Myron H. Clark

Myron Holley Clark
19th Governor of New York
In office January 1, 1855 – December 31, 1856
Lieutenant	Henry Jarvis Raymond
Preceded by	Horatio Seymour
Succeeded by	John Alsop King
Personal details
Born	October 23, 1806(1806-10-23) Naples, New York
Died	August 23, 1892(1892-08-23) (aged 85) Canandaigua, New York
Political party	Whig

Myron Holley Clark (October 23, 1806 – August 23, 1892) was an American politician from the U.S. state of New York.

Biography

Clark was born in Naples, Ontario County, New York on October 23, 1806. He served in the state's militia as a lieutenant colonel and then entered politics, first serving as President of the then-village of Canandaigua, New York, and eventually becoming sheriff of Ontario County. He served as a member of the New York State Senate from 1852 to 1854 and was elected the 19th Governor of New York in 1854 the closest gubernatorial election in New York State history. He served as governor from 1855 to 1856.

As Governor, Clark was noted for his meddling with militia appointments, causing the resignation of the state Adjutant General John Watts de Peyster.^{[citation needed]}

Clark made several attempts to force prohibition in the state and signed a prohibition law while governor, but the law was declared unconstitutional by the New York Court of Appeals after a short time. His steadfast advocating of temperance led to his nomination on the Prohibition ticket to run again for Governor in 1874.

He was also involved in railroad consolidation, but kept the fares low.

Clark died in Canandaigua, New York on August 23, 1892. He is interred at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Mary Clark Thompson was his daughter; as a memorial to Clark, in 1915 she presented a scenic and geologically significant tract of land to New York State that is now part of Clark Reservation State Park. Comptroller Clark Williams was his grandson.

References

• National Governors Association website - [1]

Political offices
Preceded by Horatio Seymour	Governor of New York 1855–1856	Succeeded by John A. King

Persondata
Name	Clark, Myron H.
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	October 23, 1806
Place of birth	Naples, New York
Date of death	August 23, 1892
Place of death	Canandaigua, New York