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Willard Weld Clark papers

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_COLL MSS 272

Scope and Contents

The Willard Weld Clark collection consists of letters written by various members of Clark's family between 1901 and 1909. The majority of the letters were written by Clark to his mother, Emma, in Lockport, New York. Other letters were written/received by his sisters Grace and Lucy; his father Benjamin; his cousin Robert; his fiancee/wife Betsey Bamber; associates in the mining industry; and other members of the U.S. Forest Service. The Clark collection is notable for the wealth of detail it provides about life in rural Utah and Arizona just after the turn of the century. During this time Willard Clark lived all over Utah and northern Arizona, but he stayed the longest in two cities; Roosevelt, Arizona and Logan, Utah. In his letters Clark talked about what he was doing, as well as his interactions with local people, and gives an insight into social events and get-togethers. The letters are organized chronologically from 1901 to 1909. A few of the letters lacked specific dates, and an estimation was made of the approximate month. These letters are filed at the earliest possible date, and have a range of possible dates listed on them. A folder containing a 1912 letter from another family member to her mother, a folder with two of Willard Clark's business cards in it, and a folder with two letters with undeterminable dates, are located at the end of the collection.

Dates

  • 1901-1912

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Restrictions

Open to public research.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Permission to publish material from the Willard Weld Clark papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Biographical Note

Willard Weld Clark was born on 17th January, 1879 in Lockport, New York. After he graduated from Cornell University, Willard went to the Philippines in late January 1903 to work for the U.S. Forest Service. While in the Philippines Willard Clark also became involved in the local mining industry with some of his friends and family. By November 1905, after spending some time in Washington D.C., Willard Clark had been sent to Arizona by the U.S. Forest Service. During his time there Clark helped to establish a Presbyterian church in Roosevelt, Arizona. In March 1906 Willard Weld Clark was promoted from Forest Assistant to Assistant Forest Inspector. This promotion caused him to move repeatedly, and would lead to his work in Utah. Clark was sent to Utah in late April of 1906. While in Utah he traveled throughout the state inspecting forest reserves and trying to administer them more efficiently. In December of 1906 Willard Weld Clark sold all of his Philippine mining shares, yielding a substantial profit. That same year he returned briefly to Washington D.C., before being assigned in March 1907 to work in the Cache National Forest near Logan, Utah. Willard Clark later would become the second supervisor of the Cache National Forest. On April 22nd 1908 Willard Weld Clark married Betsey Bamber. In the winter of 1908-1909 Willard Clark taught a forestry course at the Agricultural College of Utah (now U.S.U.). Clark taught the course because he believed that most forest rangers tended to be undereducated. On February 4th 1909 Willard and Betsey's only child, a daughter Ruth, was born. Willard Weld Clark made a trip up Logan Canyon on Saturday 17th July 1909. That day Clark was injured as he tried to mount a horse, when the pommel struck him in the abdomen. The injury initially caused only a little pain, but eventually a hemorrhage occurred. When Clark became ill medical assistance was summoned. The doctor did not think the injury too serious, but it soon developed into a severe case of pneumonia. Willard Clark died on Tuesday 20th July 1909. His remains were brought back to Logan, and his family and wife, who was in New York visiting relatives, were notified. They instructed that the body should be sent back to New York for burial.

Extent

1 box (.25 linear ft.)

Abstract

The Willard Weld Clark collection consists of letters written by various members of Clark's family between 1901 and 1912 concerning his forestry work in Utah (including Logan, Utah).

Arrangement

Collection is arranged chronologically.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Willard Weld Clark collection was purchased in January 2000 from Charles Apfelbaum, a rare manuscripts dealer in New Jersey, who had acquired the collection from another dealer. The funds used to purchase this collection came from the B. G. Olesen Endowment.

Processing Information

Collection Processed by: Brandon Morton. Registered Prepared by: Brandon Morton, November 2000.

Title
Guide to the Willard Weld Clark papers 1901-1912
Author
Finding aid created by Special Collections and Archives.
Date
©2008
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding guide is in English in Latin script.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Revision Statements

  • 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)