Robert L. Clark, a native son of Oklahoma and a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the state, has filled a number of public positions of honor and trust and is now devoting his attention to general farming, conducting his operations on an extensive scale. He was born in Tahlequah, Cherokee County, December 2, 1881, his parents being Silas D. and Elizabeth (Griffin) Clark, who were of exactly the same age: The father was born in Indian Territory, while his parents, who were of Cherokee extraction, were natives of Georgia, being among the first of that tribe to settle in the territory. Mr. Clark passed away in 1913. The mother makes her home in Dewey.
In the Cherokee Seminary Robert L. Clark acquired his education and on starting out in life for himself he took up the occupation of farming, which he has since followed. While residing in Cherokee County he was called to public office, serving as deputy sheriff, deputy County Treasurer and as live stock inspector of that County and discharging the duties of those positions with fidelity and efficiency: He is now operating his mother’s place of one hundred and twenty acres and also a one hundred and twenty-acre tract on Hogshooter creek, owned by his brother, E. P. Clark. The subject of this review has likewise made extensive investments in farm property, owning eighty acres in Nowata County, one hundred and ten acres in Washington County and one hundred and thirty acres in Cherokee County. He is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres in all and devotes his attention to the raising of hay, grain and corn and also breeds stock. Having spent his life in this state, he has become thoroughly familiar with agricultural conditions here and therefore knows the best methods of coping with them. He has worked diligently and persistently as the years have passed and his industry has been the basic element in his present day success. He has brought his land under a high state of development and his home is situated in the midst of a fine grove of trees, everything about the place being indicative of the progressive methods of the owner.
In 1901 Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Luna, a daughter of S. P. and Sarah (Butler) Luna of Missouri, and to this union have been born eleven children: Martin AT., a young man of twenty; Owen Blake, eighteen years of age; Peachy Mabelle; Cecil; Helen; Robert Allen, who is twelve years of age; Raymond, aged ten; Virginia Josephine; Snookie, and Donald U, aged, respectively, five and two years; and Georgia Dwight, who is six months old.
Mr. Clark was named for United States Senator Robert L. Owen, a personal friend of the family, and is a man of fine physique who is the possessor of many estimable qualities. He is a hard, intelligent worker and his career has been marked by steady advancement, due to his comprehensive knowledge of the business to which he has turned his attention and his unquestioned integrity and reliability, and he is one of the best known and most highly respected residents of this part of the state.