An important manufacturer and a Masonic leader in the State of Rhode Island for many years, George Clarence Clark, general treasurer of Rhode Island, occupies a distinguished place in the life of the Commonwealth. Mr. Clark was born at West Mansfield, Massachusetts, on November 13, 1878, a son of George Adolphus and Mary Elizabeth (Pomfret) Clark. His father was a jeweler by occupation, and at one time was sergeant of police at Providence. Both paternal and maternal families have long been established in New England.
George Clarence Clark, of this record, received his educational training in Bridgham Grammar School, and Providence Technical High School, from which he was graduated in 1895. He began his active career soon afterwards with F. A. Chase and Company, manufacturers of mill supplies at Providence, and later became associated with Edward Parkinson in a similar enterprise. In November, 1907, Mr. Clark took over the business of Edward Parkinson, and since that time has continued its operation under the name of the Edward Parkinson Manufacturing Company, manufacturing mill and weavers supplies, and general mill parts for cotton, woolen and silk mills. As its executive head he has maintained the high standards long associated with the Parkinson Company, and has guided it with every success.
Mr. Clark is a Republican in politics and has exercised an important influence in party councils within the State. It was natural that his services should be sought for public office, and he has considered it no less than his civic duty to answer these calls. From 1915 to 1927 Mr. Clark was representative in the General Assembly from the Twenty-first District, and in the latter year took over the duties of general treasurer of the State, to which office he had been elected on the Republican ticket. His services, both in the Legislature and as General Treasurer have been of genuine value to the State.
Fraternally Mr. Clark is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of What Cheer Lodge, of which he is a Past Master, and of all higher bodies of both York and Scottish Rites, including Providence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is Past High Priest; Providence Council, Royal and Select Masters, in which he has been principal conductor of work; Cavalry Commandery, No. 13, of the Knights Templar; and Rhode Island Consistory of the Scottish Rite. He is also Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Chapter of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Senior Warden of the Chapter of Rose Croix, and Potentate of Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Clark is a member, in addition, of the Pomham Club, the Shrine Club, and St. Andrew’s Club. With his family he worships in the Baptist faith, his wife and son being members of Calvary Baptist Church at Providence.
On May 20, 1896, in Providence, George Clarence Clark married Prudence M. Parkinson, daughter of Edward and Prudence M. (Dingley) Parkinson. They are the parents of one son, Edward Parkinson. Mr. Clark’s offices as General Treasurer are maintained in the State House at Providence, while the family residence is situated at No. 9 Daboll Street in this city.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.