California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 BYRON CLARK. � Maine has made a worthy contribution to the citizen- ship of California during the course of westward migration, but none of her representatives proved more worthy or steadfast in his endeavors to upbuild and advance the interests of his chosen home place than the late Byron Clark. The descendant of an old New England family, long resident in that rugged section of country, he was born in Ellsworth, Me., November 22, 1855. the son of Capt. Curtis Clark, the owner and master of a coasting vessel. The public schools of Ellsworth supplied the educational advantages which young Byron was permitted to enjoy, and after his schooling was completed he was variously employed in the east until the call of the west brought him to California in 1874. He was then a young man of about nineteen years, full of energy and determination, and he did not lack for opportunity to show his capabilities. Coming to Mendocino he found employment with the Mendo- cino Lumber Company, beginning to work for them in the woods. The work proved congenial and he rose from one position to another until he was finally made superintendent of the woods, a position which he held for about nine- teen years. Subsequently he was a boss in the woods for the Union Lumber Company for a number of years, and still later he held the same position with the Caspar Lumber Company, and it was while associated with the latter company that his death occurred, March 14, 1909. The lumber interests of the county lost a valued worker in his death, for he was thoroughly con- versant with all details of the business and his services were in constant de- mand ; his family lost a devoted and indulgent husband and father, and the community a loyal, public-spirited, unassuming citizen who has been sadly missed. He was a man among men, one of Nature's noblemen who had won his way to success by his own self-reliance and energy. Fraternally he was also well known and very popular with his associates. He was a mem- ber of Mendocino Lodge, No. 179, F. & A. Isl., also of Mendocino Chapter and the Order of the Eastern Star of the same place, Ukiah Commandery No. 33, K. T., while in the Odd Fellows order he was connected with lodge, en- campment and the Rebekahs. Politically he gave his allegiance to Republican principles and candidates. A marriage ceremony performed in Ukiah February 3. 1886, united the destinies of Byron Clark and Miss Oleva Burger. She was born near Lay- tonville, Cal., the daughter of James and Nancy (Lambert) Burger, natives of Kentucky and Iowa respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Burger were married in Iowa and from that state they started for California with ox-teams in the early '50s. They settled in Long valley, where Mr. Burger became well known as a successful stockman. His later years were passed in Ukiah, and in that city his death occurred in 1899. Mrs. Burger still continues to make her home in Ukiah. Of her five children four are living, Mrs. Clark being next to the oldest. The greater part of her early life was passed in Ukiah, where she attended grammar school, and later she attended the San Jose state normal. Putting her knowledge to good account she adopted teaching as a profession and followed it for eleven years, eight years of this time being passed in the schools of Mendocino. After the death of Mr. Clark she re- moved to Ft. Bragg and has made this city her home ever since, giving to its welfare a wholesome interest that is characteristic. With her two children she resides in a comfortable home which she erected on Brandon Way. The son, Russell, is a graduate of Mendocino high school and the Santa Rosa Business College ; and the daughter, Leonora, a graduate of Mendocino high school and San Jose State Normal, is a teacher. Mrs. Clark is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Mendocino, in the work of which she is deeply interested. She is past matron of Ocean View Chapter, O. E. S., at Mendo- cino, is past noble grand of Far West Lodge of Rebekahs of that place, and for several terms was district deputy. Personally Mrs. Clark is a woman of noble characteristics, and all who are privileged to know her feel the impress of her radiant good nature.