"History and Biography of Minnesota, 1915"



WILLIS J. CLARK. The men who have made a lasting impression on the financial affairs oi Minnesota have, in large part, risen from the counting room and behind the counter, and in this class undoubtedly belongs Willis J. Clark, president of the First National Bank of Windom and an active factor in the business in banking ventures was as a clerk, more than a quarter of a century ago, in the same institution of which he is now the chief executive, and the various steps through which he has risen have been brought about by his energy, faithfulness and personal ability, and by the maintenance of a strict integrity and absolute probity in all things.

Mr. Clark was born in Richland County, Wisconsin, May 9, 1867, and is a son of H. M. and Lucinda (Duke) Clark. The family is of Scotch-Irish descent, but has been represented in America from the days of the colonies, the great-grandfather of Willis J. Clark being a resident of his native state of Pennsylvania. H. M. Clark was born near Wellsville, Ohio, in 1833, and still survives, in hale old age, being a resident of Windom. As a young man he moved from the Buckeye State to Wisconsin, and established himself on a farming property in Richland County, being thus peaceably engaged when the war between the North and the South commenced. He soon enlisted for service at Fort Randall, in the Forty-sixth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was detailed as a clerk in the provost marshal's office, his service covering a period of two years and being characterized by strict devotion to duty. In 1871 Mr. Clark disposed of his interests in Wisconsin and came to Windom, Minnesota, where he engaged in business as a stock buyer and owner of a meat market. In this line he was very successful, so that he was able to retire from business some years ago, and is still quietly enjoying the fruits of his industry. Mr. Clark was married to Miss Lucinda Duke, who was born in Monroe County, Ohio, in 1843, and three children were born to them: Ida M., who is the wife of S. L. Sherwood, a partner in the firm of F. Strunk Lumber Company, at Lake Crystal, Minnesota; Willis J., of this notice; and Harold M., who is engaged in business as a hardware merchant at Lakefield, Minnesota.

Willis J. Clark was educated in the public schools of Windom, following which he took a commercial course in the Minneapolis Commercial College, which was completed in 1887. In that same year he entered the service of the First National Bank, as a clerk, and as the years passed and his ability was recognized in greater and greater degree, he was promoted from position to position, until January 1, 1912, he became president of the institution, a position which he still retains. The First National Bank of Windom was organized as a private institution in 1881, was organized into a state bank in 1884, and in 1897 was nationalized. It has a capital stock of $50,000, a surplus of like amount, and undivided profits of $75,000, and the modern structure, the best in Windom, located on the west side of the Courthouse Square, was erected in 1911 at a cost of $40,000, being equipped with every modern convenience. Under Mr. Clark's administration the bank has prospered and developed until it is today accounted one of the strongest institutions of Cottonwood County, and it is probable that Mr. Clark's personality and well known probity of character have had much to do with attracting deposits. He is also widely known in financial circles elsewhere, being president of the First State Bank at Storden and of the Farmers State Bank at Wilder, Minnesota. His business connections are important and extensive, including a partnership in the firm of Clark Brothers Hardware Company at Lakefield, a partnership in the firm of Carl Nelson & Company, hardware merchants at Windom, and a directorship in the Thomas Halverson Lumber Company, with headquarters at St. James, Minnesota.

A republican in his political views, Mr. Clark has at various times been called upon by his fellow citizens to act in capacities of official importance, having served as a member of the city council on several occasions, as village recorder two terms and as mayor of Windom one term. His fraternal connections include membership in Lodge No. 108, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Lodge No. 2313, Modern Woodmen of America; Lodge No. 83, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the local lodge of the Royal Arcanum, all of Windom.

Mr. Clark was married in 1895, to Miss Ada Ellis, daughter of H. S. Ellis, retired, of Long Beach, California.