LUKE W. CLARK, M.D., has been a close student of his profession for many years, and long ago won an enviable reputation as a skillful practitioner. He was born in Pike County, Ohio, September 6, 1841. His father, Ebenezer Clark, was a native of the State of New York, and was there reared and married, his wife's maiden name being Julia A. Wilcox, also of the Empire State. His early life was spent amid rural scenes, in closest touch with Nature, who is always a wise and gentle teacher. He attended the common schools, and in his youth began the study of botany and medicine; there was not a tree or plant in the State of Illinois with which he was not as familiar as with the members of his own household. He emigrated to Ohio, and there was engaged in agricultural pursuits; he was still devoted to the study of medicine, and after the family came to Illinois and located at Rushville, in 1845, he began the practice of his profession, which he continued to the time of his death. While for many years he enjoyed a wide and paying practice, he did not accumulate wealth; he was kind to the poor and did much for charity; in his death the poor lost one of their staunchest friends. In politics he was an ardent supporter of Republican principles; in his religious faith he was also possessed of the courage of his convictions, denying any future state; he did not approve of secret societies. His wife died in February, 1892; they had born to them nine children, all of whom lived to years of maturity: Marcus, a physician, died at Vermont, Illinois, in 1892; Franklin is a farmer in McDonough county; Victor is a farmer in Adair county, Missouri; Luke W. is the subject of this sketch; Albert R. is practicing medicine at Vermont, Illinois; Mary married Dr. B. F. Taylor, and died at Vermont, Illinois; Lucy is the wife of Jacob Trout, of Rushville; Cornelia is the wife of C. P. Neill; Emaline married William Barber.
Dr. Luke W. Clark received his literary education in the common schools of Rushville, and at the age of sixteen years began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of his father, with whose botanical remedies he became familiar. After finishing his medical education he came to Rushville and engaged in practice with his father. He is now one of the oldest physicians in Schuyler county, and has a large and lucrative practice.
Dr. Clark was married in 1872, to Miss Frances Schenk, a daughter of John Schenk, and a native of Fulton county, Illinois. Four sons have blessed this union: Wheeler, Myron, Earl and Homer.
The Doctor is a member of the State Medical Eclectic Society; in all his professional relations he has preserved that integrity and honor which graced the name of his father. He has been a close student of the science of medicine, and employs a set of remedies which have come to be known as "Clark's Family medicines," and are now manufactured for the trade. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.