The Clark family was prominent in Idaho politics for many years, though probably only those with a passion for history remember them much today.
Barzilla Clark was the first of his family in politics. He was an engineer with an interest in making water work. He built the Blackfoot Reservoir, then, after being elected mayor of Idaho Falls, he was influential in building the municipal power plant. He became Idaho’s 16th governor in 1937, serving one two-year term before being defeated in the Democratic primary by C. Ben Ross. Ross lost the election to C.A Bottolfsen.
Chase Clark, Barzilla’s brother, ran against Bottolfsen for governor in 1940 and won. But Bottolfsen wasn’t through. He came back to beat Chase Clark in 1942. Both elections were very close. Clark was nominated to the federal bench by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He served there for many years.
A nephew of Chase and Brazilla Clark’s, David Worth Clark served in the US House of Representatives from 1934-1938. In 1938 he ran for U.S. Senate and won. Then, in 1944 he was defeated in the primary by Glen Taylor.
Chase had a daughter named Bethine. Bethine married Frank Church, who had a legendary career as a Senator from Idaho.
Barzilla Clark was the first of his family in politics. He was an engineer with an interest in making water work. He built the Blackfoot Reservoir, then, after being elected mayor of Idaho Falls, he was influential in building the municipal power plant. He became Idaho’s 16th governor in 1937, serving one two-year term before being defeated in the Democratic primary by C. Ben Ross. Ross lost the election to C.A Bottolfsen.
Chase Clark, Barzilla’s brother, ran against Bottolfsen for governor in 1940 and won. But Bottolfsen wasn’t through. He came back to beat Chase Clark in 1942. Both elections were very close. Clark was nominated to the federal bench by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He served there for many years.
A nephew of Chase and Brazilla Clark’s, David Worth Clark served in the US House of Representatives from 1934-1938. In 1938 he ran for U.S. Senate and won. Then, in 1944 he was defeated in the primary by Glen Taylor.
Chase had a daughter named Bethine. Bethine married Frank Church, who had a legendary career as a Senator from Idaho.
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