The Clark Families of Berrien County, Michigan

JOHN CLARK is well known in Berrien county, where for more than a half century he has been connected with agricultural and horticultural pursuits, while in public affairs he has figured prominently, wielding a wide and beneficial influence in lines of public thought and action resulting in general progress and improvement. While still owning a valuable farm in the county, from which he derives a good income, he now makes his home in Benton Harbor.

Mr. Clark was born in Loraine county, Ohio, October 14, 1838. His father. Orange Clark, was a native of Massachusetts, born in Berkshire county, and was about thirteen years of age when his parents removed to the state of New York. He was married there to Miss Charlotte Washburn, a native of that state, and they resided in New York until about 1831, when they removed to Lorain county, Ohio, where they continued to make their home until 1854. That year witnessed their arrival in Pipestone township, now Sodus township, Berrien county, Michigan, where they spent their remaining days, the father dying at the age of sixty-eight years and the mother when sixty-nine years of age. In their family were five sons and five daughters, all of whom reached adult age. Five were born in New York and five in Ohio. Of this family John Clark is the ninth child and fourth son.

He was fifteen years of age at the time of the removal of his parents from Ohio to Michigan, previous to which time he had attended the district schools of his native county. As their home was only eight miles from Oberlin, Ohio, many of the teachers were students from Oberlin College, and the advantages enjoyed by the children of the district were thereby of a superior order to those usually afforded in a country school. For two winters Mr. Clark was a student in the district schools of this county and spent two years as a student in Niles, after which he engaged in teaching for five terms in Berrien county. His first school was two miles from Niles, in the Thomson district, and his third term was at Pipestone, while for one term he was teacher in the home district. He taught his first term in the winter of 1859-60, and in August, 1861, he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting as a member of Company A, Eleventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry, as a private. He served for three years in the same company and participated in many hardfought battles, including the sanguinary conflicts at Stone River and Chickamauga. In the latter he was wounded and, being left on the field, was taken prisoner. The tenth day after the battle he was paroled and taken to the hospital at Chattanooga. He was wounded in September and the last of October he was granted a thirty days' furlough and was taken to St. Mary's Hospital, at Detroit, Michigan, where he remained until the following February. He was then sent to his regiment, but after two weeks was sent to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, where he arrived on the 16th of March, 1864. On the 20th of May the government ordered an exchange of prisoners, after which Mr. Clark joined his regiment at Kenesaw Mountain, remaining with his command from that time until the expiration of his term of service. He was honorably discharged September 30, 1864, after serving for three years, one month and six days, and suffering all the hardships and rigors of war. Mr. Clark had three brothers in the service, Don A., who was wounded before August, 1864, and died of wounds December 25, 1864, Theodore and L. N.

When mustered out Mr. Clark returned to Berrien county and, settling in Pipestone township, rented land for a year. He then located on his farm on section 8 of that township, and improved the place. He now owns one hundred and sixty-seven and a

58o half acres of valuable land, from which he derives a good income, but since 1896 he has made his home in Benton Harbor. In that year he was elected county treasurer and filled the office for four years with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He has also been township clerk, township superintendent of schools, township school inspector, highway commissioner and justice of the peace, and has made a most commendable record as a public official, standing for opposition to misrule in public office and discharging his duties with the utmost fidelity, precision and accuracy.

On the 23d of March, 1865, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Helen Webster, a daughter of Robert L. and Aurelia Webster. Mrs. Clark is a native of Hillsdale county, Michigan, and for ten years prior to her marriage taught school in this county. Her parents were both born in Maine, and came to Michigan about 1837 and to Berrien county in 1848. Both died in Pipestone township, the father at the age of sixty-six years, and the mother when a little more than eighty-one. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of two sons: Lowell, of Denver, is in the employ of the government, in the quarantine department of the bureau of animal industry, in which capacity he has jurisdiction over the three states of Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado, making his headquarters at Denver; Glenn is farming the old homestead.

Mr. Clark has been identified with the agricultural and horticultural interests of this county for fifty-two years and has taken an active interest in its material progress as well as in the advancement of his individual interests. He followed the admonition of the Greek philosopher who, centuries ago, said: *'Earn thy reward; the gods give naught to cloth." He has labored persistently and diligently and his present rest from active business cares is therefore well merited. His interest in the matters of public moment has been manifest by tangible support of every movement instituted for the general good. He belongs to Benton Harbor Post, G. A. R., of which he has been commander, and he'is one of the charter members of the Berrien County Grange, which he assisted in organizing. He believes in united effort for the common good, as is manifest in the Grange and other movements and individually and in co-operation with others he has put forth effective effort for the welfare ol the county in which he has made his home from boyhood days.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ROY CLARK is numbered among the old settlers of Pipestone township by reason of the fact that he has spent forty-six years upon the farm that is now his place of residence. It was here that he was born, his natal day being August 7, 1860, and the house which he yet occupies was that in which he first opened his eyes to the light of day. It is situated on section 17, Pipestone township, and the place is one of the old improved properties of the county, the land having been converted from its primitive condition into cultivable and richly productive fields. His father, Theodore Clark, was a native of Manlius, New York, and when about five years of age was taken to Ohio by his parents, Orange and Mary Clark, who located in Lorain county, where Theodore Clark was reared and educated. When he had attained his majority he wedded Miss Sarah Warner, a native of Lorain county, where her girlhood days were passed. Her natal year was 1836 and in 1856 she accompanied her husband on his removal to Pipestone township, their home being established on the farm which is now the residence of Roy Clark. There were scarcely any improvements upon the place at that time and their first home was a log cabin. There in the midst of the wilderness the father hewed out a farm, clearing the fields and bringing the land under cultivation. It was an arduous task in the early days but with the passing years improved farm machinery rendered labor less difficult. He remained upon the old homestead until his death, which occurred in his seventy-ninth year. He had served as highway commissioner before the division of Pipestone and Sodus townships and was also township clerk and justice of the peace. His decisions in the last named office were fair and impartial and he took an active interest in public matters relating to the general welfare, upholding the legal and political states of the community and supporting those interests which work for its material, intellectual and moral progress. He was a life-long Republican from the organization of the party and was deeply interested in its welfare. His wife passed away July 12, 1894, in her sixty-seventh year. In the family were four children, of whom two died in infancy, while two sons reached adult age. One of these, Eljen, died August 26, 1906, at Eau Claire, Michigan. Roy Clark of this review is the youngest of the family and is now the only surviving member. At the usual age he began his education in the public schools of Pipestone township and subsequently he continued his studies in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where he remained for three years. When not busy with his text-books his time was largely occupied with the work of the farm and thus the days of his boyhood and youth passed. He was married on the loth of January, 1 88 1, to Miss Jennie Grow, a daughter of

Ralph and Mary (Miller) Grow, the former a native of New York, and the latter of London, England. Their daughter, Mrs. Clark was born in Aledo, Illinois, December 26,. 1858, but was reared in Berrien township,. Berrien county.

Mr. Clark owns and operates a farm of two hundred and two and a half acres of well improved land, a part of which is the old homestead. His life has been active and his labors resultant, and he is now in possession of a good property. His fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability have frequently called him to office and he has served as supervisor of Pipestone township for four years and also as justice of the peace. In 1904 he was nominated for sheriff but was defeated. A prominent Mason, he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. He belongs to the Blue Lodge at Berrien Springs, the chapter and council at St. Joseph and the commandery at Benton Harbor, while his affiliation with the consistory and shrine is in Grand Rapids. He is the only Mason of this rank in Pipestone township. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Grange, as is also his wife. He has. missed but one caucus and primary since eighteen years of age and he has served as a member of both the county central committee and the executive committee. He has ever been most active and helpful in his work in the interests of the Republican party and his name is a synonym for all that is progressive and helpful whether accomplished through party lines or as an independent movement. His acquaintance is wide and his friends speak of him in favorable terms, indicating that his life has been honorable and upright.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES A. CLARK, senior member in the well known firm of G. A. Blakeslee & Company at Galien, was born in Geauga county, Ohio, August 23, 1849, and has lived in Berrien county since he was thirteen years old. His first twenty years were spent on a farm, with attendance at the schools in Galien, completing at the high school. For several years after his majority he was a school teacher, first in a district school, then a year at Dayton, and a year at the industrial training school at Lansing. Following his marriage in 1874 he began the manufacture of room handles at Galien, Joseph Carl being his partner.

In 1876 Mr. Clark became a clerk in the general merchandise business of the late G. A. Blakeslee. In five years he had proved his value as a business man and was a partner in the firm of G. A. Blakeslee & Company, a name which has been retained during all subsequent years, though E. A, Blakeslee succeeded his father on the latter's death in 1890. This is one of the largest general merchandise establishments in Berrien county, and besides the regular stock of such a concern the partners have dealt in coal thirty years, also salt and lumber, and have conducted a private bank since

In public affairs Mr. Clark is known as a thoroughgoing Republican, served eleven years as village clerk and four years as village president, as township treasurer two years, member of the school board about thirty years, is now on his sixth consecutive term as supervisor, being chairman of the board one year. He is chairman of the RepubUcan county committee, and several times has been delegate to state conventions. Mr. Clark is a Mason and a member of the K. O. T. M. at Galien. Besides his business affairs he owns and conducts a farm of eighty acres, devoted to grapes and general crops. He has been a notary public and in the fire insurance businCvSS thirty years, and has acted as administrator and guardian of many states.

Mr. Clark has worthy ancestors on both sides. He is a son of respected parents, Albert and Eliza (Howell) Clark, who came to Berrien county in 1863 and lived here till death. His father was born in Massachusetts, and when a child accompanied the family to Ohio where they were among the original settlers of Geauga county. Both of Mr. Clark's grandfathers Abner Clark and John Howell, respectively, were first settlers in Ohio and took up virgin land on which to make their homes. The most remote American ancestor was William Clark, who came from England in 161 7 and landed at Dorchester, Mass., later moving to Northampton in the same state. The Howells were also of English descent. Albert Clark, who was a lifelong farmer, died in Berrien county in 1894, in his eighty-fourth year, while his wife passed away in 1890, aged seventy-one. Charles A., was the second of the four children, the eldest being Emily S., who died in 1880, and two brothers, Everett S. and Albert E., both deceased, the latter in 1897.

In 1874 Mr. Clark married Miss Lydia Blakeslee, who was born at Batavia, Illinois, 1853, and came to Berrien county with her parents, George A. and Lydia (Alcott) Blakeslee. Mr. and Mrs. Clark's three children are, Stanley A., who is a physician at South Bend; Leslie B., in school at Ann Arbor; and Winnie G., in school at home.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

AARON CLARK, a representative of a pioneer family of Berrien county and now engaged in farming on section 29, Niles township, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, August 23, 1855. His father, David Clark, was a native of Maryland and was there reared, after which he removed to Ohio, where he maintained his residence until he came to Michigan in 1868. At that time he settled in Buchanan township, Berrien county, and was engaged in farming up to the time of his demise. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Wise, was also a native of Maryland and she, too, has passed away. There were thirteen children in the family, only seven of whom are now living.

Aaron Clark was the twelfth in order of birth and is the youngest surviving member of the family. He was a youth of thirteen years when he came with his parents to Michigan and upon the homestead farm in Buchanan township he was reared, assisting in its early development and improvement. He also worked in a sawmill in Buchanan for about six years and was early trained to habits of industry, economy and perseverance — qualities which have been essential factors in his later success.

In 1884 was celebrated the marriage of Aaron Clark and Miss Harriet Pears, a daughter of John W. Pears. She was born in London, England, where she remained to the age of fourteen years, when, with her parents, she came to the United States, the family home being established in Buchanan township, Berrien county, Michigan. Following their marriage Mr. Clark and his bride took up their above in Buchanan, where they remained for six years and then removed to the Judson farm in Niles township. There for a time Mr. Clark carried on general agricultural pursuits and later he rented the Pears farm for eight years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm in Niles township on section six, and when he sold that property he bought the place on which he now resides, known as the Blake farm and comprising fifty-one acres of land. In addition to this property he cultivates seventy acres, which he rents. He carries on general farming and his fields are well developed, while the utmost care and precision are manifest in the management of his property interests. He is practical in all that he does and as the years have gone by his persistency of purpose and indomitable energy have been the means of bringing him a gratifying competence.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Clark has been blessed with two sons: Elmer E., who was born in Buchanan township, July lo, 1886; and Frederick, born July 12, 1888. Both are still under the parental roof and assist their father in his farm labor. Mr. Clark has been a resident of Berrien county for thirty-six years and has always been the champion of progressive public movements. In politics he is a Democrat, taking an active interest in the growth of the party and its successes, and wherever known he is held in high esteem because of his loyalty, his honest convictions and his reliability in business transactions.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.