Charles W. Clarke was born in Forestville, Connecticut, in 1848. He graduated from the Rochester Academy and the Eastman Commercial College of Rochester, New York, and had his business training in New York City. For twelve years he was with the Cincinnati furniture manufacturing firm of Clarke Brothers. In 1884 he came west and purchased a 3100 acre stock ranch between Spokane and Rockford. In 1889 he moved to Post Falls where he and his brother Robert had a real estate business. He owned about half the land in Post Falls, was secretary and treasurer of the Post Falls Water Company, chairman of the board of county commissioners, and president of the school board.
From the guide to the Papers, 1889-1894, (University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives)
