Roy Clark

As printed in 1906

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 A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.