Edwin T. Clark Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1014-1017 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				EDWIN T. CLARK. 

	Edwin T. Clark, who is filling the office of sheriff in Fall 
River county and makes his home in Hot Springs, was born in Geneseo 
county, New York, July 17, 1864, a son of John and Fidelia (Burr) 
Clark, both of whom were natives of Connecticut, the former born July 
1, 1814, and the latter March 16, 1825. In early life John Clark 
engaged in farming and he was also connected with educational 
activities, serving as county superintendent of schools in Geneseo 
county, New York. He went to Greeley, Colorado, when the town was 
dedicated to the temperance cause and was a delegate there from the 
Good Templars Grand Lodge of Geneseo county, New York. He served as a 
soldier in the Civil war with the Twenty-fifth Light Artillery, New 
York Volunteers, and all through his life his aid and influence were 
given on the side of humanity and its uplift. His activities in behalf 
of education were of immense value to the communities in which he put 
forth his efforts. He served as school superintendent in Geneseo county 
and as school commissioner and for a number of years he rendered fair 
and impartial decisions as justice of the peace. His life exemplified 
many of the sterling qualities of honorable manhood and citizenship and 
his record is an example that others might profitably follow. 

	Edwin T. Clark pursued his education in the schools of Indian 
Falls, New York, and at the age of seventeen years came to the 
northwest as one of the pioneer settlers of Dakota territory. He made 
his way to Fall River county, then a part of Custer county, and was 
employed as a cow puncher, continuing in that position for fourteen 
years, making long rides over the prairies in the care of the stock 
that ranged over the country. He then engaged in the ranching business 
on his own account for about a year and at the end of that time went to 
Edgemont, where he engaged in the transfer business. He was also 
employed in a feed store for five years and seven months and hater was 
connected with a general store for two years. At the end of that time 
he was elected sheriff and now devotes his undivided time and attention 
to the duties of the office. At a former period, however, he carried on 
merchandising at Ardmore for two years and was likewise engaged in the 
real estate business there. His brother, Phillip S. Clark, was the 
first among cattlemen to locate in Fall River county and engage in the 
stock business, he being foreman of the Bar T outfit, driving cattle 
from Cheyenne, Wyoming. 

	At different periods Mr. Clark has filled various public offices. 
His political allegiance has always been given the republican party and 
he has been a recognized leader in its ranks in the Black Hills 
country. That he is a man true and loyal to the duties which devolve 
upon him in public connections is indicated in the fact that he is now 
serving for his fourth term as sheriff, having been three times 
reelected to that position. He served as county commissioner by 
appointment for two years previous to his election to the office of 
sheriff. He was first sworn into the office as sheriff in 1904, again 
in 1912 and once more, on the 4th of January, 1915. He was a member of 
the board of education at Edgemont for two years and was on the school 
board of the district prior to that time. Every phase of the county's 
upbuilding and development has been of interest to him and has enjoyed 
his cooperation in large measure. He recognizes possibilities and 
opportunities and his efforts have at all times been practical and 
resultant.  

	On the 20th of November, 1889, Mr. Clark was united in marriage 
to Miss Bertha M. Schreckendgust, a native of Iowa and a daughter of 
Riley and Caroline Schreckendgust, the former a native of Pennsylvania 
and the latter of Iowa. They came to South Dakota about 1885, settling 
in Fall River county after having previously been residents of Kansas. 
They are now living in the Bitter Root valley of Montana and Mr. 
Schreckendgust is still in active life as a fruit grower He served in 
the Civil war as a member of an Iowa regiment and has always been loyal 
in matters of citizenship He left home when a lad to earn his own way 
in the world and since that time has been dependent entirely upon his 
labors for a living. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born five 
children: Verner I., residing at home; Derrell, who is attending the 
Grand Island (Neb.) Business College; Howard, who was killed at the age 
of twelve years by a horse throwing him, his foot catching in the 
stirrup and dragging him on the ground; John, attending school; and 
Norma, aged four years  

	Mr. Clark is an Odd Fellow and has taken all of the degrees of 
the order, passing through all of the chairs in both the subordinate 
lodge and the encampment. He has also filled all of the offices in the 
Modern Woodmen camp and is identified with the Elks. His life history 
if written in detail would present a clear picture of pioneer 
conditions in the west when the plains were utilized only by the 
cowboy, who ranged his cattle over the district, or by the Indians, who 
hunted throughout this entire region. He has lived to see remarkable 
changes as the work of development has been carried forward and it is 
but meet that his life record should find a place in the history of his 
adopted state.