JOHN M. CLARK

JOHN M. CLARK is one of the prominent early settlers of Monroe Township. In 1871 he bought 160 acres of land, paying $10 per acre. The first season he broke sixty acres and built a small frame house. He has since erected a larger dwelling, and has made many improvements upon the place, until it is considered one of the best in the township. John M. Clark was born in Knox County, Tennessee, near Knoxville, January 11, 1871, and is a son of John and Catherine (Moats) Clark. His father was a native of South Carolina, his ancestors coming from Scotland, near Glasgow. His mother was born in Virginia, of German ancestry. Mr. Clark, the subject of this notice, was reared in Knox County, Tennessee. At the age of nineteen years he enlisted and went to the Indian or Seminole war in Florida, under General Wool. He served twelve months, and at the end of that time was honorably discharged. When he was twentyone years old the Clark family removed to Kentucky, traveling over the Cnmberland Mountains in ox-carts. They settled in Warren County, Kentucky. Mr. Clark was married September 4, 1839, to Mary Ann Renshaw, who was born and reared in Kentucky, and who was a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Renshaw. By this union two children were born - William J., of Audubon County, Iowa, and Martha E., wife of W. H. Debord, of Monroe Township. Mrs. Mary Ann Clark died in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, in 1847, the family having removed from Kentucky to Illinois in 1844. They remained there three years, Mr. Clark being engaged in lead-mining. After the death of his wife he returned to Kentucky, and November 22, 1849, he was married to Maria Sarah Quick, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Charles and Patsey (Foster) Quick. By this marriage four children were born - J. M. B., of Clay Township; Isabel Catherine, wife of J. Brindley; Sarah Jane, wife of J. S. Morgan, of Walnut, and Robert Allen, of Pottawattamie County. Mrs. Sarah Clark died July 1, 1858. In 1854 Mr. Clark removed to Grant County, Wisconsin, and settled near Plattville, where they lived until 1871, when they came to Shelby County.

Mr. Clark supports the issues of the Democratic party. In religious opinion he is of the Baptist faith, his father being a minister of that denomination. Although seventy-three years of age, Mr. Clark is young in mind and well preserved in body. He has traveled much, is well informed, of a genial disposition, and is highly respected by all who know him.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 612. Transcribed and submitted by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

Site Terms, Conditions & Disclaimer