John Clark (politician, 1761)

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John Clark (born February 1, 1761 in New Castle County , Delaware Colony , † August 14, 1821 ibid) was an American politician and governor of the state of Delaware from 1817 to 1820 .

Early years and political advancement

Clark's education was rather modest. But he compensated for this disadvantage through his own efforts by learning from books on his own. John Clark worked as a sheriff in New Castle County for a year . He was the Treasury Secretary of Delaware from 1794 to 1799 and was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives in 1798 . From 1805 he also served as justice of the peace. From October 1807 to April 1808 he was colonel regimental commander in the militia of his state. Clark was a member of the Federalist Party , as its candidate he was elected governor on October 1, 1816.

Governor of Delaware and further résumé

John Clark began his three-year term on January 21, 1817. His reign passed without any particular incident. The governor supported a reform to make smaller debts faster and easier. At that time, a society for the promotion of American manufacturers was founded in Delaware ( Society of the State of Delaware for the Promotion of American Manufactures ). In accordance with the then valid state constitution, Clark was not allowed to run again in 1819. Therefore, he resigned on January 15, 1820 from his office.

He then retired from politics and became President of the Commercial Bank of Smyrna . However, he died in August 1821. He was married to Sarah Cook Corbit, a widowed daughter of the former President of Delaware, John Cook . The couple had several children, but only their daughter Mary, who died in 1814, is known by name.

literature

  • Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Clark, John
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH February 1, 1761
PLACE OF BIRTH New Castle County , Delaware
DATE OF DEATH August 14, 1821
Place of death New Castle County , Delaware