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 ILLIAM CLARK, a native of Greene County, Pa., was born Feb. 14, 1814, and was
the ninth in a family of thirteen children,
the offspring of Samuel and Lydia (Strong) Clark.
His father was a shoemaker by trade, but strongly
inclined to a country life, and occupied a farm in
Greene County, while at the same time carrying on
his trade as time and opportunity afforded. He
removed from his native State to Ohio while still a
young man, and thence to Harrison County, Ind.,
where he continued to pursue his farming operations and shoemaking until resting from his earthly
labors, at the ripe old ago of eighty-seven years.
In the meantime he had served in the War of
1812, and frequently related many interesting incidents of army life, the remembrance of which
continued with him until his last days. He was a
man of much intelligence and kept pace with current events. The mother of William Clark died when her son was too young to remember her. He continued on the farm with his father until thirteen years old, and in the meantime worked considerably at cabinet-making. At the age of fourteen he went to learn the hatter’s trade, and followed this nine years, afterward engaging in the dry-goods trade at Cynthiana, Ind. From there he removed not long afterward to Portland, this State, transporting his stock and settling up his business there. His next removal was to Brandywine, and thence to Beard’s Mill, where he ran a country store one year, and then traded his stock of goods for eighty acres of land. It had been partially improved and he at once began its cultivation, occupying it just thirteen years to a day. In the meantime, on the 29th of November, 1839, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A., daughter of Ephraim and Winnifred (Hood) Tucker, and who was the third in a family of eight children. Mrs. Clark was born in Preble County, Ohio, July 6, 1818. Her father had served as a soldier in the War of 1812, but soon after entering the army was disabled from active service. Mr. and Mrs. Clark soon after their marriage located on the eighty-acre farm first purchased by our subject. After selling this Mr. C. came to this county and purchased 150 acres of improved land on section 32, in Mattoon Township, taking possession on the 1st of September, 18.03. With the exception of two years spent in Mattoon for the purpose of completing the education of their children, this has been the home of our subject and his wife for the last thirty-four years. He developed into one of the best farmers in this section, and invested his surplus capital in additional land until he became the owner of about 800 acres, embracing some of the choicest soil in this locality. His residence and other farm buildings are tasteful and substantial structures, and the entire premises has the air of peace and plenty, while the stock and pasture lands each year yield a handsome income to the proprietor. He and his estimable wife are now passing down the hill of life, but they have made for themselves a good record, and one of which their descendants will never he ashamed. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark one died in infancy. The survivors are Mary Angeline. Eliza Jane, William Henry, Martha Ann, Samuel Ephraim, Emma Elizabeth and James Calvin. |
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