Etc. -- W. J. Clarke of Port Arthur, old Simcoe boy
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Part article transcription from 7 Jun 1907 Simcoe Reformer newspaper.

W. J. Clarke, Port Arthur

The Port Arthur Evening Chronicle of May 11th contains a sketch of the career of Mr. W. J. Clarke, one of the earliest settlers to that now flourishing city. Mr. Clark [sic] is an old Simcoe boy, son of the late Dr. John Clarke, for many years a popular and successful physician of Simcoe and the representative of North Norfolk in the Ontario Legislature from 1871 to 1879.

Will, as he was familiarly designated, was born in Simcoe in 1849 and was educated in the public schools and the grammar school of the town, and in due time became a graduated druggist. Desirous of seeking a suitable business location in the West, he joined a C.P.R. engineering party, but at last pitched his tent at Port Arthur in 1871, bought a block of land, built on it and began business as a druggist, and was afterwards joined by his brother, Dr. Arthur Clarke.

Port Arthur then contained only 200 people. The Simcoe boy prospered. The Chronicle indicates his [versatility] and business energy in many lines of business. He grew up with the place, sharing in its ups and downs and aiding in every enterprise likely to promote its prosperity. He filled municipal positions and other places of trust in the gift of the people, and is now at the age of 58, in active business enjoying the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.

On retiring from the Ontario Legislature, his father was appointed in the Shrivalty [sic] of the Algoma district, as its first sheriff, and D. D. Van Norman, also a resident of Simcoe, was installed as Stipendiary Magistrate. The sheriff of the new district held the office about 9 years when he passed away.

There are some living in Simcoe who can well remember the genial Dr. John Clarke and his family, and there may be a few who were schoolmates of Will and who will be glad to learn of his useful business career and of the esteem in which he is held.

There may possibly be a few in town who remember his grandfather, who was pastor of quite a large body of Congregationalists, whose place of worship was the historic Mud Church, which stood on the corner of Colborne and Young streets. Preacher Clarke's residence was Rose Hill, and he was also superintendent of schools for Woodhouse under the old educational regime.

It seems a pity we could not have an old boys' reunion here, so as to call together the old Simcoe and Norfolk boys, who are scattered all over the continent, to have one more chat over the "long ago."

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