Carey, Charles Henry.  "History of Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer
Historical Pub. Co., 1922.  pp. 343-4.

CHARLES NOBLE CLARKE

Charles Noble Clarke conducts one of the finest pharmaceutical establishments of
the Hood River valley, his store being well appointed in every particular, while
Hood River classes him with its most progressive merchants. He was born in the
state of Kansas in 1874, his parents being Levi and Mary J. (Keyes) Clarke. His
father was of English descent but the family has for many generations been
represented in Pennsylvania. In the maternal line Mr. Clarke comes of Welsh
ancestry, while representatives of the Keyes family were among the earliest of
the pioneers of Vermont and were prominent in connection with the history of New
England. In the year 1889 Levi Clarke removed with his family to Oregon,
selecting The Dalles as his place of abode. There he established a tinner,
plumbing and steamfitting business, having early been trained in that line of
work. His being about the first thoroughly up-to-date business of the kind in
the community he at once attained success, enjoying a large patronage for a
number of years. In 1897 he retired from business and removed to Hood River.
Charles N. Clarke of this review was largely educated in the schools of
Eldorado, Kansas, and also attended school at The Dalles. When his textbooks
were put aside he entered a drug store there in order to acquaint himself with
pharmacy and having obtained his license he continued in the practice of his
profession at The Dalles for eight years, most of the time in the store of his
brother, F. J. Clarke, with whom he remained until the brother opened a drug
store in Portland, Oregon. In August, 1908, Charles N. Clarke opened a drug
business in Hood River, where he has continued. During the twelve years of his
residence here he has kept in touch with the trend of progress and improvement
and his establishment today ranks among the best and most progressive stores of
the kind in the state. He carries a complete stock of drugs, chemicals and
druggists' sundries and is accounted one of the best compounders of
prescriptions in central Oregon, naturally making a specialty of that
department. His store is situated at Oak and Third streets and is enjoying a
deservedly large patronage from all over the county and also from across the
river in Washington.

In 1890 Mr. Clarke was united in marriage at Dufur, Oregon, to Miss Eva L.
Slusher, whose parents were well known pioneer residents of Wasco county. Mr.
and Mrs. Clarke have three children: Beryl, a student at the University of
Washington; Thomas, a sturdy, handsome boy; and Charlotte, who with her brother,
is a student
in the graded schools of Hood River.

Mr. Clarke is a member of the Masonic order and is a past master of the lodge
and a past high priest of the chapter. He has also been worthy patron of the
Eastern Star and belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, to the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Knights of Pythias. He is
likewise a member of the United Artisans and along professional lines is
connected with the Oregon State Pharmaceutical Association. He belongs to the
Commercial Club, of which he has been president, and to the Hood River Branch of
the Oregon Retail Merchants Association. He enjoys the distinction of being the
pioneer business man of Hood River, for all of the establishments which preceded
him in the city have either changed hands or been discontinued. Mrs. Clarke is
the owner of a ranch of eighty acres at Dufur, twenty acres of which is in
orchard and the balance in wheat and meadow. Mr. Clarke is a great lover of fine
horses and has owned some of the best produced in the state, including Scarlet
Letter, one of Oregon's most widely known sires, a fine Hambletonian. The home
of the Clarke family in Hood River is a handsome colonial dwelling standing in
the midst of large grounds adorned by many beautiful flowers and trees, and the
family occupies a most enviable position in the social circles of the city.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2006 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. 
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.