In the early days of SPUHS the chief athletic sport was baseball, and Bob played with his classmates. One of the early “stars” to come out of Santa Paula was Joseph Wilhout, Class of 1903, who was a sensational outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.Bob’s first connection with a lawsuit came at age 17, as a junior in high school, when he assisted Bill Chormicle with a case. Following high school Bob attended lectures at what has now become the law department of USC. Bob was admitted to practice in April 1900, a banner year for him. It was in this year that he joined the Masonic Lodge, was elected to the Legislature of California, and was married.On his return from the session at the Legislature Bob resumed general law practice in Santa Paula and became the first city attorney. After seven years of practice he was elected to preside over the court, which he did for six years. He then returned to the practice of law, where he had more than 35 years at the bar. Bob and George Farrand opened a law office in Los Angeles, where they practiced for many years.In 1936 Bob wrote and had published a book, “Narrative of a Native.” This book is a “must read” for those interested in early Santa Paula history. In his 160 pages he relates experiences of over 1,500 early Santa Paulans and life in Santa Paula.
Robert M. Clarke, Class of 1897
March 15, 2002
Santa Paula High School
By B. J. Harding, President, SPUHS Alumni Association
Biography #167 (Have you submitted yours?)Robert Montgomery Clarke was born in 1825 in Massachusetts. He came west to the mines in California in 1849, locating in Suisun in 1952. It was here that he met his bride, Cynthia Corey, born in 1846 in Illinois.The Clarkes had two daughters (later to become Mrs. Beckley and Mrs. Couch), and after the financial crash of 1873 they moved to Ventura County. On March 5, 1879 son Robert was born in Santa Paula on the Clarke ranch, later to be known as the Bill Boosey ranch. The dry years of 1877 and 1879 completed the ruin of Robert Sr.’s fortunes, and it was in Santa Paula in 1883 that he passed away. Cynthia A. Clarke was the first woman in the village of Santa Paula to deal in millinery goods, and in this profession she was able to support her family.Robert Jr. (Bob) was delivered by Dr. S. P. Guiberson, who was not only a doctor, but a sage, philosopher, dentist, lawyer and druggist. As a child, Bob spent a great deal of time with “Doc,” reading his stacks of books on every subject. He was encouraged by Doc to earn a little money writing up location claims and affidavits of assessment work. After Doc Guiberson’s death his job was taken over by Hugh O’Hara, who divided up the work between George Farrand (Class of 1896) and Bob. Doc was the first man in Santa Paula to own and operate a typewriter and, at the age of 12, Bob was taught how to use this machine. Between the typewriter and the stacks of books, Bob became determined to study law.When Bob started SPUHS the principal was Watson T. Nicholson, who was assisted by Miss Florence Beaver. David Sneeden succeeded Professor Nicholson, and his assistants were Emma Younglove and Professor J. C. Owen. Sneeden was succeeded by Miss Younglove, who was principal for a number of years. Bob’s graduating class consisted of seven members. They were Fannie Boor, Ruth Fleisher, Charles Gowan, Sinclair Hammond, Benjamin Haugh, Oney Nicely and Bob.In the 1870s and ’80s all Fourth of July celebrations were held at Kenney’s Grove near Sespe. Among the favorite speakers at these events were Ari Hopper and Judge Jonathan Hines. In 1882, Bob, then 3 years of age, got away from his mother’s apron strings and scrambled up to the platform. Judge Hines said, “Never mind, he will make a speech here himself some day.” Just 20 years thereafter, Bob fulfilled the prophecy.
