Charles M. Clark

As printed in 1902

CHARLES M. CLARK.

Through almost eighty years Charles M. Clark, now deceased, was a resident of this county and is classed among the pioneer settlers to whom a debt of gratitude is due for what they accomplished in reclaiming the wild region for the uses of the white man. He aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of the county and his history if given in detail would present a faithful picture of pioneer times in Clark county.

Mr. Clark was born in Coshocton county, August 12, 1808, his parents being James and Martha (Davis) Clark, who were natives of Virginia, where the father learned the carpenter's trade. In 1803 he decided to establish his home beyond the mountains which separated Virginia from what was then the far west and with a team and wagon, accompanied by his family, he journeyed overland to Coshocton county, where he lived until 1811 and then came to Clark county. His financial resources were limited and as he could not buy land he rented a tract in Springfield township, where he lived for a few years, removing then to Champaign county. He worked hard, saved his money and invested in land near Mechanicsburg, thus becoming well-to-do. He was an industrious and honored citizen and bore no unimportant part in the work of early development in Ohio. Both he and his wife died on their home farm near Mechanicsburg.;

Charles M. Clark was only three years of age when he came to Clark county with his parents. Springfield was then but a hamlet and many of the now thriving towns and villages had not then sprung into existence. Indians still roamed through the forest and wild animals found their haunts within the

The establishment of homes in this beautiful region therefore meant hardships, sacrifices and sometimes death, but there were some men, however, brave enough to face the difficult conditions of pioneer life and undertake the arduous task of converting the forest tracts into farms which would yield crops for the sustenance of life. Such a work was that which fell to the lot of Mr. Clark. He lived with his parents until twenty-one years of age and his father then gave him a horse, saddle and bridle, and thus equipped he started out in life for himself. He began to deal in cattle, buying stock in the surrounding country and driving them over the mountains to the Philadelphia market, a distance of more than five hundred miles, for there were no railroads at that time to afford an easy means of transportation. It required about six months to collect and purchase a drove and dispose of them in the east. On one of those trips Mr. Clark purchased a buggy, which was the first vehicle of the kind ever introduced into this section of Ohio. On one occasion he had the honor of taking the green woods.

Hon. Thaddeus Stevens for a ride in this buggy.

Mr. Clark made his home with his older brother until he was married, when he purchased a farm in Moorefield township, which he cultivated and also dealt in cattle. For many years he was also an extensive buyer of wool, continuing in that business until 1889. In the meantime, in 1875, he had removed from his farm to the city, residing on East High street. He wedded Miss Chloe Foley, who was born in Moorefield township, a daughter of Absalom and Susan (Bishop) Foley. Her. father was a native of Virginia and a son of John Foley, who was a Virginia planter and spent his entire life in the Old Dominion. The father of Mrs. Clark was reared in that state and when a young man came to Ohio in pioneer days. Here he worked with a brother-inlaw until his earnings enabled him to purchase a tract of timber land in Moorefield township, on which he began farming and there he eventually built a fine brick residence. Later he purchased another farm near his first property, and thereon he spent the latter days of his life. His wife was a daughter of James C. and Chloe (Lake) Bishop artd like her husband has passed away long ago.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born ten children. Anna died in infancy and was buried in the cemetery of Moorefield township. Martha J. became the wife of Thomas Jones, of London, Ohio, and at her death was laid to rest in Ferncliff cemetery, of Springfield. She had three children—Harry, Carl and Clifford. Charles E. died July 19, 1902, and was buried in Ferncliff. William, who died in 1875, was also laid to rest there. James M., who died in 1875, was buried in. Ferncliff. Absalom F. married

Miss Vida Johnson, by whom he has a son, Carl, and their home is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Robert R. is living in Philadelphia. Fannie F. is the wife of John Worley, of Springfield, and they had eight children—Charles, deceased; and Robert, John, Helen, Alice, Harry, Chloe and Joseph. Sallie is the wife of H. C. Lyon, who is represented on another page of this work. Alice resides with her mother and sister, Mrs. Lyon.

The parents were both earnest and active members of the First Presbyterian church of Springfield, Mr. Clark doing much for the support and upbuilding of the church. In early lite he gave his political support to the Whig party and afterward endorsed the Republican party on its organization and continued to follow its banners until his death. In his business affairs he was very successful. He took advantage of opportunities that offered, made the most of possibilities and through the diligence and energy which were salient features in his career he acquired a handsome competence. He was popular and well liked, because of his genial and kindly manner and his life history forms no unimportant chapter in the annals of the county with which he was connected from early pioneer times down to the period of later-day progress and advancement. He died September 8, 1892, but his widow still survives him and is now eighty years of age.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.