Hoyt W. Lark

Hoyt Webb Lark (1893 – 1971 in Cranston, Rhode Island) was a Republican State Senator and mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island.

Personal Life Summary

HOYT WEBB LARK (married to Helen Crooker), of Cranston Rhode Island, was born in Onawa Iowa, November 19,1893. Hoyt attended the public schools in Onawa, Iowa (the Onawa Elementary School is now named on his behalf) and graduated from Grinnell College, Iowa, 1915 (A.B.); Harvard Law School, 1919 (LL.B) and admitted to the Rhode Island Bar, 1920. Served as 2nd lieutenant United States Army, World War I. Mayor of Cranston Rhode Island, 1945-1953. He was a Republican State Senator from January 1953 until 1957. Hoyt died on May 1, 1971, at the age of 78 in Cranston Rhode Island.

Mayoral term

Lark was Mayor of Cranston 1945-1953 and eventually was in contention for a seat in the U.S. Senate in the early 1950s. Lark had lost reelection because of controversial opinions and his attempts to confront mob activity in the Rhode Island business market. In a period in which illegal and underground activity was a prominent and significant source of revenue in the business sector, Lark's platform particularly focused on the elimination of illegal business ventures. As a result many said he "turned too many heads" and "stepped on too many people's feet", leading to his eventual dismissal.