The livery business engages the attention of Hi. O. Clark, who
formerly devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits in which he met
with success. He is one of Macoupin county’s sons, his birth having
occurred in Gillespie on the 9th of November, 1863, his parents being
John J. and Melvina (Huddleston) Clark. When a lad of seven years the
father migrated from Kentucky to Illinois with his parents, who located
on a farm in the vicinity of Gillespie, in 1829. There the father
devoted his attention to farming until his demise, which occurred before
he had attained middle age. John J. Clark, who was the fourth in order
of birth of the eight children born unto his parents grew to manhood on
his father’s farm, obtaining his education in the district schools. The
other members of the family were as follows: Margaret, James, Robert,
Benjamin, Joseph, Samuel and Susan, the wife of James Estabrook of
Morrisonville, Illinois. When old enough to begin his independent career
as an agriculturist, John J. Clark purchased forty acres of land and
after clearing disposed of it and purchased an eighty acre tract. He was
a successful farmer and at one time owned four hundred and sixty acres
of land in Gillespie and Brushy Mound townships. During the latter years
of his life he divided his holdings among his children and removed to
Gillespie, where he passed away in 1903 at the age of eighty-one. The
mother had died ten years previously. She was a daughter of John
Huddleston and a native of Kentucky, whence she came to Illinois with
her parents, who were among the pioneer settlers of Brushy Mound
township. There the father acquired government land which he cleared and
improved, he and the mother continuing to make their home on the farm
until they passed away, at a ripe old age. Their family consisted of
Samuel, Melvina, Lydia, Elizabeth, Melinda, Ellen and Robert. John J.
Clark was one of the highly respected and esteemed citizens of Macoupin
county. In matters of religion his views coincided with the principles
of the Universalist church, with which denomination he is affiliated.
To Mr. and Mrs. John J. Clark were born six sons and three
daughters: Lee, who is a resident of Kansas City, Missouri; Mark W., who
is living in Gillespie township; Ariet, the wife of Eugene Crawford, of
Gillespie; Me., who is living in St. Louis; Cora B., the wife of George
Wilson, of Brushy Mound township; Hi. O., our subject; Schuyler C., a
resident of Underwood, Washington; Nettie B., the wife of George
Schmidt, of Gillespie; and Meade, who is living in Fresno, California.
The early years in the life of Hi. O. Clark were spent on the
farm where he was born, his education being pursued in the district
schools of the vicinity. Just prior to his marriage his father gave him
some financial assistance, enabling him to purchase eighty acres of
partially improved land. Here he located and for eleven years
successfully engaged in the operation of his farm. In 1903 he sold his
place and removing to Gillespie went into the livery business with which
he was identified for six years. Disposing of his interests there, he
came to Carlinville, in August, 1909, where he has followed the same
business. His stable is thoroughly equipped with a fine line of vehicles
and a good grade of horses, which are well kept, enabling him to
accommodate his patrons with attractive turnouts.
On the 24th of
February, 1892, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Kate Combes, a
daughter of Edwin S. and Julia (Snyder) Combes. Mrs. Clark was born in
Hilyard township, this county, her parents being among the pioneer
settlers of that vicinity. There were five children in the family of Mr.
and Mrs. Combes: Mary, Kate, Grace, Lloyd and Carrie, all of whom are
living, as are the parents. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Clark
spent their latter years in Macoupin county, having attained a ripe old
age at the time of their demise. They had two sons and a daughter:
Edwin, Daniel and Carrie, the wife of Abraham Richards. The union of Mr.
and Mrs. Clark has been blessed by the birth of one son, Lloyd O.
Mr. Clark is an ardent advocate of the principles of the republican
party, and has served as road commissioner and school director. Although
he has been connected with the business circles of Carlinville but for a
brief period, it has been of sufficient length for him to manifest those
qualities which will enable his business to develop and prosper.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 478-479.
Macoupin County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by
Templates in Time
This page was last updated
07/01/2022