Samuel C. Park

American politician

Samuel C. Park
From 1914's Men of Affairs In the State of Utah
16th Mayor of Salt Lake City
In office
January 1, 1912 – January 3, 1916
Preceded byJohn S. Bransford
Succeeded byW. Mont Ferry
Member of the Utah State Senate
In office
1905–1909
Serving with Stephen H. Love, George N. Lawrence, William N. Williams, Simon Bamberger (1905)
Benner X. Smith, William N. Williams, Stephen H. Love, George N. Lawrence (1907)
Preceded byGeorge N. Lawrence, Hoyt Sherman, Stephen H. Love, William N. Williams, Simon Bamberger
Succeeded byBenner X. Smith, William N. Williams, Stonewall J. Stookey, Charles E. Marks, Carl A. Badger
Constituency6th District
Personal details
Born(1869-11-01)November 1, 1869
Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory
DiedFebruary 19, 1920(1920-02-19) (aged 50)
Holladay, Utah
Resting placeMount Olivet Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Utah
Political partyRepublican
SpouseEleanor "Ella" Thomas (m. 1894)
Children3
RelativesArthur Lloyd Thomas (father in law)
EducationUniversity of Michigan
OccupationJeweler
Banker
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Utah
Years of service1898–1908
RankBrigadier General
UnitUtah National Guard
Commands1st Infantry Regiment
1st Infantry Brigade

Samuel C. Park (November 1, 1869 – February 19, 1920) was an American businessman and politician from Utah. A Republican, he served in the Utah State Senate from 1905 to 1909 and on the Salt Lake City School Board from 1909 to 1912. Park served as Mayor of Salt Lake City from 1912 to 1916.

Biography

Samuel Culver Park was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory on November 1, 1869, the son of Boyd Park and Jane (Culver) Park.[1] The Park family relocated to Salt Lake City in 1871, where Boyd Park owned and operated one of the city's first jewelry stores.[1] Samuel Park attended the local schools and Hammond Hall Academy.[2] He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1889,[3] then attended the University of Michigan as a member of the class of 1891.[4] Park was a longtime member of the university's alumni association.[4][5]

Business and civic career

Park followed his father into the Boyd Park Inc. jewelry business, which he expanded into jewelry wholesaling and manufacturing as manager, vice president, and president.[5] Park was also active in Salt Lake City's Bank of Commerce, of which he was cashier.[5] In addition, he was active in numerous fraternal and civic organizations, including attaining the 33rd degree of Scottish Rite Masonry.[1] Park was also a Shriner and an Elk.[1] Park also belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution as well as Salt Lake City's Commercial Club and University Club.[1]

Military career

A longtime member of the Utah National Guard, Park was serving as a sergeant in Cavalry Troop A in April 1898 when he received promotion to first sergeant.[6] By late 1899, he had received his commission and been elected lieutenant colonel of Utah's 1st Infantry Regiment.[7] In November 1900, he was elected to command the 1st Regiment as a colonel.[8] He received promotion to brigadier general as commander of the 1st Brigade in 1905.[9] Park later served on the staff of the governor of Utah, and he retired as a brigadier general in 1908.[10]

Political career

A Republican, Park served in the Utah State Senate from 1905 to 1909.[5] From 1909 to 1912 he was a member of the Salt Lake City School Board.[5] In 1911, Park received the honorary degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, as of 1891.[4][5] In November 1911, Park was elected mayor of Salt Lake City, and he served one term, 1912 to 1916.[11][12] Park was the first mayor chosen after Salt Lake City adopted a city commission government, and as mayor he was also the city's commissioner of public safety, with jurisdiction over the police, fire, and health departments.[13]

Death and burial

After serving as mayor, Park returned to his business and banking interests.[13] He died at Shady Brook, his country home in Holladay, Utah, on February 19, 1920.[14][15] He was buried at Salt Lake City's Mount Olivet Cemetery.[14]

Family

In 1894, Park married Eleanor "Ella" Thomas, the daughter of Governor Arthur Lloyd Thomas.[14] They were the parents of three children Boyd, Samuel Jr., and Eleanor.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Press Club of Salt Lake (1914). Men of Affairs in the State of Utah. Salt Lake City, UT: Western Printing Co. p. 326 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Our Busiest Men: Colonel Sam Park". Deseret News. Salt Lake City, UT. July 12, 1902. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Phillips Exeter Academy (1903). General Catalogue of the Officers and Students of the Phillips Exeter Academy. Exeter, NH: The News-Letter Press. p. 136 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ a b c University of Michigan Board of Regents (1911). Regents' Proceedings, June Meeting. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan. p. 192 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Clark, A. Howard (1915). National Year Book. Washington, DC: National Society, Sons of the American Revolution. p. 9 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ "News of the Guard". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, UT. April 16, 1898. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Building Up Utah's National Guard: Roster of Officers". Salt Lake Daily Herald. Salt Lake City, UT. December 31, 1899. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Regimental Officers: Colonel Sam Park Appoints Members of Staff". Salt Lake Daily Herald. Salt Lake City, UT. November 18, 1900. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Governor Announces Staff". Salt Lake Daily Herald. Salt Lake City, UT. January 3, 1905. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "In the Social World: Brigadier General Samuel C. Park". Salt Lake Telegram. Salt Lake City, UT. December 31, 1908. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Summary of the Returns". Salt Lake Herald-Republican. Salt Lake City, UT. November 8, 1911. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Mayor Park Declares That Hopes Have Been Realized". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, UT. January 2, 1916. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b "First Mayor Under Commission Form of Government Expires". Salt Lake Telegram. Salt Lake City, UT. February 19, 1920. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b c d "Career of Late S. C. Park". The Jewelers' Circular. New York, NY: Jewelers' Circular Publishing Company. March 3, 1920. p. 105 – via Google Books.
  15. ^ "Utah Death Certificates, 1904-1961, Entry for Samuel Culver Park". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com LLC. February 19, 1920. Retrieved May 6, 2023.