|
Warren C. Clark, City Clerk of Freeport, is one of the old residents and landmarks of the county, to which he came from his native State of Vermont over forty years ago. He was born in Peru, Bennington County, March 10, 1814, and is the son of Dr. Silas Clark, a highly respected citizen and physician of the Green Mountain State. The latter was born in Windham County, where he grew to manhood and commenced the practice of medicine, which he continued for many years. Upon his removal he sought the western part of New York State, settling in Herkimer County in the Mohawk Valley, where he commanded a large practice and became prominent among the substantial residents of that section.
The mother of our subject was, before her marriage, Miss Nancy Day, a native of Connecticut, and the daughter of Russell and Anna (Chapman) Day, who were also native of Connecticut, and died in Peru, Windham Co.,Vt. They were of English descent, and early settlers of the Green Mountain State. The household of Dr. Clark included two sons and four daughters, of whom Warren C. was the youngest. He was reared by his grandparents until seventeen years old, in the meantime receiving a fair education in the common schools. He then went to Herkimer County, N. Y., where he remained until his marriage with Miss Emily R. Everett, who was born in the town of Litchfield, that county, in 1818. They resided there until 1850, then started for the West. Locating in Freeport Mr. Clark established himself in trade, with a stock of clothing, including boots and shoes, which he carried on successfully for several years. He then engaged in fire insurance business and became agent of some of the best companies in the United States. He seemed admirably adapted to this calling, and was intrusted with important interests, finally becoming Adjusting Agent for Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, an office he filled most creditably until 1878. In 1880 he was appointed City Clerk to fill the vacancy occurring by the resignation of H. C. Hutchison, and after serving out the unexpired term was elected to the office, which he has since held continuously.
Prior to the outbreak of the late Rebellion, Mr. Clark was a decided Douglas Democrat and one of the most liberal contributors to the fund for the vigorous prosecution of the war. He sympathized entirely with the Union cause and has given personal aid to many a homeless and afflicted soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have two children only, both daughters: Sarah C is the widow of B. L. Porter, of Rutland, Vt., and the mother of one son, Benjamin W.; Emma E. married H. J. Porter and became the mother of two daughters. She is a resident of Freeport.
We regret to say that as the above was going to press we saw from the Chicago papers that Mr. Clark's death took place very suddenly, in Freeport, in the month of December, of the current year, 1887.
Contributed by Carroll Parrish
|