From the November, 1913 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
Captain John C. Clarke is master in charge of the "Delos W. Cooke." He was born at Buffalo and comes from a family of sailors. His father, George H. Clarke, served in the United States Navy before the War and was also master of lake schooners in their sailing days on the Great Lakes for thirty-five years and was regarded as one of the best of the veteran sailors living in his day. Captain Clarke's sailing career commenced in the year 1887 when he was seventeen years old and he knows the Great Lakes from end to end. His first service was as watchman on the Raleigh and for two years served as wheelsman and watchman on the big "Robert Mills." In 1896 he entered the Union Steamboat Line, now Erie Lake Line Division, service as Mate of the Steamer "Chemung," remaining in this position until 1898, when he sailed the Russell Sage of the Wabash Line, following which he sailed the Mary Boyce, which was engaged in towing canal boats between Cleveland and Buffalo, grain moving eastbound and sugar westbound. Following this he served in the old Soo Line fleet, which is now consolidated with the Mutual Transit Company and in the Summer of 1906 he was made Captain of the Steamer "Starrucca," since which time his record with this ship has been of the very best. He is held in high regard because of his loyal service and fine record and he is ever on the lookout to say a good word in the interest of increased traffic for the Line.