Robert Clark, who is serving as highway commissioner of Mount
Olive township, is a prominent and successful farmer, and a highly esteemed
citizen of Macoupin County, where he owns and cultivates a farm of 80 acres,
situated in section 6, Mount Olive township. He was born in Staunton
township, Macoupin County, Illinois, October 6, 1852, and is a son of
William and Eliza (Little) Clark.
William Clark was born in County
Derry, Ireland, and immigrated to America about 1840 with his wife and three
children, settling in Staunton township, where he took up the occupation of
farming, at which he continued his entire life. Mr. Clark was a home loving
man and took a great interest in his family and home. He was a man well
liked and was of high standing in his community. His wife, Eliza Little, was
a native of County Derry, Ireland. Nine children were born to them, namely:
William, of Johnson County, Missouri; Eliza (Bruce), of Staunton township,
Macoupin County; Samuel, of Staunton township, Macoupin County; James, of
Madison County, Illinois; John; Mary Ann, who died when 16 years of age;
Robert, our subject; Henry, of Spangle, Washington, and Isabelle, who died
when seven years of age. Mr. Clark died in Staunton township, January 17,
1878, having reached the age of 70 years. The death of his wife followed in
September, 1894, she having attained the age of 77 years. Mr. and Mrs. Clark
were members of the Presbyterian Church.
Robert Clark has always
been engaged in the pursuits of general farming and has met with unusual
success in his operations. He recently sold three acres of his farm to the
railroad for right-of-way and has sold the coal right to a large mining
company. His farm is situated near the new town of Benld. Mr. Clark located
on his present farm in the spring of 1881 and immediately began the
cultivation of the place, having at present one of the best tilled farms to
be found for many miles. Politically, Mr. Clark is a Republican and has held
several school offices in the past. In fraternal circles he is a member of
the Modern Woodmen of America.
On March 7, 1877, Mr. Clark was
united in marriage to Britannia Sawyer, a native of Mount Olive township and
a daughter of Ebern and Mary A. (Best) Sawyer. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the
parents of nine children, eight of whom are living, namely: Edward, LeRoy,
Ethel May, Erbie Irene, William Robinson, Archie, Florence and Bertha. The
deceased child is Frank, who died when four years of age.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 476-477.
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