Archives West Finding Aid

Willard Weld Clark was born on 17th January, 1879 in Lockport, New York. After he graduated from Cornell University, Willard went to the Philippines in late January 1903 to work for the U.S. Forest Service. While in the Philippines Willard Clark also became involved in the local mining industry with some of his friends and family. By November 1905, after spending some time in Washington D.C., Willard Clark had been sent to Arizona by the U.S. Forest Service. During his time there Clark helped to establish a Presbyterian church in Roosevelt, Arizona. In March 1906 Willard Weld Clark was promoted from Forest Assistant to Assistant Forest Inspector. This promotion caused him to move repeatedly, and would lead to his work in Utah. Clark was sent to Utah in late April of 1906. While in Utah he traveled throughout the state inspecting forest reserves and trying to administer them more efficiently. In December of 1906 Willard Weld Clark sold all of his Philippine mining shares, yielding a substantial profit. That same year he returned briefly to Washington D.C., before being assigned in March 1907 to work in the Cache National Forest near Logan, Utah. Willard Clark later would become the second supervisor of the Cache National Forest. On April 22nd 1908 Willard Weld Clark married Betsey Bamber. In the winter of 1908-1909 Willard Clark taught a forestry course at the Agricultural College of Utah (now U.S.U.). Clark taught the course because he believed that most forest rangers tended to be undereducated. On February 4th 1909 Willard and Betsey's only child, a daughter Ruth, was born. Willard Weld Clark made a trip up Logan Canyon on Saturday 17th July 1909. That day Clark was injured as he tried to mount a horse, when the pommel struck him in the abdomen. The injury initially caused only a little pain, but eventually a hemorrhage occurred. When Clark became ill medical assistance was summoned. The doctor did not think the injury too serious, but it soon developed into a severe case of pneumonia. Willard Clark died on Tuesday 20th July 1909. His remains were brought back to Logan, and his family and wife, who was in New York visiting relatives, were notified. They instructed that the body should be sent back to New York for burial.