JOHN H. CLARK was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1815, a son of William and Rosana (Hurst) Clark. The father was a native of Ohio, and in 1838 penetrated the frontier to Illinois, and located in Schuyler county. He erected a sawmill, which he operated for eight years, and then disposed of the property, retiring from active labor; he died at the home of John J. Redick, aged seventy four years; his wife was born Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and died at the old homestead in Schuyler county, aged sixty-four years. John H. is one of a family of eight children, and the only surviving member. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred March 1, 1848, when he was united to Miss Rena Black; she was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, and died here in early womanhood; she was the mother of four children, two of whom are living: Mary E. is married and has four children; Lorena is married and the mother of one child. Mr. Clark was married again in 1858, to Miss Mary Carter, a native of Ohio, who died in Schuyler county, Illinois, at the age of forty years. The third union was in 1870, when Mr. Clark was married to Miss Sarah E. Lawler; she was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, October 22, 1821, a daughter of James and Nancy (Harris) Lawler.

In 1870, Mr. Clark settled on a farm near his father's home, and began the task of clearing a heavily timbered tract; there he labored industriously for eight years, and then sold the place; he bought the farm he now owns soon afterward, but only eleven acres were cleared, and a log cabin was the only place of habitation. Since then he has witnessed the many changes that have been wrought by the hand of progress, and has done his share in making the path clear for the advance of civilization. His dealings with his fellow-men have been characterized by a strict integrity and keen sense of honor that have won the highest respect of all who know him.

The parents of Mrs. Clark, James and Diana (Thomas) Lawler, reared a family of five children, four of whom survive; the maternal ancestors came from Ireland, and the father participated in the war of the Revolution; he died at the age of seventy-five years, and she survived to the age of sixty.

Politically the subject of this sketch affiliates with the Democratic party, and has always supported its issues. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian Church.