Clark, Maude Violet

CLARK, BROWN

Posted By: Pat Waldron (email)
Date: 10/11/2003 at 11:37:41

My mother, Maude Violet Clark, was born in Lost Nation on January 4, 1890. Her brother, Roy Leonard Clark, was born in Elwood on May 6, 1891.

Their parents were Joseph Grant Clark and Margaret (Maggie) Chalmadge Brown, who were married on June 16, 1886 in Maquoketa. Their first child was Earl Chester Clark, born September 16, 1887 in LeClair Township, Scott County, Iowa.

The family moved around a lot, because Joseph Clark was a "traveling blacksmith".

When their 4th child, Joseph Grant Clark, Jr., was born on November 11, 1896, in either Reynolds or Preemption, Illinois, Joseph settled down and worked at home out of a blacksmith shop. He was badly injured when a horse kicked him in the chest, and never really recovered. He developed consumption and his doctor advised him to move to a warmer climate, so in 1897 the family moved to San Antonio, Texas.

Other relatives, Maggie's sisters, Ella Brown Codling and Mary Brown Cook, remained in Iowa to raise their families. I hope to be able somehow to connect with some of their descendants.

I just found J.G. Clark (my grandfather, Joseph Grant Clark?) on the list of farmers who received mail from the post office in Clinton County in 1892. J.G. Clark was in Elwood, where his son Roy was born in 1891! I'll be darned, I didn't know he tried farming, thought he was always a blacksmith.

Maggie Brown Clark was an Orphan Train Rider, in 1876, from New York to Maquoketa. That was kept a secret all her life, and only 3 years ago I discovered it.

Also found names in the farmers list of some of the men who took in Maggie's sisters: George Barrack, in Delmar took sister Ella. A "Mr. Robinson", there are 3 listed: Frank, J.M., and John D., took in Mary Brown. How amazing to find those names on your list!

I have done a lot of research, and have just finished writing a book on the subject of the Orphan Trains and about Maggie's life in Iowa and Texas.