Lewis Whitehouse Clark

Portrait photograph of New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Lewis Whitehouse Clark.

Lewis Whitehouse Clark (August 19, 1828–May 28, 1900) was a Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court from 1877 to 1898, serving as Chief Justice in 1898.

Born at Barnstead, New Hampshire.

Teacher, lawyer, state legislator, jurist.

Lewis Whitehouse Clark was the son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Whitehouse) Clark, and was born in Barnstead, August 19, 1828, his father being a prominent farmer of that town, who held several town offices and served as representative to the General Court. The son, after attending the common schools of his native town and studying at Pittsfieldand Atkinson academies, was in 181(> matriculated at Dartmouth college, and in due course was graduated in the class of 1 850, holding a good position as a scholar and being made a member of the 4> B K society.

Following his graduation, he was principal of the Pittsfield academy from August, 1 850, to December, 1852, meanwhile studying law with Hon. Moses Xorris and Hon. A. F. L. Norris, both of Pittsfield, and was admitted to the bar of New Hampshire at Laconia, September 3, 1852. In January, 1853, he began practice at Pittsfield as a partner of A. F. L. Norris, but a year later he formed a partnership, which lasted about two years, with a former classmate, Richard Hayes. From 1856 to IStiO he practised alone in Pittsfield, and April 1 of the latter year he removed to Manchester, which continued his home until his death. He at once entered into a copartnership with Hon. George W. Morrison and Hon. Clinton W. Stanley, and the firm of Morrison, Stanley & Clark continued about six years and did a very large and successful business. Afterwards Mr. Clark was a partner of Hon. Henry H. Huse until May 24, 1872, when he was appointed attorney-general of the state by Gov. James A. Weston. His service in that office lasted until August, 1876, when he resumed general practice. August 13, 1877, he was appointed an associate justice of the Supreme Court by Gov. Benjamin F. Prescott, which position he filled with eminent ability until in May, 1898, on the death of Chief Justice Carpenter, Gov. George A. Ramsdell promoted him to be chief justice. In this office he had but little time to serve, for on August 19, 1898, his term expired by limitation of age. He then opened an office in Manchester for practice as an attorney, and on May 28, 1900, he passed on to his final reward.

Mr. Clark was married in December, 1852, to Miss Helen M., daughter of Capt. William Knowlton of Pittsfield, and she, with one daughter, Mary Helen Clark, and one son. Rev. John Lew Clark, survives him.

In addition to the official positions named above, Judge Clark was a member of the state house of representatives from Pittsfield in 1856 and 1857, and was subsequently the Democratic candidate for congress, and after his retirement from the bench he was referee in bankruptcy under the law of 1898.

Died at Manchester, New Hampshire.

References

Category:New Hampshire Supreme Court justices