Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 March 1913 — More About the Life Of Benton County Man [ARTICLE]

More About the Life Of Benton County Man

The Republican only briefly mentioned the death of Heriry D. Clark, of Benton county, not being in possession of any account of his active and, long life there. He was the father of Mrs. Bert Amsler, of'near Rensselaer, and the Benton County Review gives an extended account of his life. The following exerpt is made fyom that paper: Henry David Clark was born in Sommers, Connecticut, December 1, 1822, and died in Fowler, Indiana, March 15, 1913, aged 90 years, 3

months and 14 days. Mr. Clark was a direct descendent of the seventh generation on his father’s side of Captain Dick Clark of the Mayflower. On the maternal side he was a descendent of Governor Bradford of the Plymouth colony, the ifian who issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation. His education was secured at Yale University. In 1851 he came west and located at Chester, 111., where he engaged in the lumber business for a time. In 1854 he joined the rush of gold seekers to California ajrd for two years traveled extensively,, returning to Princeton, 111., in 1856, where he secured employment as conductor on the Burlington railroad, a position which .he held for five years.

When the curse of secession spread its terror through the land and Lincoln called for volunteers, Mr. Clark was among the first to respond and enlisted in Co. C, 42nd Regiment Illinois Volunteers. After a year of service he whs honorably discharged on account* of'disability received in the army. Mr. Clark was married in 1869 to Miss Caroline O. Dielpnson at Reynolds, and to them six children were born, five of whomi with their mother, survive their venerable fath er: Henry M., Gideon C., and Richard M., of Fowler; Bradford, of Lafayette, and Mrs. Bert Amsler, of Rensselaer. He was the oldest merchant jhere, having established the first store here in 1872. In the year 1873 he assisted his brother Gideon, jvho was a missionary, to organize the First Presbyterian church of Fowler, of .which he continued a member until his death. For 61 yeaj’S he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was also a member of Benton Post No. 25, ($. A. R.

Mr. Clark was the oldest resident of Fowler and one of the oldest in the county. He came to Fowler When the settlement' was in its .infancy and has had his part in its development. He belqnged to that inFble band of men and women who came here at an early day and faced the difficulties* and endured the hardships of pioneer life. It is to such as he that we are indebted for our beautiful country and the advantages which we are enjoying today. It is related that his devotion to the principles of Odd Fellowship were deep rooted by a circumstance which occurred during the long ov erland trip to California in 1854. Mr, Clark was stricken with smallpox and a council meeting of the members of the caravan was held and it was decided that self-preser-vation demanded that the stricken man be abandoned. At this juncture another member of Odd Fellowship offered his services as nurse and declared that he would not abandon a comrade. It was finally arranged that their wagon should follow the others at a safe distance and through the ensuing weeks the sufferer was nursed back to health by the man who was bound to him by ties of Odd Fellowship. A large number of friends gath' ered to pay their last respects to .this sturdy pioneer. . ’ I ;

Good thingZfor your Easter dinner Sunday: Leaf and head lettuce, nice ripe tomatoes, celery, radishes, sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots, and cabbage. Fancy apples, grape fruit, bananas, oranges, and cranberries, and at prices within the reactt of all. JOHN EGER.

Many ills come from impure blood. Can’t have pure blood with faulty digestion, lazy liver fend sluggish bowels. Burdock Blood Bitters is recommended for strengthening stomach, bowels and liver and purifying the blood.