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from The Republican (Danville, Indiana)--issue of Thursday, October 31, 1912—page 1, column 4:

James L. Clark

JAMES L. CLARK
Sketch of Man Who Richly Deserves Return to Bench

Judge James L. Clark, candidate for re-election to the bench of the 55th Judicial Circuit, was born Dec. 17, 1854 in Liberty township, north of Cartersburg. His father died, leaving the five children and the mother who only by industry and the help of the children as they reached an earning age was able to keep the little folks together.

The son, James, by close application in the winter months qualified to become a teacher and taught for two years. In 1876, he became the telegraph operator for the Vandalia company at Cartersburg and so continued for ten years, applying himself closely to the study of the law in his spare time. Ten years later, he came to Danville to practice law. A vacancy occurred as deputy in the clerk's office under William R. McClelland and Mr. Clark was offered the position which he accepted. He so served for two years and then opened a law office. In 1892, he and Enoch G. Hogate formed a partnership in law and continued in the practice until Mr. Hogate moved to Bloomington. Mr. Clark remained in the practice until he was elected to the bench, six years ago.

As a man, as a lawyer, as a judge, James L. Clark measures up to the high standard demanded by the most exacting. Of upright character, calm and deliberative, not moved by impulse, seeking ever what is the law on a proposition, he has won for himself on the bench an enviable reputation at home and abroad. He understands the law as an exact science and so highly is he esteemed by attorneys in other counties that they are always pleased when their cases have been sent to this county on change of venue. So numerous have these changes been that the local bar has profited largely by reason of this additional business.

It seems to have been Judge Clark's fate, because of this recognized ability to have presented to him many of the knotty, tangled cases from adjoining counties, questions that involve delicate points and property rights running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

These problems have been disposed of, not to the satisfaction of all, because that is impossible in a law suit, but in a manner that has won the highest praise from all, that here was a judge endeavoring to do his duty as he saw it, honestly, fearlessly and impartially.

Judge Clark, for duty done and burdens borne, deserves re-election. He appeals to the citizenship of the county, to its manhood, to its integrity and his appeal does not fall on deaf ears.