Jump to content

S. H. H. Clark

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Silas H. H. Clark
Born(1836-10-17)October 17, 1836
Morristown, New Jersey
DiedJune 1, 1900(1900-06-01) (aged 63)
Asheville, North Carolina
OccupationRailroad executive

Silas Henry Harrison Clark (October 17, 1836 – June 1, 1900) was an American railroad executive. Clark is best remembered as the President of the Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific Railroads during the decade of the 1890s.

Biography

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

Silas H. H. Clark was born in Morristown, New Jersey in 1836 to Silas Condict Clark and Nancy Ianson Clark.

Career development

[edit]

Clark first began to work in the railway industry as a railroad conductor on the New Jersey Central Railroad.[1] He moved to the Union Pacific Railroad in 1867 and rose through the ranks to eventually become its general manager,[1] working on behalf of wealthy financier Jay Gould, who controlled the line. Clark retained this position until resigning in the summer of 1884.[1]

In November 1886, Clark was appointed 1st Vice President and General Manager of the Missouri Pacific Railroad,[1] a road also controlled by Gould. He would remain in that position until March 1893.[1] He was also named the General Manager of the Union Pacific in December 1890, holding this dual post until February 1, 1893.[1]

Railroad presidency

[edit]

On April 27, 1892, Clark was named President of the Union Pacific, replacing the recently deceased Sidney Dillon.[1] He resigned this position on March 27, 1893, to take the job as President of the Missouri Pacific.[1]

The Union Pacific found itself in financial trouble in 1893 and was placed under receivership. On October 13, 1893, Clark was named as one of the receivers of the road.[1] Clark resigned his place as President of the Missouri Pacific to devote himself full time to the management of the Union Pacific.[1]

Death and legacy

[edit]

During the last few years of the 1890s, Clark's health began to fail.[1] He died on June 1, 1900,[1] at his residence in Asheville, North Carolina.[2] His body was transferred by rail to Omaha, Nebraska for interment.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Personal Mention," Railway Age, vol. 29, no. 23 (June 8, 1900), p. 566.
  2. ^ a b "City News". Asheville Gazette. June 3, 1900. p. 8. Retrieved November 24, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
[edit]