NATHAN CLARK
Page 381
NATHAN CLARK
Page 381
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NATHAN CLARK. Among the residents of Mason County who have prosecuted their life work successfully and are now enjoying the fruits of their prudence and energy, surrounded with comforts, is the gentleman above named, who is well and favorably known to many of our readers. He is now occupying a pleasant home in Havana, which is the center of social and domestic joys, being presided over by a most estimable lady. Mr. Clark is a native of New York, and was born at Cooperstown, Otsego County, May 9, 1818. His father, John Clark, was a native of Massachusetts, whence he removed to the Empire State, where is carried on his business of a boot and shoe merchant. He in turn was a son of John Clark, Sr., whose ancestors came from England and located in Massachusetts in an early day. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Prudence Merritt. She likewise was born in the Bay State, and her father was born in France. Nathan Clark, of this sketch, received his early education in the common schools of New York, and when old enough began his business career as a clerk in his father's store. Early in life he displayed a remarkable talent for music, and while acting in the capacity of clerk carried on his musical studies. When only nineteen years of age he played the violin for Gen. Winfield Scott to dance. He was very proficient as a performer on the violin, trombone and bass viol, and in Cooperstown, N. Y., organized a band and orchestra, of which he was the director for many years. In 1857 our subject came west to Indiana, where he remained until the fall of 1863, when he located in the county, and here he purchased a farm, upon which his family resided until July, 1892. For the first five years after settling here Mr. Clark filled the position of conductor on the Jacksonville South-eastern Railroad, but at the end of that time he returned to the farm, which he was engaged in cultivating until removing to Havana. He still owns his estate, however, which comprises one hundred and twenty acres of fine land in Quiver Township. In September, 1845, Nathan Clark and Miss Elvira, daughter of Capt. Philo Benedict, were united in marriage. The lady was born in Otsego County, N. Y., while her father was a native of Danbury, Conn., and her mother, Mrs. Rebecca (Chase) Benedict, was born in Now York. Mrs. Clark received her education in the Empire State, where he father was a well-to-do merchant. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Clark was Jonah Chase, of New England. To our subject and his wife have been born nine children. All of whom a living, viz.: Leslie B.; Inez E., the wife of John Clay, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Addie S., the widow of E. W. Eads; Sadie E., engaged in teaching school in Biggs' Station; Jerome B., located at Delavan, this state; Elbridge G., residing in Homewood, Ill.; Marion M., whose home is in this city; Katie, Mrs. Luther Hoppins, of Nebraska; and Nathan, a telegraph operator. Besides being a man of much energy, tact and business capacity, Mr. Clark is also an artist of local reputation and has many fine pictures, which now adorn the walls of his home. He lives in a neat and tastily furnished frame residence in the city which marks the presence of an intelligent and cultured household. |