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Permanent LinkSenator Ezekiel Clark View All Years
HON. EZEKIEL CLARK died at his home in Iowa City June 26, 1898, aged eighty-one years. He had figured prominently in the history of the State for over fifty years, having a wide reputation as a financier. His services to Gov. Kirkwood (whose wife was his sister) in raising funds for the war of the rebellion, were invaluable. The Governor’s indebtedness to him was freely acknowledged. He is also credited with being the originator of the idea of issuing greenbacks. During the financial crisis of 1873 it was due to his firmness and energy that his own bank and many others came safely through the ordeal. Mr. Clark was born in Pennsylvania January 17, 1817. He first visited Iowa in 1849 and the following year located in Iowa City. He has ever since been active in many enterprises, especially coal mining, milling and banking. He was a member of the State senate during the Tenth, Eleventh, Sixteenth and Seventeenth General Assemblies, and served for some time as treasurer of the State University.