My Genealogy Hound

C. W. Clark, one of the best known citizens of Little Rock, and probably the largest brick manufacturer in Arkansas, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 28, 1848. His father, Z. W. Clark, was a native of Pennsylvania, and in early life a cooper, but in later years adopted a farmer’s life in which he was very successful. His wife was, before her marriage, a Miss Sarah A. Stout, of Ohio, who is still living and resides in Auburn, Neb., while the father died at St. Joseph, Mo., in 1878. C. W. Clark, in his young days, was known as a ‘‘hustler,” if that strong yet appropriate term may be used; in other words he was a worker, a man of untiring energy and with the brains and skill to carry out whatever he under took. During his early manhood, he drove a team across the plains eight different times, four trips being made in the dead of winter. He next entered the drug store of H. C. Lett, at Brownsville, Neb., in order to learn the business; but after eight months’ experience, his health failed him and he was forced to find some other occupation where physical labor would bring back his strength. He then engaged with Mr. C. W. Wheeler, a carpenter, and for three or four years remained at that trade, at the end of which time he went to St. Louis, where he resided for six years, and in November, 1877, moved to Little Rock to do some work for a St. Louis contractor. While here he contracted to build a house for Mr. Samuel O. Smith, and subsequently one for Mr. W. S. Davis. By this time he had concluded to locate here, and upon taking another contract to erect a house for Mr. R. W. Martin, he entered into partnership with Mr. John H. Thalman. Mr. Clark’s next work was in building the fourth story of the Arkansas Industrial University at Fayetteville, and while there first received the idea of entering into brick manufacture. After coming back to Little Rock, he purchased his present property, borrowing $500, to make the first payment, and $1,000, with which to commence operations. The business went along smoothly until June, 1880, when he secured his first large contract, which was to erect the State Lunatic Asylum at a cost of $144,440, taking 4,500,000 brick to complete this building. In the winter of 1887, two wings were added to the Asylum, and 2,000,000 more brick were used. After the building was completed, he bought out his partner’s interest, and purchased seven additional acres of ground, and has now made his business one of the great successes of the State. Mr. Clark always keeps posted on the best real-estate markets, and his investments are sure to be valuable. He owns considerable property at Birmingham, Ala., the Pittsburg of the South. He was married on January 23, 1879, to Miss Susie R. Quinn, a daughter of Dr. J. W. Quinn, one of the pioneers of this city. They are both members of the Winfield Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Clark’s brick-yard is beyond doubt one of the largest in the State. He uses the most improved patterns of machinery, and employs from fifty to seventy-five men at his establishment, and last year turned out 3,500,000 brick, and this year will probably aggregate 4,000,000 brick.