Robert Campbell Clarke Jr.

Narrative:

     Robert Campbell Clarke Jr. was born on 9 Sep 1874 in Atlanta, Georgia.^7,8,9
     He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Atlanta, Fulton Co., Georgia, in the household of his parents, Robert C. Clarke and Mary H. Lowry.¹⁶ His father died on 24 Apr 1893, when Robert was 18 years old.¹⁷
     Robert was a clerk at The Clarke Hardware Co., the firm in which his father had been a principal, by 1894. He remained there at least into the next year.¹⁸
     Robert traveled to Japan, leaving the U.S. 27 Feb 1894. While in Tokyo he applied for a U.S. passport, apparently not having obtained one before his departure. He said he would return to the U.S. within one year, and wanted the passport for the "purpose of travel."¹⁹
     He was engaged in a new business by 1898. That year he and T. A. Davis Jr. were listed as managers of the Regal Shoe, at 60 Whitehall St.. It seems to have been a short-lived venture, as it was not listed in the prior year, and another man was listed as manager the following year.²⁰
     Robert served as a private in Co. F, 1st Regiment, of the Georgia infantry in the Spanish-American War. He enlisted 21 Jun 1898 and was discharged 18 Nov 1898.^21,22,23
     He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Atlanta, Fulton Co., Georgia, in the household of his mother.⁶

Becoming a New York Businessman --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     He reported his occupation as a capitalist in 1900.²⁴ He moved to New York about 1904 to engage in business there.²⁵ While various accounts report he was successful in business in New York, none identify what business he was in. He had retired from active business because of his health by 1910.^26,27,28,29
     Robert married Laura B. Saunders, daughter of John Bartlett Saunders and Bobella Cobb, on 16 Apr 1904 in Manhattan, New York.^10,11 After their marriage they sailed to Bermuda, to return by 1 May 1904 to the Hotel Alabama, East Eleventh St., New York, a new "fireproof" apartment hotel.³⁰

Seeking Relief from Tuberculosis --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Robert and Laura moved to Colorado by 1910. They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Denver, Colorado, at 737 Newport St., enumerated 26 Apr 1910, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgatge.³¹
     They moved to California about 1912, reportedly living in Pasadena, though they have not been found in the city directories there. While living there it seems they also spent time in other locations seeking to improve his health.^32,33
     Robert registered for the draft for World War I on 12 Sep 1918, while living at 737 Newport St., Denver, Colorado. However that address was crossed out and replaced in another hand with St. Joseph's Sanatorium, Albuquerque, New Mexico. He reported he was unemployed, and was tuberculor.³
     Robert and Laura appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Maricopa Co., Arizona, as "guests" at the Desert Inn Sanitarium, enumerated 4 Feb 1920. Her daughter Nell was listed as living with him.³⁴ The facility was identified in the census as a "hospital or sanatorium," but the doctor's name as "head" makes it clear they were at Dr. Francis Redewill's Desert Inn Sanitarium six miles east of Phoenix. The inn catered to a wealthy clientele, was situated on 100 acres in a grove of ash and pepper trees. A large building "with every modern convenience" included "luxurious guest rooms." There was also a "delightful colony of cozy cottages" each with a living room and a fully screened sleeping room, "so that one sleeps practically out-of-doors." Guests could take the "Luxurious touring cars" that ran frequently to the city, ride horses, or play tennis.³⁵
     On 3 Jan 1921 Robert applied from Arizona for an invalid pension based on his service in the Spanish-American war.^36,37 His pension was approved 18 Feb 1922, payable from the date of his application, at $30 per month.³⁸
     Robert died on 23 Apr 1924 in Pasadena, Los Angeles Co., California, at age 49.^12,13,14 He was buried in Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, Fulton Co., Georgia.¹⁵
     His will was probated in Sep 1925 in Fulton Co.. In it he left $2,000 to his nephew, Thomas M. Clarke, and $1,000 to a chapter of Delta Psi fraternity in Massachusetts. The balance of his estate, which was estimated as between $60,000 and $80,000, was to be divided equally between his three sisters.³⁹