Hellar, Clark

Biographical History

Descended from one of Roseville's pioneer families, Jerome Clark Hellar was born on April 23, 1904 at 605 Oak St. in Roseville to Martin Colin Hellar and Elva Clark Hellar. He was thereafter known to family and friends as Clark. His maternal great-grandparents Darius Darwin Clark and Catherine Cruder Clark, along with their daughter Alma and two sons Willis Albert and Wallace arrived in Roseville from Akron, Ohio in 1870. D. D. Clark built the family home on the corner of Church and Lincoln Streets in 1886.

Hellar's grandfather W. A. Clark was born on March 8, 1854 in Ohio. After settling in Roseville with his parents, he met and married Ida Kingsberry of Contra Costa County in 1876. Ida and her unborn child died soon after during childbirth. In 1880 W. A. married Rachel Louisa Skidmore, born in October 1857 in Pennsylvania. The couple's family grew with the addition of Elva Louise born in October 1881, Iva Maria born in July 1886, Willis Stewart born in May 1888, Catherine H. born in August 1890, and Wendall R. born in August 1892. W. A. bought land bordered by Judah, Oak, and Royer Streets and bought a home at 605 Oak Street in 1887.

During this time W.A. worked as a manager of a fruit farm, horse and cattle breeder, agriculturalist, and as co-owner of a livery stable. In 1908 he partnered with Howard H. Stone and opened the Clark and Stone Livery Stable on Vernon St. By 1917 he owned three vineyards, which his two sons managed. He also helped organize the Railroad National Bank of Roseville in 1921 and served as a director. Willis Albert Clark died on December 30, 1930 and was buried in the Roseville Cemetery.

Elva Clark married Martin Colin Hellar in 1903. The couple lived on Royer Street and Martin worked as a farmer and raised stock, while Elva stayed home with son Clark, who was born the following year. On January 8, 1923 the Hellar's welcomed another son to the family, Martin C. Jr. Four years later Clark married his wife, the former Isabelle Maciel,and they moved to Sacramento, where Clark worked as a farmer on a fruit farm. On May 7, 1937, Clark and Isabelle became parents with the birth of their son Jerome Clark Jr.

Clark Hellar died on May 22, 1987.

From the guide to the Clark Hellar Collection, 1879-1976, (Roseville Public Library History Collection)