In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of Ray County, Mo. (1881)
HIRAM J. CLARK.
Was born in Ray county, Missouri, on the farm where he now resides in the year 1813. His father was Dr. Hiram Clark, a practicing physician of Knoxville, and the father of a family of five children, of whom our subject is the youngest. Mr. Clark received his education in the schools of Ray county. His father having died, he bought the interests of the other heirs, and became the sole possessor of the old homestead at the age of nineteen years. Soon after, in 1862, he started west and went to Oregon, where he remained about five months, and then came back as far as Idaho territory. Here he lived about the same length of time as in Oregon, and then returned to Ray county. During the first year after his return he was engaged very profitably, trading in cattle. The next year he took possession of his farm, and has made his home there ever since. Mr. Clark was married on the 28th day of June, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Thomas, daughter of Mr. John Thomas, a resident of Rav county. Seven children were bore to them, five boys and two girls, all now living. Since the war, Mr. Clark has prospered greatly with his farming, and has extended his landed possessions, until now he is the owner of the north half of section one, township 53, range twenty-eight, He is a member ot the old school Baptist Church, and also of lodge No. 309, A. F. & A. M., at Knoxville.
As printed in History of Ray County, Mo. (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.