The Clark Families of Clinton County, Iowa

A. J. CLARK.

Prominent among the early settlers of Clinton county is A. J. Clark, who came to DeWitt in 1841, and was for many years actively identified with her business interests, but is now living retired. He was born near Massillon, Stark county, Ohio, on the ist of February, 1837, and on the paternal side is of sturdy Welsh ancestry. His father, Rev. T. W. Clark, was born in 1808, in the province of New Brunswick. Canada, where the family was founded at an early day, and there he was reared. When a young man he went to Stark county, Ohio, and there married Miss Ann Turner, also a native of New Brunswick and a daughter of Dr. George W. Turner. He purchased a partially cleared farm in that county and engaged in its operation for some years, but in 1840 came to Clinton county, Iowa, in company with his father-in-law, who entered a large tract of land near DeWitt, erected thereon a mill, and successfully engaged in milling for several years. He was one of the pioneer physicians of this locality and was a very prominent business man. In 1841 Mr. Clark was joined by his family and located on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres south of DeWitt, now constituting what is known as South DeWitt. He also owned other lands and carried on farming quite successfully. He assisted in laying out the town of DeWitt and sold his farm to the land company who platted South DeWitt. He founded the Baptist church of DeWitt and devoted the last years of his life to the work of the ministry. He was well known in Clinton and adjoining counties, and was held in the highest respect and esteem. His death occurred May 10, 1883, having survived his wife some years.

Our subject was a child of only four years when brought to this county, and here his boyhood and youth were passed. He completed his education at Mt. Carroll, Illinois. After arriving at mature years he engaged in the real estate and loan business for some years, and for a quarter of a century was interested in the grain business. He was a large land owner and improved several farms in this county, and also stimulated industries by letting others have the use of his money. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of De- Witt, was a stockholder and director of the same, and served as vice-president until his removal to the state of Washington in 1894, when he sold his interests in this county. For six years he made his home near Seattle, being engaged in mercantile and real estate business, but in the spring of 1900 he returned to DeWitt and has since lived a retired life.

Mr. Clark has always supported the men and measures of the Republican party since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. His father was originally a Whig and later a Republican. With exception of a short time spent in Washington our subject has been a resident of this county for sixty years, and has witnessed its wonderful growth and development. His connection with various business enterprises has been of decided advantage to the county, promoting its welfare in no uncertain manner, and he has always been recognized as one of the most valuable and useful citizens of the community — one who is pre-eminently public-spirited and progressive.

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

GEORGE T. CLARK.

George T. Clark, deceased, was one of the gallant defenders of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war, and was an honored citizen of Delmar for many years. He was a native of New York, born in Essex county May 29, 1840, and was a son of Truman and Axia (Potter) Clark, the former also a native of the Empire state, the latter of Vermont. In March, 1845, tne father came to Iowa, bringing his family with him, the journey being made across the country in a wagon. On reaching Clinton county he entered land in Bloomfield township, and this wild tract he at once commenced to improve and cultivate. Later he added to it until he had one hundred and twenty-five acres, upon which he resided until February, 1874, when he removed to Delmar and purchased property, making his home there until called to his final rest, March 20, 1889. His wife died in January, 1899, and the remains of both were interred in the Union Church cemetery about three miles northwest of Delmar. They were the parents of five children, namely: Matilda, Marietta and George, all now deceased; Byron, a resident of Nebraska; and Pauline, wife of J. Taylor, of Clinton county, Iowa. They reside on the old homestead.

George Clark was not quite five years old when brought by his parents to this county, and to its common schools he was indebted for his educational privileges. He remained under the parental roof until about twenty years of age, and then began farming on his own account. When the country became involved in civil war he manifested his patriotism by enlisting, August 9, 1862, for three years, in Company I, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service with his regiment until March, 1864, when he was injured and was given a position as chief teamster of the company's wagon train. Later he sailed from New Orleans to Baltimore with five hundred teams under his supervision, and on his arrival at the latter place was promoted to wagon master of the army corps, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged at Savannah, Georgia, July 25, 1865, and returned to his father's home in August.

On the 28th of March, 1864. Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Helen M. Germond. a daughter of Seneca S. and Sarah A. (Ward) Germond, both natives of Xew York, the former born in Dutchess county, the latter in Cortland county. In

1855 they came west, traveling by rail to Galena, Illinois, and by wagon from that place to Jackson county, Iowa. The father served three terms as sheriff of Chautauqua county, Xew York, to which position he was first elected in 1849, and he had just been re-elected for a fourth term before coming to Iowa. He located in Maquoketa, Jackson county, and became one of the leading lawyers of that place, practicing in the courts of both Jackson and Clinton counties. As a Republican he took a very active and prominent part in political affairs, and was one of the most influential citizens of Maqudketa. He served as mayor of the city six years, and filled the office of justice of the peace for the long period of twenty years. Fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He died August 29, 1878, at the age of sixty-four years, and his widow now makes her home with a daughter in Maquoketa. Unto them were born the following children: Helen A., who was born in Dunkirk, Chautauqua county New York, and is now Mrs. Clark; Sarah, wife of Alfred Smith, of Minneapolis; Milton, a resident of St. Paul; Seneca, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of George Tinker, of Minneapolis; Cora, who married Milton Amsley, and both are now deceased; Caddie, wife of H. B. Hubbell, a banker of Maquoketa; and Frank, a resident of Minneapolis.

Mr. and Mrs. Clark had nine children: (1) Truman, a farmer of South Dakota, married Carrie Clark, and they have two children, Grace and Frederick. (2) Etta M. is the wife of Ransom Davis, a farmer of Clinton county, Iowa, and they have four children, Louis, Florence, Oliver and Leona. (3) Carlota is the wife of Schuyler Beard, of Lyon county, Iowa, and they have two children, Helen and Mary. (4)

Eugene is a minister of the Free Methodist church and is now preaching in Toddville township, Linn county. (5) Fred B. is deceased. (6) Harry, who resides in Lyons county. (7) Frank; (8) William and (9) Edith are all at home.

After his return from the war, Mr. Clark engaged in farming upon a tract of fort acres for a few years, but was soon forced to discontinue that occupation on account of the injuries he sustained during his army life. Selling his farm, he followed various pursuits until 1877, when he removed to Delmar, and made his home at that place until his death, which occurred June 11, 1895. His remains were interred in the Delmar cemetery. His widow now receives a pension of eight dollars per month, while Edith, his youngest child, gets two dollars. The family continue to reside in Delmar and are numbered among its most highly respected citizens. In his political affiliations Mr. Clark was a Republican and he always took a commendable interest in all enterprises tending to advance the public welfare. He was widely and favorably known, and was held in high regard by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

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

JOHN P. CLARK.

This practical and progressive farmer, residing on section 16, Waterford township, was born in Xew Jersey, on the 17th of March, 1862. His parents, Michael and Sarah (Naughtin) Clark, were both natives of Ireland, but came to America in early life and were married in Xew Jersey, where they continued to make their home until coming to Iowa, in 1868. They first located in Clinton, where the father was engaged in the sawmill business for the W. J. Young

Lumber Company, for two years, and then removed to Waterford township, this county, where he purchased eighty acres on section sixteen. Here he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his retirement from active labor, in 1891, when he removed to Charlotte, and is now enjoying the fruits of former toil. To his original purchase he added a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in 1880. In political sentiment he is a Democrat, and in religious faith a Catholic, belonging to St. Mary's church in Waterford township. His wife died April 2, 1896, and her remains were interred in St. Mary's cemetery. They were the parents of four children: Kate, wife of B. T. Walsh, of Parnell. Iowa county. Iowa; John, our subject; Mary, wife of Mathias O'Meara, of Riggs. Iowa; and Michael, who died at the age of twenty-seven years.

Being only six years of age when he came with the family to this county, John Clark acquired his education principally in the district schools of Waterford township, which he attended until he attained his majority. He worked with his father on the home farm until the latter's retirement when he took charge of the place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, and in 1894 bought it. This farm was in the path of the cyclone which swept over the country May 18, 1898, and everything he had was destroyed, including all the buildings upon the place, one horse and fifty hogs. As he carried no insurance, it was a total loss. One of his horses was blown from the barn into the cellar, while another, which was standing by her side, was found in the cistern, and still another on a neighboring farm. Mr. Clark found his fur coat two miles away with all the lining torn out. The only thing saved from the house was a glass jar, in winch were some valuable papers. This was found in the orchard unbroken. On noticing the approach of the storm, the family hid themselves in a hollow on the farm and were uninjured, but Miss Frances Solen. who was on her way home from school, was killed near their place. With his characteristic energy Mr. Clark at once set to work to erect new buildings, and now has a good modern residence nicely furnished, large barns, granaries and other outbuildings. In connection with general farming he raises Aberdeen Angus cattle, and also horses and hogs for market. Mr. Clark was married at St. Mary's Catholic church. February 17, 1891, by Rev. Father O'Dowd, to Miss Ellen O'Meara, who was born in Canada, December 30, 1866, and is of Irish descent. Her parents, John and Rose (Slavin) O'Meara, were also natives of Canada, and were married in Ottawa. On the 4th of February, 1867, her father first came to Iowa. He made several visits to this state, and finally, in the spring of the same year, brought his family and located south of Delmar, in Clinton county. where he engaged in farming on rented land for nearly two years. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Waterford township, where he made his home until called to his final rest, July 8, 1876. There his wife died, July 22, 1885, and both were buried in St. Mary's Catholic cemetery. They were devout members of St. Mary's church, and he was a Democrat in politics. He served as township clerk and trustee for a number of years. In his family were the following children: Thomas, who married Catherine Hynes, and is engaged in the livery business in Lyons; James, a real estate dealer of Kalispell, Montana, was married on June 12, 1901, to Miss Josephine Pursell, of Davenport, Iowa; Dennis, who died at the age of twenty years;

Ellen, wife of cur subject; Jennie, wife of J. S. Smith, of Alvord, Lyon county, Iowa; John, who married Alice Terralt, and died November 19. 1900, while his widow lives in Butte City, Montana; Michael, who wedded Mary Gollofith, now deceased, and resides in Lyons, Iowa; Catherine, wife of James Keegan, of Rock Valley, Lyon county, Iowa; and Daniel, a farmer of Canada.. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have four children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Gertrude Sarah, August 3, 1893; John J., February 20, 1895; Francis Ignatius. January 29, 1898; and Daniel Raymond. May 13, 1899.

Mr. Clark is one of the most practical up-to-date farmers of his community, and is a thorough gentleman who is pleasant and affable in manner. He takes quite an active interest in public affairs, and has capable served as township clerk and secretary of the school board. His political support is always given the Democratic party. He is a member of St. Mary's Catholic church of Waterford township; and also belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters, at Charlotte, and of Camp Xo. 2486, Modern Woodmen of America, of the same place.

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