James Clark (Kentucky politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Clark
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| 13th Governor of Kentucky | |
| In office August 30, 1836 – August 27, 1839 |
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| Lieutenant | Charles A. Wickliffe |
| Preceded by | James Turner Morehead |
| Succeeded by | Charles A. Wickliffe |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 3rd district |
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| In office August 1, 1825 – March 3, 1831 |
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| Preceded by | Henry Clay |
| Succeeded by | Chilton Allan |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 1st district |
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| In office March 4, 1813 – April 8, 1816 |
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| Preceded by | Anthony New |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Fletcher |
| Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives | |
| In office 1807–1808 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | January 16, 1779 Bedford County, Virginia |
| Died | August 27, 1839 (aged 60) Frankfort, Kentucky |
| Political party | Whig |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic Republican |
| Spouses | Susan Forsythe Margaret Buckner Thornton |
| Relations | Brother of Christopher H. Clark Uncle of John Bullock Clark |
| Residence | Holly Rood |
| Profession | Lawyer |
James Clark (born January 16, 1779 – died August 27, 1839) was an important American politician from the 1800s. He held many different jobs in Kentucky's government. He served as a judge, a representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, and even the Governor of Kentucky. His career began in 1807.
One of the most important events in his career happened in 1822. As a judge, he said a law about debt was against the U.S. Constitution. This decision made many lawmakers angry. It led to a big argument known as the Old Court-New Court controversy. Later, Clark helped start the Whig Party in Kentucky. He was elected governor in 1836. As governor, his biggest achievement was helping to create a state board of education. This led to public schools being set up in every county. James Clark died while still in office in 1839.
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Early Life and Family
James Clark was born on January 16, 1779. His parents were Robert and Susannah Clark. He was born near the Peaks of Otter in Bedford County, Virginia. In 1794, his family moved to Clark County, Kentucky.
James Clark studied law with his brother, Christopher, in Virginia. He became a lawyer in 1797. After looking for a good place to start his law practice, he returned to Kentucky. He began working as a lawyer in Winchester.
Clark married Susan Forsythe on July 2, 1809. They had four children together. Susan died in 1825. James Clark married again on March 3, 1829, to Margaret Buckner Thornton. Sadly, his second wife died just days after he was elected governor in 1836.
Political Career in Kentucky
James Clark was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives for two terms, in 1807 and 1808. On March 29, 1810, he was appointed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals. He served as a judge there until 1812.
He was then elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1812. He resigned from this role in 1816. He then became a circuit court judge.
The Williams v. Blair Case
From 1817 to 1824, Clark served as a judge for Clark and Bourbon counties. In 1822, he made a very important decision in the case of Williams v. Blair. He ruled that a state law allowing people to delay paying their debts was against the Contract Clause of the U.S. Constitution. He said the law "impaired the obligation of contracts." This meant it interfered with agreements people had made.
This decision made the Kentucky lawmakers very angry. They tried to remove him from his job, but they did not have enough votes. In October 1823, the Kentucky Court of Appeals agreed with Judge Clark's decision. This led to a big political fight called the Old Court-New Court controversy. Lawmakers tried to get rid of the Court of Appeals and create a new court that would agree with them.
Serving in Congress and State Senate
In 1825, Clark was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives again. He filled the seat left empty when Henry Clay became Secretary of State. Clark was re-elected twice. He was in charge of the Committee on Territories. He decided not to run for re-election in 1831.
After his time in Congress, Clark was elected to the state Senate. He served there from 1832 to 1835. He was part of the Committee for Internal Improvements. In 1835, he was chosen as the Speaker of the Senate. This meant he led the Senate when the Lieutenant Governor was not there.
Becoming Governor of Kentucky
James Clark helped to create the Whig Party in Kentucky. Because of his efforts, he was chosen as the party's candidate for governor in 1836. He won the election, defeating Matthew Flournoy.
As governor, Clark wanted to make many changes. He suggested creating a public school system. He also wanted to make the state auditor's office stronger and fight against rising crime. Clark believed banks should be responsible. He also strongly supported the rights of slave owners. He asked neighboring states like Ohio and Indiana to help return escaped slaves.
The lawmakers listened to some of Clark's ideas. They added a second auditor to the state auditor's office. They also created a state board of education and an office for a state superintendent. County school commissioners were also created in every county. This was a big step toward public education in Kentucky. They also passed laws to increase rewards for catching escaped slaves. However, they did not agree to stop the spread of abolitionist ideas, as Clark had asked.
Death
James Clark died while he was still governor on August 27, 1839. He was buried in a private cemetery near his home in Winchester, Kentucky. His home, Holly Rood, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
See also
- Governor Clark House
- Old Court-New Court controversy
