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THE USK OBSERVER

The Illustrated Usk Observer; was printed and published at Usk by JAMES HENRY CLARK (1818-1913), a son of James Clark. J. H. Clark and his elder brother GEORGE A. CLARK (who, however, died at Chepstow 12 April 1835) began business at Usk on 1 Jan. 1834. Both brothers had learned the craft of printing at their father's office. J. H. Clark was b. 23 Jan. 1818 in Gloucester and d. 16 Feb. 1913, aged 95.

During his long life as printer and publisher he wrote and published several books, e.g. Usk and its Neighbourhood, 1856; Handbook to Monmouthshire and South Wales, 1861; Sketches of Monmouthshire, 1868; History of Monmouthshire, 1869; Usk Past and Present, 1893; etc.

For further details see Ifano Jones, History of Printing and Printers in Wales and Monmouthshire, and the Monmouthshire Bibliography of William Haines (q.v.) (in manuscript in N.L.W.). The newspaper begun in 1855 continued, with change of name, to appear until 1907. J. H. Clark m., 15 March 1838, Sophia (d. 1901), eldest daughter of William Howell, Chepstow. For some years he had a book-selling shop in Cardiff also. In Aug. 1875 he began to publish a monthly, The Usk Gleaner and Monmouthshire Record, which continued to appear until the end of 1878. The Usk business was continued by his daughter, ELIZA BLANCHE CLARK.

WILLIAM HENRY CLARK, eldest son of J. H. Clark, left Usk in 1866 for Brecon, where he founded The Brecon County Times

Author:  Sir William Llewelyn Davies, M.A., LL.D., F.S.A. (1887-1952), Aberystwyth

The Usk Gleaner is a compilation of highlights from stories in past years. Access it here: Usk Gleaner

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