James Clark | |
|---|---|
 Portrait fromFifty Years of Food Reform (1898) | |
| Born | (1830-10-18)18 October 1830 Bolton, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 7 June 1905(1905-06-07) (aged 74) Salford, Lancashire, England |
| Resting place | Weaste Cemetery, Salford, England |
| Occupation(s) | Minister, activist |
| Years active | 1857–1905 |
| Known for | Vegetarianism activism |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 7 |
| Relatives | Edwin Collier (brother-in-law) |
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James Clark (18 October 1830 – 7 June 1905) was an EnglishBible Christian Church minister and activist fortemperance andvegetarianism. Clark was deeply involved in social causes, including relief efforts during theCotton Famine and service on the Salford Board of Guardians. As honorary secretary of theVegetarian Society, he represented the organisation at international congresses and helped found theInternational Vegetarian Union.
James Clark was born on 18 October 1830 inBolton, Lancashire.[1] He was Christened inBolton le Moors on 2 January 1831.[2] Clark's family had a history oftuberculosis.[3]
Clark moved toManchester as a youth and began his career in a shipping house, where he later became a buyer. Despite the demands of his work, he attended evening classes associated with theBible Christian Church in King-street, Salford.[4]
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In 1848, Clark became ateetotaller and worked for the Manchester Temperance Society. He adoptedvegetarianism in 1851 and was ordained as a minister of the Bible Christian Church, eventually becoming the pastor atWhitstuntide in 1858. This denomination, established in 1809, mandated abstinence from intoxicants and meat. One of Clark's ministerial predecessors wasJoseph Brotherton, Salford'sMember of Parliament.[4] Clark remained as a pastor for nearly 50 years,[5] continuing his church duties in his later years, despite failing health.[1]
Clark was actively involved in relief efforts during theCotton Famine and served on the Relief Committees in Salford. Following the Broughton floods of 1866, he dedicated much time to aiding those affected. He was a long-time member of the Salford Board of Guardians, advocating for significant reforms. Upon his resignation as chair in 1889, he received an address signed by every member, regardless of party affiliation.[4]
A committedLiberal and proponent of education, Clark taught at the Salford Lyceum and served two terms on the Salford School Board. He oversaw large Sunday and day schools within the Bible Christian Church, regarded among the best in the borough. He had a particular interest in the flourishingBand of Hope and held senior roles in theUnited Kingdom Alliance, the Manchester and Salford Temperance Union, and the Lancashire and Cheshire Band of Hope Union.[4]
Clark served as honorary secretary to theVegetarian Society for many years.[3] In 1902, he chaired the annual meeting of the society. Clark also represented the society at international congresses, including those in Chicago (1893), St. Louis (1903), Paris, and Cologne. He was active up until a month before his death, attending the May meeting of the Vegetarian Society in Cambridge. Additionally, Clark helped establish theInternational Vegetarian Union.[5]
Clark married Cordelia Collier in 1854. Her brotherEdwin served as a deacon of the Bible Christian Church and was vice president and treasurer of the Vegetarian Society. They had seven children: Ernest, Bertha, Maud, Harold, Ethel, Arthur, and Alfred. Arthur was an active vegetarian. His wife suffered a seizure in 1889, worsening until her death in 1893 at age 69, and was buried inWeaste Cemetery, Salford.[1]
Clark died at his home in Salford[4] on 7 June 1905 at the age of 74, following aparalytic stroke.[1] He was also buried in Weaste Cemetery.[6]
Clark's death was reported as a loss to the Bible Christian Church, his local community, and the causes he supported. In the days before he died, he reportedly said he wished to die while serving his congregation. Representatives of several organisations, including the Vegetarian Society, attended his memorial service. Contemporary tributes described him as charitable and committed to assisting the poor. Two memorials were erected in his memory, and his successor referred to his humane outlook and concern to relieve suffering. Contemporaries credited him with important work for the Vegetarian Society at a time when the organisation faced difficulties.[7]
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