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Everett B. Clark Seed Company
Milford, Connecticut
 Everett
Bryan Clark, the founder and for many years the head of The Everett B.
Clark Seed Company of Milford, passed his entire life in that town and was
a descendant of one of the prominent families of Connecticut. His father
was Bryan Clark and Everett B. Clark was reared at home and after
completing a public school education turned his attention to farming,
which he followed until 1857, when he went into the seed business, being
the pioneer in that line of activity in this part of the country. He
recognized the demand for garden seeds of uniformly high vitality and as
the seeds which he sold gave satisfaction the business grew rapidly. In
1862, however, his commercial career was interrupted by service in the
Civil war, as he put aside all private interests and joined Company G,
Twenty-seventh Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, with which he was at the
front for nine months. While guarding breastworks he, with other members
of his regiment, was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville and spent the
following night at Guiney's Station, within a few rods of the place where
Stonewall Jackson breathed his last. Later our subject was forced to walk
to Richmond, a distance of fifty miles, and for two weeks was in Libby
prison, after which he was paroled and sent to City Point, on the James
river, where he remained until mustered out of the army, July 22, 1863.
 Mr.
Clark returned home and engaged once more in seed raising, which he
followed throughout the remainder of his life. In 1890 he was joined by
his sons and the firm name became Everett B. Clark & Sons, which in 1897
was changed to The Everett B. Clark Seed Company. With the incorporation
of the concern Mr. Clark of this review became president, in which office
he continued until his demise. In 1905 he was succeeded in that office by
his son Herbert A., with another son, Frederick M. Clark as secretary and
treasurer. The incorporators of the concern were Everett B., Charlotte W.,
Herbert A., Arthur B. and Frederick M. Clark. The company has followed the
policy of not only raising seeds of the most popular varieties of
vegetables, but also of experimenting in new varieties and has been very
successful in that line. The business is now of national scope and branch
houses, growing stations and warehouses are located in East Jordan,
Michigan;
 Green
Bay, Wisconsin; St. Anthony, Idaho; Bozeman, Montana; and Denver,
Colorado. Especial attention is given to the raising of sweet corn, peas
and beans and the business of each branch is most systematically managed.
The company is one of the most important concerns engaged in the seed
business in the United States and it enjoys the highest reputation for
reliability. The company now has eight hundred acres of land in Orange and
its vicinity and the equipment for the raising, storing and distribution
of the seeds is complete and modern.
Mr. Clark married Miss Charlotte C.
Woodruff, a sister of Stiles D. Woodruff, a sketch of whom appears
elsewhere in this work. She still survives and is highly esteemed by all
who know her. By her marriage she became the mother of five children:
Herbert A., deceased; Walter E.; Frederick M.; Charlotte McDonald, of
Omaha, Nebraska; and Arthur B.
Mr. Clark gave his political allegiance to
the republican party and represented his town in the state legislature, in
which capacity he did much effective and far-reaching work for the public
good. Pride in his town and willingness to work for its advancement were
among his salient characteristics and he gladly cooperated with all
agencies seeking the upbuilding of the community. He held membership in
the Plymouth Congregational church and its teachings formed the guiding
principles of his life. He was honored not only as a business man of
unusual ability but also as a good citizen and a loyal friend.
Source: "Modern
History of New Haven and Eastern New Haven County," Volume II, The
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1918, pages 326-327.
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