James Wark
James Wark, photographer, Kent, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, January 23, 1847; son of William and Catherine (Long) Wark. His ancestors, who were of Scotch descent, located in Ireland in 1798. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his .native county, and came to America in 1866, locating at Cuyahoga Falls, Summit Co., Ohio, where he remained five months. He then went to Akron and worked on a farm by the month until 1869, when he entered the photograph gallery of G. W. Manly, where he served an apprenticeship of two years. In 1871 he removed to Kent and opened a photograph gallery, in which he has been profitably engaged to the present time. He was married, June 8, 1871, to Belle, daughter of Jasper and Fidelia (Bliss) Haught, of Kent, by whom he has two children: William J. and Bessie B. Mr. Wark is a member of the Episcopal Church, also an active member of the I. O. O. F. and R. A. He is now serving his third term as Clerk of this township, and first term as Clerk of Kent corporation. In politics he is a Republican.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885