William Henry Clark was an American lawyer, Democratic political figure, and former Corporation Counsel of New York City. He practiced with Bourke Cockran, advised New York County sheriffs, handled prominent criminal-defense cases, participated in Wall Street and real-estate ventures, and promoted thoroughbred and trotting racing.
Background
William Henry Clark was born on November 29, 1855, in Newark, New Jersey, into a Clark family that had been established and prominent in the state for several generations. He received his early education in the public and private schools of Newark. As a young man he moved toward the legal profession and began studying law in New York, first in the office of James M. Chapman and later under Bourke Cockran. His work with Cockran also brought him into practical Democratic politics and connected him with New York's political world.
Education
Clark was educated in Newark's public and private schools. He subsequently pursued legal studies in the New York offices of James M. Chapman and Bourke Cockran. He completed his legal preparation under Cockran and was admitted to the bar in 1882.
Career
Clark was admitted to the bar in 1882 and in 1883 entered into partnership with Bourke Cockran under the name Cockran & Clark. He left the partnership when he entered public legal service as counsel to the sheriff of New York County. He first served during the administration of Sheriff Davidson and was retained as legal adviser by Hugh J. Grant, who succeeded Davidson. This experience gave him extensive familiarity with New York City's legal affairs and prepared him for appointment as Corporation Counsel of the City of New York.
Grant appointed Clark Corporation Counsel when he became mayor. Clark served throughout Grant's administration and was reappointed by Mayor William L. Gilroy, remaining in office during Gilroy's administration. As Corporation Counsel, he was the principal legal adviser to the municipal government and supervised the city's legal interests. After the election of Republican Mayor William L. Strong and the resulting change in appointive offices, Clark returned to private practice and held no further public office, although he retained an active interest in political affairs.
In private practice, Clark represented defendants in several prominent cases. He defended Sharp and Kerr in the Broadway Railroad bribery cases and Maurice B. Flynn in a conspiracy prosecution connected with the Department of Public Works. After leaving the Corporation Counsel's office, he also became active in Wall Street speculation and real-estate investment. He was regarded as an enterprising operator and was credited with making a substantial fortune through real estate. His later interests included horse racing and the promotion of trotting. He established a racing stable, owned the horse Banastar, which won the Brooklyn Handicap, and helped organize Empire City Trotting Track near Yonkers, contributing substantially to its initial cost. Declining health in late 1899 forced him to suspend his work temporarily and seek rest at Lakewood, New Jersey. After a brief improvement, he returned to New York, suffered a relapse, and died on February 17, 1900.
Achievements
Served as Corporation Counsel of the City of New York during the administrations of Mayors Hugh J. Grant and William L. Gilroy.
Successfully represented defendants in prominent New York prosecutions, including the Broadway Railroad bribery cases and the Maurice B. Flynn conspiracy case.
Owned the racehorse Banastar, which won the Brooklyn Handicap.
Helped establish Empire City Trotting Track near Yonkers and contributed substantially to its initial financing.
Politics
Clark became active in Democratic politics under the influence of Bourke Cockran and was identified for many years with Tammany Hall. In the later years of his life, he disagreed with the organization's leadership and withdrew from its active direction.
Membership
Clark was associated with Tammany Hall and was prominent in its councils for many years. He belonged to the Metropolitan Club, Union Club, Tuxedo Club, and Down-Town Association, and was a member of the Brown University Alumni Association. He was also a patron of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Active participant and prominent figure in the organization's councils; later disagreed with its leadership and withdrew from active involvement.
Tammany Hall
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United States
Metropolitan Club
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United States
Union Club
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United States
Tuxedo Club
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United States
Down-Town Association
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United States
Brown University Alumni Association
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United States
Personality
Contemporary biographical accounts described Clark as genial, socially well connected, and generous toward friends. His response to the losses incurred by friends after the mishap involving his racehorse Banastar was characterized as more concerned with their fortunes than with his own.
Physical Characteristics:
Contemporary descriptions characterized Clark as a man of handsome appearance and genial manner.
Interests
Wall Street speculation, real-estate investment, horse racing, and the promotion of trotting races.
Sport & Clubs
Thoroughbred horse racing and trotting races.
Connections
Clark was married and had two sons. His wife and sons survived him. During his final illness, he went to Lakewood, New Jersey, for rest at the urging of his physician, relatives, and friends, but returned to New York before suffering a fatal relapse.
