HULET D. CLARK, for many years a progressive farmer and representative business man of the town of Minisink, was born in Sussex County, N. J., in 1835 and died April 2, 1897.
In 1860 he purchased a farm in Mount Hope, and six years later bought one hundred and fifteen acres in the town of Minisink, near Westtown, where he resided to the time of his death. In 1885 his son, Clarence, established a flour and feed store in the village of Johnson under the firm name of C. G. Clark & Co. The venture proved successful and branches were started at Unionville, Slate Hill and Westtown.
In 1867 Mr. Clark married Margaret, daughter of James G. Swartwout, of Port Jervis, a direct descendant of Roeloff Swartwout, who came from Holland and settled at Kingston, N. Y., in 1655. Five children were born, of whom Clarence G. was the third in order of birth. He resides in Westtown, conducting an extensive flour, feed and coal business, in addition to a three-hundred-acre farm. He married Mary, daughter of H. Reeves Horton. They are the parents of two children, Hulet D. and Julia K.
JAMES ALONZO CLARK was born March 26, 1845, at Middletown, Orange County. His early education was acquired at the public school and at the age of fifteen he began his business career by clerking for Alexander Wilson, of Middletown, remaining there two years. In June, 1862, he became clerk in the hardware store of Scott Brothers, remaining with this concern through various changes until he became a member of the firm in 1879. The firm at that period was Vail, Brink & Clark. In 1884 the senior member of the firm sold out and the firm then became Brink & Clark, which name it has since retained. He married Mrs. Emma (Cole) Dunning in 1887. One child was born to this union, Mildred Murray, born October 23, 1888. Mr. Clark is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M.; Midland Chapter, R. A. M.; Cyprus Commandery No. 67, and the Knights of Pythias. He takes an interest in the Sons of the Revolution and is identified with the Middletown Savings Bank as trustee. Since 1865 he has been connected with the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company, of Middletown.
ROBERT H. CLARK, supervisor of the town of Minisink, was born near Westtown. He is a son of Hon. William Harvey and Emily A. (Robertson) Clark. He has always engaged in the management of his farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres. Politically he is a firm believer in the principles of the democratic party. His first public office was that of postmaster, during Cleveland's second term. He was elected supervisor in 1903, re-elected in 1905 and again in 1907. Socially Mr. Clark is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Minisink Grange.
William H. Clark, father of our subject, was born in 1829 and died in 1907. He represented the Second District of Orange County in the New York Legislature in 1881-82. He was supervisor of the town of Minisink a number of terms and chairman of the board in 1876. He was one of the incorporators of the Middletown, Unionville and Water Gap Railroad, and held the office of treasurer many years. He also served twelve years as trustee of the Middletown Asylum and was prominently identified with public and business affairs of his native town and county, enjoying the highest esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.
WILLARD M. CLARK, supervisor of the town of Wallkill, was born at Salem, N. J., August 23, 1861. Shortly after his birth his father removed to Greenville, Orange County, and in the district schools of that town Willard received his early educational training. He later attended the Albany Normal College, from which he was graduated in 1884. Mr. Clark has taught school continuously since 1880, and served six years as school commissioner, following his election to that office in 1890. Mr. Clark also owns and conducts a farm on the state road near Middletown, to which he removed in 1890, coming from Greenville. He was elected a member of the county board of supervisors in the fall of 1907. He married Mamie Clark, of Greenville, and they have a daughter, Ethel. William L. Clark, the father of our subject, was prominent in the social and political life of Greenville. He served as county supervisor for fourteen years and for many years as town clerk.
HENRY P. CLAUSON, who for a quarter of a century has been prominently identified with public affairs in Orange County, was born in New Jersey in 1842. He came to Newburgh in 1868 and located on a farm a few miles northwest of that city, where he has achieved much success in dairying and fruit growing, his farm lands covering over three hundred and fifty acres.
Firmly believing in the principles of the democratic party, Mr. Clauson was elected supervisor of the town of Newburgh in 1878, and re-elected in 1879 and 1880. In 1885 he was elected to the office of sheriff, serving through the years 1886, 1887 and 1888. In the latter year he was a delegate to the national democratic convention at St. Louis, which nominated Grover Cleveland. In 1900 Mr. Clauson was again elected supervisor, serving continuously until 1906. In 1907 he received the democratic nomination for the office of county treasurer.
Mr. Clauson married Miss Mary E. Monell. They have three children living: John, Charlotte (now the wife of V. J. Kohl) and Harry.