Person Record

Metadata

Name

Clark, James Luther

Notes

James Luther Clark was born in Maine on April 17, 1824, the son of Aaron and Mercy Clark. He learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner at an early age. In 1851 he married Sarah Flint of Williamstown, Vermont. In 1855 they came to Oshkosh where he worked at his trade. From 1857 - 1862 he worked in the lumber industry as a supervisor at Henry Jewell's Mill. In 1862 he built a match splint factory on High Street after he and Daniel Ruggles perfected a round splint making machine. His product was first called "Western Matches". They also amnufactured wooden broom handles. In 1869 the factory burned down and a new one was erected, the name changed to "Star Matches". Sarah Clark helped adminster the factory until 1875 when she was injured in an accident and their son Herbert became the supervisor. At this time they were also manufacturing shingles. The facory was sold in 1880 to the "Diamond Match Company". In 1881 he erected a new factory and started "J. L. Clark Carriage Works" which he ran until his death on February 27, 1885.