Clarence Howard Clark Sr.
Clarence Howard Clark Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Died | March 6, 1906 (aged 72) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, real estate investor, developer |
| Known for | Prominent Philadelphia banker and developer; president of First National Bank; founder of Fidelity Insurance, Trust & Safe Deposit Co.; development of West Philadelphia; member of American Philosophical Society |
Clarence Howard Clark Sr. (April 19, 1833 – March 6, 1906) was a prominent banker, real estate investor, and developer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A decade following his passing, The New York Times recognized him as one of Philadelphia's "most distinguished figures of his era."
Biography
Clark entered the world in Providence, Rhode Island, born to Sarah Crawford Dodge and Enoch White Clark. In 1833, the family relocated to Boston, where Enoch, a financier by profession, accumulated significant debts. Subsequently, in 1837 they moved to Philadelphia, where Enoch partnered with his brother-in-law Edward Dodge to establish the banking firm E. W. Clark & Co..
The company flourished, eradicating its debts within seven years and positioning the Clarks among Philadelphia’s wealthiest households. It expanded its presence with offices in New York, St. Louis, and New Orleans, capitalizing on domestic exchange opportunities that arose after the 1836 revocation of the Second Bank of the United States charter and during the Panic of 1837. Enoch Clark passed away in 1856. Over time, the firm gained control over numerous public utility and railroad enterprises.
Clarence Clark became part of the family business in 1854. In 1857, the firm underwent reorganization with partners including Clark himself, his brother Edward White Clark, Frederick J. Kimball, and H. H. Wainwright.
Clark was instrumental in transforming West Philadelphia from predominantly agricultural land and light manufacturing zones into a suburban area serviced by streetcars. He acquired parcels from various owners such as attorney Nathaniel B. Browne and collaborated with William S. Kimball and McKlosky. At one stage, he owned the entire block spanning from 42nd to 43rd Street between Walnut and Pine Streets.
During the early 1860s, Clark constructed an opulent 34-room residence named Chestnutwold at 4200 Locust Street at a cost of $300,000. This brownstone mansion featured exquisite details including hardwood flooring, intricately carved mahogany paneling, stained-glass windows, a private art gallery, and a library valued at $27,000. The estate covered a full city block and was accessible to the public; its grounds housed rare botanical specimens such as a Chinese jinko tree. Chestnutwold was demolished in 1916 and replaced by the Episcopal Divinity School in 1926.
Clark pioneered residential design by setting back rowhouses approximately 20 feet from the street line—the initial example being on the 4000 block of Locust Street.
In 1862, he was among the founders of the Philadelphia Union League, a patriotic organization that continues its activities today.
By the conclusion of the American Civil War, Clark held the presidency of the chartered First National Bank, notable for being the first institution authorized to issue federal banknotes; he personally signed its inaugural note.
In 1866, he co-established the Fidelity Insurance, Trust & Safe Deposit Co., which through subsequent mergers became part of major financial entities including Wells Fargo.
In 1867, Clark along with his brothers became members of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Clark contributed to founding the Centennial National Bank in 1876 to serve as financial agent for the Centennial Exhibition; its headquarters at Market Street and 32nd Street were designed by architect Frank Furness. This bank also provided funding for development projects in West Philadelphia.
In 1881, Clark facilitated E.W. Clark & Co.’s acquisition of the Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio Railroad, which was renamed the Norfolk & Western Railway, where he served on its board. Additionally, he held board positions with both the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad and the Railroad Equipment Company.
Elected to membership in the American Philosophical Society in 1889, Clark actively engaged with civic institutions including serving as president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, participating in the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, and joining Boston’s Bibliophile Society.
In 1894 he was appointed to the first board of trustees for the Free Library of Philadelphia and served on a municipal committee dedicated to promoting museums. By 1899 he had attained Life Membership status with the Fairmount Park Art Association, contributing to committees responsible for overseeing public artworks.
Clark donated land that became West Philadelphia’s Clark Park and also provided property for establishing the Walnut Street West branch of the Philadelphia Free Library.
He passed away at his Chestnutwold residence on March 6, 1906.
Family
Clark's first marriage was to Amie Hampton Wescott, with whom he had a son named Clarence Howard Clark Jr.. Tragically, Amie passed away in 1870 as a result of complications during childbirth.
Three years later, in 1873, he wed Marie Motley Davis from Boston, who was the niece of the writer John Lothrop Motley. Together, they had a son, Charles Motley Clark, who graduated from Harvard in manufacturing in 1901 and later served as an ambulance driver during the First World War.
External links
- Moody's profile on E.W. Clark & Co.
- A descriptive catalogue of the books comprising Clarence H. Clark’s library, 1888
- Chestnutwold:
- Photograph of the mansion at 4200 Locust (From "King's Views of Philadelphia" (1900) by guidebook publisher Moses King)
- "Views of Chestnutwold", circa 1870, property of Clarence C. Zantzinger
- Spruce Hill Historic District Statement of Significance; emphasizing Clark’s contributions to West Philadelphia’s development
- Biography by the New England Society of Pennsylvania
- Listing at the Frick Collection
- Proceedings of the New England Historic Genealogical Society
- United States Investor, Volume 25, Part 2, Issues 27-52
- Biography at the Academy of Sciences
- Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the Norfolk & Western Railroad
