Grand Rapids Herald Review

Former Grand Rapids Man Wins High Place

Harry A. Clark has been named general manager of the Bisbee properties of the Calumet & Arizona copper mines, in Arizona. This announcement did not create a great deal of interest in Grand Rapids, until it was learned that Mr. Clark, who takes this position following the recent resignation of Gen. John C. Greenway, was the same Harry Clark who was at one time machinist in the Itasca Paper company mills in Grand Rapids. From a machinist keeping the wheels turning in a paper mill to the managership of one of the world's largest copper mines is a long distance, and Mr. Clark has traveled it in a comparatively few years.

When A. C. Bossard was superintendent of the paper mill here, he sought for a machinist to keep the newly installed machinery working as it should. The master mechanic who had placed the machinery here recommended Mr. Clark, who, he said, was working in a machine shop in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, but who was too good to let go. Mr. Bossard sent for him, and Mr. Clark fulfilled the predictions. He made good here.

The Oliver Iron Mining company started development of the Canisteo district about 20 years ago, and Harry Clark, realizing that there were more opportunities there than in the paper mill, asked permission of Mr. Bossard to put in an application for a position. Mr. Bossard cheerfully gave him a recommendation to Mr. Greenway, and the young mechanic was hired. He worked so well in Coleraine, and solved so many of the problems that came up in connection with mining in a new country, and under new conditions, that he became master mechanic at Coleraine for the Oliver Iron Mining company.

Gen. John C. Greenway, who developed the Canisteo district, was called to take charge of the Calumet & Arizona copper mines in Arizona. When he left the Canisteo district, General Greenway took several of his trusted employees with him. Harry A. Clark was one of these, and accompanied his former commander to the new work in the west. His rise has been steady, and when General Greenway decided to resign, a few weeks ago, Mr. Clark was his logical successor.

That there is still opportunity for the poor boy is shown by the life of Mr. Clark. Left an orphan at an early age, he never knew his parents. He was compelled to earn his own living at a tender age, and had but little schooling, educating himself after reaching manhood. Many of the older residents of Grand Rapids will remember him with a great deal of pleasure, and tender congratulations on his success.

Michael Curley, who came to Coleraine from Ishpeming, Michigan, and who also went to Arizona with General Greenway, has also been advanced in rank substantially. He is now manager of operations at Ajo, Arizona, where the copper company has large mines.