History of Hamilton County Ohio
Portrait, with biography, of Jacob Clark
facing page 421
transcribed by Linda Boorom


Jacob Clark

JACOB CLARK

Jacob CLARK was born at Wakefield, New Hampshire, June 25, 1819. His great-great-grandfather, Robert CLARK, came from England at the close of the Seventeenth century and settled at Stratham, the same State; was the father of five sons and two daughters: Mayhew, Benjamin, John, Satchell and Jacob, the latter, who was born April 15, 1751, is his grandfather. Jacob CLARK, sr., had three sons and two daughters: John, Mayhew and Johnson being the sons; the former being the father of Jacob CLARK, jr.

His great-grandfather, on his mother's side. came from England at a very early day, and settled at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Thomas COTTON, his grandfather, was professionally a Free-Will Baptist preacher, and father of five children, Betsey, his oldest daughter, being the mother of Jacob CLARK, jr., but who died when he was six years old. John CLARK was born May 8, 1784, at Wakefield, New Hampshire, and married three times. By the second marriage, November 10, 1814, to Mrs. COTTON, who was born at Wolfboro. New Hampshire, November 17, 1793, four sons and two daughters were born, Jacob being the third son. Johnson, his father's brother, is the only uncle on this side who is living, and, out of a family of ten children, only one son remains, who lives at Salem, Massachusetts. Jacob's brothers and sisters are: John, Thomas C., Johnson, Lucy P., Elizabeth P., Isaac T. Savinia G., and Mary B. John is dead; Johnson served as surgeon in the late war at Fortress Monroe in 1861; Savinia and Mary are both dead. Jacob obtained his early education by attending the old district school from two and one-half to five months in the year. At sixteen he left home with ten dollars - seven of which was given him by his father - and went to Dorchester, Massachusetts, but what is now Boston, and labored for two years. By means thus accumulated, he returned to New Hampshire, and attended school at Wolfboro - a select school - and also soon after at a school at Merideth village, same State, and Parsonville, Maine. In 1838 he taught at Water village, and in 1839 at Merideth. After these two years at teaching he left for Boston with ten dollars again, and served as a clerk for three years at the Elm Street house, Hanover and Broomfield. His employer, Daniel CHAMBERLAIN, offered to set him up in business, but on account of ill-health and a desire to see the west, he left Boston in 1843, and came by rail to Albany, New York, and from there to Buffalo by canal, a distance of three hundred and sixty-nine miles; then to Cleveland by steamer; thence to Portsmouth by canal, and to Cincinnati by steamer. He remained for three days in the city, and then crossed over in Kentucky engaged to work for Colonel James TAYLOR three months. After this time he resided at Locust Corner, Clermont county with the exception of three years and six months, when he came to Sweet Wine, this county. While at the latter place he acted in the capacity of school teacher for three years, and trafficked generally.

February 1, 1849, he married Mary Ann RICKER, Rev. John WESTEMAN, a travelling Methodist minister, performing the ceremony. By this marriage three sons and four daughters were born, of whom three are living - Addie, Leslie and Jewett. The eldest son married Louisa WINDELER, of Cincinnati, November 7, 1876, and lives in Clermont county, occupying a handsome residence on a high point of land, and is one of the prominent fruit growers in this section. He is the father of two sons: Jacob Raymond and George Edward. Mrs. CLARK's great-grand-father, Jabez RICKER, was born in Berwick, Maine. Her grand-father, Samuel RICKER, was born in the same place, July 7, 1766, and came from sound English parentage. Susanna JEWETT, her grand-mother, was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, March 28, 1770, and married in 1790. Her father was born, July 7, 1796, and married Mary Reed WILSON, November 24, 1816, of Durham, Maine, in Campbell county, Kentucky. Her mother was born February 12, 1800. By this marriage two sons and three daughters were born; Mrs. CLARK being the fourth, who was born November 26, 1827, in Rush county, Indiana. While at Locust Corner, Mr. CLARK held the office of postmaster fifteen years, though actively engaged in keeping a country store and dealing in real estate. Since 1875 he has engaged mostly in turnpikes, building most of the New Richmond and Columbia road, and is owner of twenty miles. Three Clermont county pikes have been aided much through his skill, and, as a government and county contractor, is prominent.

Politically, he affiliated himself with the anti-slavery people, and has since, in the matter of public offices, been mentioned for some of the most influential positions in the county.

His health is good, and from it flows a generous and warm friendship, which is eagerly sought and never found wanting.

He is one of our genial men. Business tact and energy have rewarded him with unparalleled success in financial matters. His judgment is rarely at fault, and his word cannot be questioned.