was the last--1899--so I have one distinction in common with Abraham Lincoln: we were both born in log cabins.

About four years after arriving in Star Valley, Father started buying more land. It seemed that he wanted to get all the property that “joined him” and then the property that joined that, etc. All the while, his family was growing; there were nine children by 1900. He was growing financially; he was growing in influence in the community and in the church. He was a county commissioner, a counselor in the Bishopric; later he was on the Stake High Council and acting in the Stake Presidency. As a child, I can’t recall ever seeing my father seated in the congregation, he was always on the stand. In 1900, he built a large two-story house--one of the largest and most prestigious in Star Valley--where he had room for his large family (Mother had thirteen children) and a place for visitors and church dignitaries (some of the Apostles stayed there when on assignment).

His policy of “buy more land to raise more hay to feed more cattle to buy more land to raise more hay to feed more cattle” resulted in his having a spread of about three thousand acres and a thousand cattle.

I want to interject here, some about the ranch. Soon after Father’s arrival, the land surveys were made and Father was squeezed out of half of his meadow land and had to take foot hill land instead, so he was very cramped for hay land. He bought 160 acres from Ben Perry that joined him on the east. He then bought 320 acres on the east of that from Mark Bigler. This place was long north and south and straddled the Salt River, about two miles of river on this place, the game warden told me is some of the best stream fishing in Wyoming. It also had a full complement of ranch buildings including a huge barn. The barn has been gone for twenty or more years, but it is still referred to as “Clark’s barn.” Hack Miller, in his fishing column, mentions “Clark’s barn” area on Salt River. Father then bought two Leavitt ranches, side by side which were a mile long east and west, one had a house and out buildings on it. He then tried to buy the Sessions place which joined on the south, but Sessions would not sell. So he skipped Sessions and bought the next 160 acres from Hebe Smith. He also acquired a lot of foothill land for grazing.

At one time, Grandfather Clark, noting that Father had a large debt at the bank, decided to go to Star Valley to see if everything was all right. He got to Montpelier where he conveyed his uneasiness to Uncle Wilford, whereupon Uncle Wilford told him, “You don’t need to worry about Hyrum. He’s all right.” So Grandfather didn’t make the strenuous trip to Star Valley.

Father’s ranch was probably the largest single ranch ever owned in Star Valley. He was esteemed by his church and by his community. He had large powers and possessions, and a large family--surely he was a happy man. He maintained large holdings before, during, and through World War I and, with high prices for beef, was able to clear all of his debts.

31