James A Clark

NOTE: There are a number of records relating to a James A. Clark born in NY around the same year, some of which may pertain to this James Clark, but not all have been followed up.

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1880 Census - this seems likely to be James (image available). He is a boarder with Isabella Thompson and her 3 children, working as a proofreader. (A later document says he is a printer.)
Event Place Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Gender Male
Age 28
Marital Status Single
Race White
Occupation Proof Reader
Relationship to Head of Household Other
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Other
Birth Year (Estimated) 1852
Birthplace New York, United States
Father's Birthplace New York, United States
Mother's Birthplace New York, United States
Sheet Letter A
Sheet Number 23
Person Number 5
Volume 1
"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6C4-SWZ : 24 August 2017), James A Clark in household of Isabella K Thompson, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, United States; citing enumeration district ED 44, sheet 23A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0123; FHL microfilm 1,254,123.

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He then marries one of the daughters in the household he has been boarding in:
Birth Date 1852
Age 29
Spouse's Name Marian V. Thompson
Spouse's Birth Date 1859
Spouse's Age 22
Event Date 02 Apr 1881
Event Place Washington, District Of Columbia
"District of Columbia Marriages, 1830-1921," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWM9-1QV : 11 February 2018), James A. Clark and Marian V. Thompson, 02 Apr 1881; citing Washington, District Of Columbia, reference cn 4923; FHL microfilm 2,025,888.

The marriage is also recorded in church records:
Name James A. Clark
Spouse's Name Marian V. Thompson
Event Date 02 Apr 1881
"District of Columbia Marriages, 1830-1921," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F71C-TMB : 11 February 2018), James A. Clark and Marian V. Thompson, 02 Apr 1881; citing Union Methodist Episcopal Church, Washington, District Of Columbia, District Of Columbia, reference ; FHL microfilm 1,303,264.

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(Marian's death at an early age is shown by her grave record, August 1881.)

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24 Feb 1886. Married in Alexandria, Virginia. James is 34 (b. 1852 NYC) and Eleanor 30 (b. 1856, Rochester, NY). James' parents' names and Eleanor's father's name is given. Both are shown as widowed. (?) "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR7W-S61 : 11 February 2018), James A. Clark and Eleanor Hart, 24 Feb 1886; citing Alexandria, Virginia, reference No 51; FHL microfilm 30,205.

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Alexandria Gazette (DC), February 07, 1887, Image 1 "Tragedy in Washington" (see attachment under Sources). This article tells in some detail the story of Frank A. Clark, printer, shooting his father-in-law Eli (who is thought to be dying, but apparently survives this) on Pennsylvania Avenue. Eli has characterised James as a "worthless, shiftless sort of fellow", and the article states that although Clark had moved to Charleston, SC for work, had not sent any money home and had not supported his wife (Eleanor). Eli and Eleanor had in the meantime set up a successful confectionary business. Eli's wife (this must be his 3rd wife, Lucy) had been ill in hospital for some time, and Eleanor had also recently had to be admitted to hospital with an illness. (It says that Eli is 65, but he must have been younger than this at the time.)
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85025007/1887-02-07/ed-1/...

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The Washington Critic., February 25, 1887, Image 4: "Eli Hart's Assailant Held" (see also under Sources). This is a follow-up story to the shooting (see above), which states that Eli has recovered enough to appear in court, where his son-in-law James is being held on a charge of assault to kill. The Court allowed the case to proceed to Criminal Court.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82000205/1887-02-25/ed-1/...

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15 Aug 1887. Birth record of son (as yet unnamed) shows both parents as born NY; mother Eleanor Hart Clark; father's name James A. Clark. Perhaps a still birth or infant death?
"District of Columbia Births and Christenings, 1830-1955," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F756-YX4 : 10 March 2018), Eleanor Hart Clark in entry for Clark, 15 Aug 1887; citing Washington, District of Columbia, reference cn 47682; FHL microfilm 2,114,535.

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The Morning Times (Wash. DC), March 27, 1896, Page 8, image 8: Eleanor Clark has brought suit for divorce against James A. Clark. The papers in the case have been locked in the safe.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024442/1896-03-27/ed-1/...

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The Morning Times., May 20, 1896, Page 7, Image 7: Legal notice recording court order by the Supreme Court of DC, 19 May 1896, for James A. Clark to appear within 40 days or the case will be proceeded with; divorce on the grounds of cruelty.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024442/1896-05-20/ed-1/...

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From SmartMatch:
James A. Clark - FamilySearch Family Tree

Birth: 1852 - New York, United States
Death: 1889 Parents: William Clark, Susanna Clark (born Boyd)
Wife: Marian Virginia Clark (born Thompson)
Siblings: Margaret Clark, David CLARK, William H Clark, Mary Ann McAlpine (born Clark)

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