Kings County
Biographies
CLARK CLEMENT
Among the worthy citizens of Lemoore whose efforts have contributed in a very definite measure to the prestige of the legal profession, is Clark Clement, one of the best known attorneys in Kings county. By a life of high ideals and consistent action he has so impressed himself upon the community as to hold to a marked degree its confidence and respect.
Clark Clement was born in Prairie City, Oklahoma, on the 2d day of August, 1886. He secured his elementary education in the public schools and then entered Mercer University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Having determined to devote his life to the practice of law, he entered the Law School of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1914, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Soon afterward he went to San Francisco and entered upon the practice of his profession in the office of the late Judge John B. Clayberg, formerly chief justice of the state of Montana.
Upon the entry of the United States into the World war Mr. Clement offered his services to the government and was appointed chief drill master at the United States Naval Reserve Detention Camp, San Pedro, California. This was intensive work and Mr. Clement trained as many as nine thousand men, in successive groups of about fourteen hundred. When he had completed this work and been released from further war duties, Mr. Clement came to Lemoore and engaged in the practice of his profession. His ability and faithfulness were soon recognized and during the subsequent years his practice has steadily increased until he is now numbered among the most successful lawyers in his community. He is a forceful and graceful speaker and is frequently in demand as the orator for special occasions. He is attorney for the public administrator of Kings county.
Mr. Clement was married to Miss Marjorie Guard of Fresno, California, a member of an old pioneer family. He is a member of Hanford Lodge No. 1259, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; Lemoore Post of the American Legion, of which he was one of the organizers and the first post commander. He has been prominent in Kiwanis circles and is lieutenant governor of Kiwanis Clubs for the California and Nevada district.
History of Tulare County and Kings County, California – Kathleen Edwards Small & J. Larry Smith, Vol. I, Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1926, Page 519
Transcribed by Jeannie Miyama
JOSEPH M. CLEMENTE
Joseph M. Clemente is another conspicuous example of what a man, coming to a strange country and handicapped by ignorance of the language and of the customs of the country, may accomplish through the exercise of sound judgment and indefatigable industry. He is the owner of a fine fruit farm near Hanford, and was born in the Azores Islands, on the 7th day of February, 1889, a son of M. M. and Laura (Rodreques) Clemente, the latter of whom passed away on January 14, 1925. The father who still lives in his native land, has followed farming all his life. Joseph M. Clemente acquired his education in the public schools and remained at home with his parents until he had attained the age of twenty-one years, when he came to the United States, locating at once in Kings county. Three months after coming here he engaged in the dairy business in Goshen, to which he devoted his attention for eight years. At the end of that time he came to Hanford and bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, of which twenty acres are in orchard and fifteen acres in vineyard. He has devoted himself untiringly to the further development of this place, which is now considered one of the best rural properties in this section of the country. Mr. Clemente’s success is all the more noteworthy considering the fact that he came here a poor man and entirely ignorant of our language. But he was determined to win success and that he has done so is apparent to anyone who passes his fine home and surrounding property. He is a firm supporter of the institutions of his adopted country and stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Clemente was married to Miss Mary V. Clement, and they are popular members of the social circles in which they move. Mr. Clemente is a republican politically and has fraternal affiliations with the Knights of Columbus, the Woodmen of the World, the I. D. E. S. and the U. P. E. C.
History of Tulare County and Kings County, California – Kathleen Edwards Small & J. Larry Smith, Vol. I, Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1926, Page 548
Transcribed by Jeannie Miyama