OF q
number of Butte organizations, among
them the Silver Bow club. Of which he
was president for two terms.
In addition to his banking interests,
Mr.. Clark was active in mining and
other enterprises. He was married in 1878
to Miss Miriam A. Evans OF Butte. q
sister Of Mrs. Marcus Daily, Mrs James
Shields, Mrs. Joseph Lewis and Miss
Martha Evans.
Mr.. Clark removed to Los Angeles in
1892 and made that city his home until
his death, but he continued to retain his
business interests in Montana. He dis
posed Of his stock in the Clark bank in
Butte to the heirs Of his brother only q
short time ago.
visited Three Years Ago
His last visit to Montana was made
three years ago when he was "a years
Of age. He spent month in this state
on that occasion, during which, time he
visited at the home of his sister-in-law
on the DAILY ranch, in the Hamilton
district.
IN addition to his Montana interests
Mr. Clark was associated with his brother
in the building of the Salt Lake, Los An
geles and San Pedro railway, of which
be was member of the board OF di-
ICOJOlD d440 a VIC pACo40C41Iy dt40 IL
The development of the Los Angeles street
railway system. He was also an investor
IN sugar refining plants in the southwest.
Mr.. Clark is survived by his widow and
grand son, j. Ross Clark III. in addition
to his nephews and nieces. sons Of his
brother, Senator w. A. Clark, and his
and grandnieces.
His brother, Joe K. Clark, who financed
she purchase Of the famous Flathead
buffalo herd and thus assisted mate
tally in the preservation of this noble
Montana animal, died in Portland 20
Vears ago.
Mr.. Clark's son. Walter. lost his life on
he Titanic when that ill-fated ship
ahmed an iceberg and sank on ite q
maiden voyage. April IA, 1912. His daugh-
er, Ella Clark Lee, died in Los Angeles
bout four years ago.
Mr.. Clark was member, at the time
# his death, of the Silver Bow club Of
BUTTE, the California, Jonathan and ST.
IRA Madre clubs of Los Angeles, and the
Bohemian club OF San Francisco. The
uneral was held in Los Angeles.