Weld County, History of Colorado, BIOS: CLARK, Edgar Emerson (published 1918) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643 December 2, 1999 *********************************************************************** "History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 432, 434 photo p. 433 EDGAR EMERSON CLARK. There has perhaps been no man in Greeley who has figured prominently in public life and has been so uniformly respected as Edgar Emerson Clark, now deceased. People might have opposed him politically and held views at utter variance with his, but they never doubted his integrity or ceased to respect him for his fidelity to what he believed to be right. In fact, all who knew him spoke of him in terms of warm regard, and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret when he was called to the home beyond. He was born in Baraboo, Sauk county, Wisconsin, August 3, 1851, and there attended school, remaining under the parental roof In Baraboo until 1867, when he .removed with his parents and his brother, J. Max Clark, to Tennessee. He afterward left that state and went to Minnesota, where he was residing at the time the Union Colony was organized. His parents joined that colony in 1870 and In 1871 Mr. Clark joined them In Greeley, Colorado, thereafter remaining a resident of this state. In July, 1877, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Adele Knowles and a few years later a son was born to them, named Frederick W., who practiced law in Trinidad, Colorado, for about fifteen years and then returned to his old home in Greeley, where for the past year he has practiced his profession, although at a very recent date he has joined the army. Mr. Clark of this review was of a most energetic and enterprising disposition and was always ready for any active work that seemed to call upon him for aid. He was thus led to join his fortunes with the late N. C. Meeker at the White River Indian agency and by reason of a visit to his old home in Greeley he was absent from the agency at the time of the massacre in 1879. Mr. Clark also acted as foreman or superintendent in various heavy ditch enterprises In northern Colorado, notably the Upper and Lower Platte and Beaver construction, in which he was interested. He was also one of the builders of the Ogilvy ditch immediately below Greeley and the irrigation project of the Posthorse & Cattle Company of Wyoming. After the completion of these enterprises he removed to Eddy, New Mexico, where he superintended the construction of canals and reservoirs at that point, returning to Greeley after two years of activity there. In the fall of 1893 Mr. Clark was a candidate for the office of sheriff on the populist ticket and was elected by a small plurality. After two years of service in that office he was again a candidate and once more was elected in the fall of 1895. Two years later he was elected for a third time, a fact which indicates most clearly his capability, his fidelity to duty and the confidence reposed in him. He was ever prompt and fearless and was one of the best officers who has ever served Weld county in that capacity. In fact his service as sheriff ranked him with the most competent men in that office in all Colorado. He was ever vigilant and efficient, prompt and fearless in the discharge of his duties and during his incumbency he broke up one of the most desperate gangs of cattle thieves that ever infested the county. The gang had completely terrorized the people of the community and adjoining counties in Nebraska, but Mr. Clark's efforts in this direction saved to the cattlemen and farmers thousands of dollars in live stock alone and made life and property safe in the district, which contributed in no small degree to his election for a third term. Mr. Clark was a member of Poudre Valley Lodge, No. 12, I. O. O. F., and it was under the auspices of that organization that his funeral services were conducted. He was a man universally liked and esteemed even by those who most strongly opposed him politically. His opponents ever admired and respected him. He was generous to a fault, was ever ready to assist the needy, was always jovial and good-natured, and his musical talent contributed to his popularity, for he was a valued addition to all social occasions and musical events given in Greeley and his selections, like himself, breathed a rollicking good humor that was always contagious and enjoyable. In a word, his personal characteristics were those which won for him friendship and love. He was accidentally killed while boarding a street car in Denver, passing away, September 7, 1898, at the age of forty-seven years, leaving behind him, besides the bereaved family, many warm friends to mourn his demise. His memory is yet enshrined in the hearts of many with whom he came In contact and in his passing Greeley lost one of, its most representative citizens. Mrs. Clark still resides in Greeley, where she owns extensive real estate holdings, including many residences that bring to her a very gratifying annual Income. She is very popular, having been active in school work and otherwise in Greeley for about twenty-six years. She has an extensive acquaintance and, like her husband, has gained the high regard of many friends.