The little hamlet of Clarksville which hardly deserves the dignity of a village, is situated in the eastern part of the township and dates its history from the year 1851. It was a cherished thought of George Lee, to be the founder of a town, coupled with the desire of a speculation, which he thought would be realized out of the venture. The outgrowth of these desires was the village, which was surveyed and platted by James Lawrence, county surveyor, in January of the year referred to. The town is situated on the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 36, and commands a very beautiful location. Its close proximity to Marshall, and absence of facilities, prevented business men from locating in the village, and consequently its growth has been very slow. The first house in the village was erected by John Myers, who ran a shoe shop in the village for a number of years. Reason Beadle erected a store building shortly after the town was laid out, which he stocked with a general assortment of merchandise. He did business for five years, when he sold to a man named Kline who in turn disposed of the store to Mr. Stevenson, the present proprietor, after having run it a short time.1 **To be continued**

Notes & Sources:
W. H. Perrin, History of Crawford and Clark Counties, O. L. Baskin & Co., 1883 Transcribed by L. K Ortman