Robert F. Clark
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert F. Clark | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 20, 1838 |
| Died | January 30, 1912 (aged 73) Milton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Resting place | Mount Auburn Cemetery |
| Occupation | Stock broker |
| Known for | Chairman of the Boston Police Commission First president of the Boston Athletic Association |
| Spouse | Margarita Jones (m. 1865) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Ellery Harding Clark (brother) |
Robert Farley Clark (May 20, 1838[1]–January 30, 1912) was an American banker, political figure, and sportsman who served as chairman of the Boston Police Commission and was the first president of the Boston Athletic Association.
Clark was born in Boston to Benjamin Cutler and Mary Preston Clark.[2] He attended Boston Public Schools and graduated from Boston Latin School in 1856.[3] During his youth, Clark was a standout rower. In 1857 he was a member of the 6-man Volant crew that was the champion of the Charles River Association and beat the Huron crew made up of Harvard students Samuel B. Parkman, Charles F. Walcott, William H. Elliot, William G. Goldsmith, Alexander Agassiz, and James J. Storrow.[4] After graduating, Clark worked for his father, who was a prominent Boston importer.[3]
Military service
On September 2, 1861, Clark enlisted in the Union Army. Clark was commissioned a captain in the 24th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. He took part in Burnside's North Carolina Expedition and fought in the battles of Roanoke Island, New Bern, Goldsborough Bridge, White Hall, and Tranter's Creek. He then served as a senior aide to brigadier general Thomas G. Stevenson and was with him at the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. Clark was ordered to return home following his father's death and was honorably discharged from the army on February 5, 1864.[3]
Business career
After leaving the Army, Clark became a stock broker in Boston. He was associated with the firm of Hayden, Stone & Co. and was treasurer of the Boston Stock Exchange.[2]