Illinois sent many brave, patriotic and self-sacrificing men to the front during the Civil War, among whom was our subject, who won great honor as a soldier and rose from a private to the rank of Second Lieutenant of his company. During his more active years he was one of the most prominent farmers of township 4 north, range 1 east, and rendered good service in the aid he gave other agriculturists in promoting the growth of this part of Marion County. He is now living retired in Patoka, to which place he removed in 1876.

Our subject, who was born July 8, 1842, in Clinton County, this state, is the son of Abner and Kittie M. (LORD) Clark. The father was a native of Delaware, and was born in January, 1812. He grew to manhood in that state, received a good education, and made agriculture his life occupation, giving special attention to fruit-growing. On coming to this state about seventy-five years ago, he located in East Fork Township, Clinton County, and accumulated fifteen hundred acres of land, which he cultivated to good advantage, becoming one of the well-to-do farmers of that section. He attained the age of seventy-six years, four months and twelve days. A public-spirited man, he was greatly interested in school affairs, and for fifteen years served efficiently as Director of his district.

The mother of our subject, who was also a native of Delaware, was a most estimable lady, and was descended from an old and prominent family of that state. By her union with Abner Clark she became the mother of nine children, seven of whom are still living. They are, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Squire GAULTNEY, of Clinton County; Abner, who married Miss Ellen MADDOX and lives in Clinton County, Ill.; George, who married Jane CARTER and resides in Clinton County; John, who married Kate EDWARDS and is a resident of Allen County, Kan.; Henry, of this sketch; Thomas, who lives on the old homestead, and who married Mary E. HILL, and Mary, who became the wife of Thomas RICE, of Clinton County.

Henry Clark grew to manhood in his native county, and after receiving a good district school education aided his father in carrying on the home farm until the outbreak of the late war. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted his services with the Union army, joining Company A, Twenty-second Illinois Infantry, and bears the distinction of being the third man to enlist from his section of Clinton County. He accompanied his regiment on their journey to Belleville, and on the expiration of his three months' term of enlistment returned home. Later he helped raise Company K, Thirtieth Illinois Infantry, of which he was elected First Lieutenant. Being too young, however, he never received his commission, and joining Company I, of the same regiment, went with his comrades to Camp Yates, Ill., thence to Cairo. He was about the only man in his company who thoroughly understood military tactics, and although not commissioned, acted as officer of the day for some time.

While in the army our subject participated in the battle of Belmont, which was fought November 7, 1861, and did active service in many noted engagements up to July 22, 1864, when he was taken prisoner at Atlanta, Ga., and conveyed to Andersonville Prison. Being a line officer he was not compelled to enter the prison, but voluntarily did so, as he wished to be with his brother, John, who was an inmate of that foul den. After sixty-three days in Andersonville, he was exchanged, in September, 1864, under what was known as the Sherman Exchange, after which he was detailed to guard seven hundred rebel prisoners. These he took to Chattanooga, and while there received his honorable discharge and returned home. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant June 20, 1862, on account of valiant service rendered before Vicksburg.

January 1, 1865, Mr. Clark married Miss Eliza, the daughter of Joseph and Kittie FOSTER, natives of Ohio. By this union Mr. Clark became the father of a son, Harry, who died in his youth. His first wife died in July, 1866, and October 8, 1868, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Anna BUTLER. He has been a resident of Marion County since 1874, and is the possessor of three hundred acres of valuable land in East Fork Township, and six hundred and twenty acres in township 4, range 1. He also owns eighty acres in Fayette County, this state, forty acres in Odin Township, Marion County, a house and lot in Washington County, Ill., and a fine residence in Patoka, where he now makes his home.

Mr. Clark is greatly interested in the upbuilding of his community, and aids whatever measures he deems will be of benefit to public interests. He is at present Chairman of the Loan and Protective Association of Patoka, which is accounted one of the most substantial and reliable associations in Marion County. Socially, as might be expected, he is a prominent Grand Army man, and in politics is a stanch Republican. With his wife he is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in all things is looked up to by his fellow-townsmen. As one of the wealthiest and most progressive citizens of the county, we take pleasure in presenting this biography to our readers.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois, 1894, Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, IL

Submitted by: Connie Albers

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