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Renfrewshire Community Plan 2008 - 2017 John Clark
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Born in October 1827, John Clark was a member of the Clark family, who were mill owners, famous for developing Paisley’s thread manufacturing industry.
John served his apprenticeship with Robert Guthrie and Co, shawl manufacturers, before joining the family thread manufacturing business, J and J Clark and Co. in 1860. The Clark family discovered a technique to produce a spooled cotton thread and were the first to introduce its manufacture. From their thread mill at Seedhill, Paisley, John played an important role in the continued growth and expansion of the business.
John served his apprenticeship with Robert Guthrie and Co, shawl manufacturers, before joining the family thread manufacturing business, J and J Clark and Co. in 1860. The Clark family discovered a technique to produce a spooled cotton thread and were the first to introduce its manufacture. From their thread mill at Seedhill, Paisley, John played an important role in the continued growth and expansion of the business.
As well as J and J Clark and Co, the extended Clark family owned three more thread manufacturing companies. During the 1860s, John was instrumental in bringing his mill, and the other mills close to it in Seedhill, together under the new name of Clark and Co. They named their large complex The Anchor Mills. Under John's leadership, profits increased to £40,000 in 1871.
John continued to expand the business, in 1871 construction began on the “Atlantic Mill”, which would contain 60,000 thread-producing twisting spindles, this was followed by the “Pacific Mill” which increased the firm’s capacity to 230,000 spindles. Together they employed more than 3,000 people.
During the late 1870s John’s brother, Alexander Clark, died in America. Clark and Co took controlling interest of his American mills and continued to expand in America. John became known for his aggressive management style.
The Clark’s main competitors were J and P Coats, another Paisley thread manufacturing family firm. In the late 1880s the two firms cooperated to counter the trend for price-cutting that was reducing profits. After John's death in 1894 the two Paisley firms merged.
John was extremely wealthy, and a generous philanthropist. He donated a large sum to the building of the George A Clark town hall in Paisley, and left £10,000 to the Paisley Infirmary. This was from a total donation of £66,500 left to charitable and religious societies in his will. In Largs, the home of his summer residence, 'Curling Hall', he paid for the building of the hospital and gave £30,000 to a new United Presbyterian Church. To the south of Largs, at West Kilbride, he largely funded the Paisley Convalescence Home.
Sailing was John Clark’s relaxation. In 1889 he became the Commodore of the Royal Clyde Yacht Club and remained in that position until his death. His yachts, the Vanduara and the Mohican were both used to successfully compete in races. The steam yacht Mohican carried him to America on business as well as on cruises to the Mediterranean.
For more information on Renfrewshire's famous people, contact the Local Studies Library by
- email: locstuds.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- phone: 0141 889 2360
- fax: 0141 887 6468
- write to:
- Reference and Local Studies Library
Central Library
68 High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BB
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