Charles C. Clarke

CHARLES C. CLARKE--On a fine homestead of four hundred and forty acres, in Bourbon county, resides this well known and highly esteemed representative of the agricultural industry in this section of the state and he is a prominent factor in connection with public affairs in the county, where he is now serving as chairman of the Bourbon County Democratic Committee. He is signally alert and progressive as a citizen and his influence and cooperation are given in support of all measures and projects tending to enhance the general welfare of the community. Charles C. Clarke was born in Mason county, Kentucky, on the 27th of December, 1868, and is a son of John and Nannie (Fitzgerald) Clarke, both of whom were likewise born in that county and both of whom are representatives of sterling pioneer families of that section of the state. John Clarke was a son of Charles Clarke, who likewise was born in Mason county and who became one of the prominent and influential citizens of that section. He served several years as county sheriff and was also called to other local offices of public trust. He married Miss Caroline Hoard and they became the parents of four children: John, Charles, Seth and Caroline. John Clarke was born in the year 1835 and his entire active career was one of close and successful identification with agricultural pursuits. He was one of the representative citizens of Mason county and was a particularly successful business man, having been known as one of the best financiers of Mason county. He was primarily instrumental in the organization of the First National Bank of Maysville, this county, and served on its board of directors until his death, which occurred in 1833. His wife, now venerable in years, resides in the city of Maysville. She is a devout member of the Christian church, with which her husband also was actively identified for many years prior to his demise. Of the four children the following data are given: Caroline is deceased, Anna P. is the wife of Charles C. Hopper, of Maysville; Charles C., of this review, was next in order of birth; and John remains on the old homestead farm in Mason county, where he is serving his second term as sheriff. Charles C. Clarke gained his early experiences in connection with the practical affairs of life through his close association with the work of the old homestead farm, on which he was born. His early educational advantages were those afforded in the graded schools of Mason county and he was but fifteen years of age at the time of his father's death. He then assumed the practical charge of the home farm, to whose supervision he continued to give his attention until he had attained to his legal majority. In 1890, shortly after his first marriage, Mr. Clarke removed to Bourbon county and purchased his present fine homestead, which is located about seven miles east of the city of Paris, on the Paris and North Middletown turnpike. Everything about the place indicates thrift and prosperity and Mr. Clarke is recognized as one of the most progressive and successful farmers of the county, besides which he raises high-grade live stock, and he has built up a successful enterprise in the buying and shipping of cattle. In politics he is recognized as one of the leaders of the Democratic party in his county and this fact is evidenced in his incumbency of the office of chairman of the Democratic committee of Bourbon county. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Kentucky Classical & Business College, at North Middletown, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Christian church. In Mason county, this state, on the 5th of February, 1890, Mr. Clarke was united in marriage to Miss Florence Fox, who was born and reared in that county and who was a daughter of Andrew and Amanda (Daugherty) Fox. She was summoned to the life eternal in August, 1907, and of the four children the following brief data are given--John F. is deceased; Claude remains at the paternal home; Harry D. is deceased; and Charles C., Jr. remains at the homestead. On the 10th of November, 1909, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Clarke to Miss Sadie H. Young, who was born in Bourbon county, on the 4th of December, 1881, and who is a daughter of James W. Young, a sketch of whose career appears elsewhere in this volume, so it is not necessary to enter further review of the family history in this connection. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke have one child--Sallie Young Clarke, who was born on the 5th of October, 1910.