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JAMES WILLIAM CLARK, M. D. Concentration of purpose and persistently applied energy rarely fail of success in the accomplishment of any task however great, and in tracing the career of Dr. James William Clark, a well known and successful physician of Bois D'Arc, Greene county, it is plainly seen that these things have been among the main secrets of his rise to a position of prominence and respectability. Moreover, he possesses genuine love for his work and regards it as a privilege to carry comfort and aid to the sick and suffering.
Dr. Clark is a scion of an old Southern family, and himself was born under Dixie's skies, having first seen the light of day at Bowling Green, Kentucky, March 15, 1874. He is a son of Joseph. M. and Harriet H. (Shannon) Clark. The father was born, July 25, 1833, and died March 8, 1909. He was a son of Bowling McKagy Clark, who was born, December 8, 1777. The latter married on June 6, 1831, Jane Hagerman, who was born November 30, 1808, Joseph M. Clark grew to manhood in the old Blue Grass state and received a common school education, and there he followed general farming and stock raising until 1882, when he moved to near Halltown, Lawrence county, Missouri, where he purchased about four hundred acres of land, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits on an extensive scale until his death, making a specialty of handling live stock, and while living there he shipped on the market over five hundred head of cattle and over three thousand hogs. He and Harriet H. Shannon were married, December 4, 1862. She was born, March 30, 1842, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (King) Shannon. Samuel Shannon was born in Warren county, Kentucky, August 1, 1798, and was killed by falling off a horse in 1882. He followed farming in Warren county, Kentucky, all his active life. He and Elizabeth King were married, February 5, 1822. She was born in Warren county, Kentucky, May 21, 1803, and her death occurred in young womanhood, June 2, 1832. Politically, Joseph M. Clark, mentioned above, was a Democrat. Fraternally, he belonged to the Masonic Order, and he was an active worker in the Baptist church, was responsible for the Antioch church, and was a deacon in his congregation for a number of years. His wife, mother of our subject, is still living, making her home in Halltown, Missouri.
Five children were born to Joseph M. Clark and wife, namely: Arthur V. is farming near Perry Springs, Missouri; Miles J. is cashier of a bank at Halltown, Missouri; Readie J. is the wife of C. H. Johnson, and they live near Halltown; Dr. James W. of this review and Dr. Samuel M., who is a practicing physician at Halltown.
Dr. James W. Clark grew to manhood on his father's farm. He was eight years old when the family left Kentucky and settled in Lawrence county, Missouri. He received his early education in the public schools, and he was graduated from the high school at Halltown in 1892. When but a boy he decided to enter the medical profession, and with this end in view he began reading medicine with Dr. C. A. Wilkerson as preceptor, and also lead with Dr. R. W. Paris while at home and during vacations. In 1896 he entered the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he made an excellent record, and from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1899. Soon thereafter he established himself for the practice of his profession at Miller, Lawrence county, where he remained two years, then located in Ash Grove, Greene county, where he remained two years. After practicing in Springfield three and one-half years he came to Bois D'Arc, where he has since remained, and here he has built up a large and satisfactory practice and is one of the busiest of the younger general practitioners in the county. He has remained a close student of all that pertains to his science and has met with a high degree of success.
Dr. Clark was married, May 17, 1899, to Pearl M. Misemer, of Perry Springs, Missouri. She was born, October 1, 1876, and was a daughter of William and Mary E. (Berry) Mesimer, a highly respected family of that locality. Mrs. Clark was killed in Springfield, September 26, 1914, by a runaway team that ran into the automobile driven by our subject.
Politically, Doctor Clark is a Democrat. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and fraternally, belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has made a host of friends since locating at Bois D'Arc and enjoys the confidence and good will of the people throughout this section of the county.
[1818-1820]
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