Person:Charles Clarke (33)

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Charles J. Clarke
b.15 Mar 1833
d.5 Dec 1899
m. 5 Jul 1831
  1. Charles J. Clarke1833 - 1899
  1. Louis Semple Clarke
Facts and Events
Name Charles J. Clarke
Alt Name Charles John Clarke
Gender Male
Birth? 15 Mar 1833
Marriage to Louisa Semple
Death? 5 Dec 1899
References
  1.   Cushing, Thomas. History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: including its early settlement and progress to the present time; a description of its historic and interesting localities; its cities, towns and villages; religious, educational, social and military history; mining, manufacturing and commercial interests; improvements, resources, statistics, etc. Also portraits of some of its prominent men, and biographies of many of its representative citizens. (Evansville, Indiana: Unigraphic, 1978)
    Page 333.
  2.   Johnstown Flood (National Park Service)

    Charles John Clarke (1833-1899)

    Charles John Clarke was born March 15, 1833, the son of Thomas Shields and Eliza Thaw Clarke.

    He married Louisa Semple and the Clarke's had six children:
    1.) Thomas S. (1860)
    2.) Louis Semple (1867) Louis Semple Clarke became a Club member himself.
    3.) Agnes Clarke (1868)
    4.) John S. (1871)
    5.) James K. (1874)
    6.) Mable (1876)

    Worked for the firm of Clarke and Thaw upon graduation from Jefferson College in 1852, and a member of the firm in 1857 after the passing of Thomas Shields. Thomas Shields Clarke was a player in the Ohio and Pennsylvania Canal system, and his firm participated in the manufacture of canal boats and rail cars for both canal systems until 1855, when the Pennsylvania Railroad made the canal investure unprofitable. Best known for railroad transportation during the Civil War.
    During his lifetime he was president of; the Allegheny Cemetery Company, Pittsburg School of Design for Women, Vice President for Western Pennsylvania College for Women, Trustee of the Western University of Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania Institute for the Deaf and Dumb. Director of the Safe Deposit and Trust Company of Pittsburg and Western Insurance Company.
    Member of the Duquesne Club, Mozart Club and a Vice President of the Western Pennsylvania Humane society.
    When the flood happened, most of the members were still in Pittsburgh, as the summer season was not set to start for a few more weeks. Club members were called to the Clarke home where they were informed of the terrible disaster. Here, Club members formed the Pittsburgh Relief Committee to help Johnstown. However, Club members were informed by the Club's general counsel, James Hay Reed and Philander C. Knox, Club members themselves, to maintain silence. This was done so well by Club members that later generations never knew about their ancestor's relation to the disaster.
    Charles John Clarke died on December 5, 1899, and was buried in Allegheny Cemetery.
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