John M. Clark

John Moorehead Clark (August 10, 1821 – June 22, 1902) was an American politician who served as Suffolk County Sheriff from 1855 to 1883. He was the first elected sheriff.

Early life and business career Clark was born on August 10, 1821, in Boston to Alexander and Matilda (Philips) Clark. He attended the Franklin School, where he studied under Richard Green Parker. He graduated in 1835 and went to work for Thomas B. Vose, Boston partner of the New Orleans commission house Bridge, Vose, & Co. He remained there until the business failed during the Panic of 1837. He then worked in the dry goods store of William P. Tenney, where he was with fellow dry goods salesman Eben Dyer Jordan. In 1840 he became a bookkeeper for Manning & Glover, a dry goods concern. From 1843 to 1846 he was a partner in the firm. He then became a member of Clark, Bingham, & Co., which shipped produce to San Francisco. He sold his interest in the business in 1854.

As sheriff, Clark oversaw the execution of four convicted murderers (James McGee, James McElhaney, George W. Pemberton, and Thomas W. Piper).

Personal life and death Clark attended the Bowdoin Square Baptist Church. On July 27, 1841, he became the first person baptised in the church.

Clark and his wife had two sons, George L. Clark (1850–1912) and John M. Clark Jr. (1856–1862). George L. Clark was a millionaire real estate man and a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1883 and 1884. He was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery.