Cumberland County, Maine - Elisha A. Clark
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Biography
Elisha A. Clark
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 520-521


Elisha A. Clark, of the firm of Clark Brothers, wholesale and retail dealers in
corn, oats, flour, and mill feed at Freeport, Me., was born in Harpswell,
Cumberland County, October 1, 1859, son of Isaac and Jane (Allen) Clark, both
natives of Harpswell. His grandfather, Samuel Clark, was also born in Harpswell;
Me. After following the sea for some years in his early manhood, deciding to
spend the rest of his life in the enjoyment of domestic comfort - a blessing
which a sailor more thoroughly appreciates than does the man who has never been
deprived of it - he settled on a farm in Harpswell Centre. There he died in
1839. He was the father of thirteen children.

His son, Isaac Clark, went to sea when a mere lad, and rose step by step from
the berth of cabin boy to that of Captain, finally owning and commanding the
"Exchange," a coasting vessel plying between Bangor, Portland, and Boston. He
followed the uncertain fortunes of the sea until he was fifty-five years of age,
then settling on the homestead farm, where he died at the advanced age of
eighty-eight. His wife was the daughter of Elisha Allen, of Harpswell Centre,
one of the best-known citizens of the locality. Mr. Allen was equally expert as
a farmer, a ship-builder, a blacksmith, and a shoemaker, and was regarded as a
"smart " man, as that was then used in New England. He died at the age of
eighty-three. His daughter, Mrs. Clark, who was one of a family of eight
children, died in Harpswell at the age of sixty-two. She was a devoted member of
the Baptist church, in which her husband, Isaac Clark, was one of the leading
men, serving for many years as clerk and taking a prominent part in all church
matters. Isaac and Jane (Allen) Clark reared four children - William, Isaac,
Joseph C., and Elisha A. Joseph and Elisha are twins, and resemble each other so
strongly that one is often taken for the other.

Elisha A. Clark attended school regularly until thirteen years of age. After
that he pursued his studies in the winter season only, working on the farm
during the time of sowing and harvest. In 1880, in connection with his brother,
J. C. Clark, he purchased the store at Harpswell Centre, which was then owned by
Captain Lemuel Stover, and for five years the brothers conducted a successful
trade. Elisha Clark then bought his brother's interest, and from that time was
sole proprietor of the store. He carried a large stock of fine groceries, and
had an extensive trade in flour and feed, both wholesale and retail, buying
grain by the carload. In 1885 he erected a steam-mill, and besides supplying his
wholesale trade he did a large amount of custom work. In April of the present
year,1896, he sold out his business at Harpswell Centre, and with his brother,
J. C., bought out the steammill at Freeport, known as the Mallet steammill,
where they are doing a thriving business in the grain trade. Mr. Clark is a
Director of the Harpswell Insurance Company, of which he has been Treasurer
seven years.

December 23, 1883, he was united in marriage with Lydia D., daughter of Francis
and Lucretia (Pinkham) Haskell, of Harpswell. Francis Haskell also was a
seafaring man, gaining his livelihood from the fisheries. Mr. and Mrs. Clark
have three children - Frank, Leonard, and Raymond.

Mr. Clark is a Democrat in politics. He was Town Treasurer of Harpswell five
years, Constable several years, and also held the office of Postmaster. In
religious belief he is an old-school Baptist-an uncompromising Predestinarian.
He has been a member of the Baptist church in Harpswell thirteen years, and
taken an active part in its affairs, serving as clerk for some years, teaching
in the Sunday-school, and efficiently filling the position of superintendent.
Mrs. Clark also is a devoted member of the Baptist church. Mr. Clark has
attained his present position of prominence in the business world through his
own energy and ability, and his fine social qualities have made him the centre
of a large circle of friends.