CLARK, George

CLARK, POTTER, TAYLOR, GERMOND, WARD, CLARK, SMITH, TINKER, AMSLEY, HUBBEL, DAVIS, BEARD

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/19/2003 at 20:13:35

GEORGE CLARK. 

George T. Clark, deceased, was one of the gallant defenders of the Union during the dark day of the Civil war, and was an honored citizen of Delmar for many years. He was a native of New York, corn in Essex county May 29, 1840, and was a son of Truman and Axia (Potter) Clark, the former also a native of the Empire state, the latter of Vermont. In March, 1845, the father came to Iowa, bringing his family with him, the journey being made across the country in a wagon. On reaching Clinton county he entered land in Bloomfield township, and this wild tract he at one commenced to improve and cultivate. Later he added to it until he had one hundred and twenty-five acres, upon which he resided until February, 1874, when he removed to Delmar and purchased property, making his home there until called to his final rest, March 29, 1889. His wife died in January, 1899, and the remains of both were interred in the Union Church cemetery about three miles northwest of Delmar. The were the parents of five children, namely: Matilda, Marietta and George, all now deceased; Byron, a resident of Nebraska; and Pauline, wife of J. Taylor, of Clinton county, Iowa. They reside on the old homestead.

George Clark was not quite five years old when brought by his parents to this county, and to its common schools he was indebted for his educational privileges. He remained under the parental roof until about twenty years of age, and then began farming on his own account. When the country became involved in civil war he manifested his patriotism by enlisting, August 9, 1962, for three years, in Company I, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service with his regiment until March, 1864, when he was injured and was given a position as chief teamster of the company’s wagon train. Later he sailed from New Orleans to Baltimore with five hundred teams under his supervision, and on his arrival at the later place was promoted to wagon master of the army corps, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged at Savannah, Georgia, July 25, 1865, and returned to his father’s home in August.

On the 28th of March, 1864, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Helen M. Germond, a daughter of Seneca S. and Sarah A. (Ward) Germond, both natives of New York, the former born in Dutchess county, the latter in Cortland county. In 1855, they came west, traveling by rail to Galena, Illinois, and by wagon from that place to Jackson county, Iowa. The father served three terms as sheriff of Chautauqua county, New York, to which position he was first elected in 1849, and he had just been re-elected for a fourth term before coming to Iowa. He located in Maquoketa, Jackson county, and became one of the leading lawyers of that place, practicing in the courts of both Jackson and Clinton counties. As a Republican he took a very active and prominent part in political affairs, and was one of the most influential citizens of Maquoketa. He served as mayor of the city six years, and filed the office of justice of the peace for the long period of twenty years. Fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He died August 29, 1878, at the age of sixty-four years, and his widow now makes her home with a daughter in Maquoketa. Unto them were born the following children: Helen A., who was born in Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, New York, and is now Mrs. Clark; Sarah, wife of Alfred Smith, of Minneapolis; Milton, a resident of St. Paul; Seneca, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of George Tinker, of Minneapolis; Cora, who married Milton Amsley, and both are now deceased; Caddie, wife of H. B. Hubbel, a banker of Maquoketa; and Frank a resident of Minneapolis.

Mr. and Mrs. Clark had nine children: (1) Truman, a farmer of South Dakota, married Carrie Clark, and they have two children, Grace and Frederick. (2) Etta M. is the wife of Ransom Davis, a farmer of Clinton county, Iowa, and they have four children, Louis, Florence, Oliver and Leona. (3) Carlota is the wife of Schuyler Beard, of Lyon county, Iowa, ad they have two children, Helen and Mary. (4) Eugene is a minister of the Free Methodist church, and is now preaching in Toddville township, Linn county. (5) Freb B. is deceased. (6) Harry, who resides in Lyons county. (7) Frank; (8) William and (9) Edith are all at home.

After his return from the war, Mr. Clark engaged in farming upon a tract of forty acres for a few years, but was soon forced to discontinue that occupation on account of the injuries he sustained during his army life. Selling his farm, he followed various pursuits until 1877, when he removed to Delmar, and made his home at that place until his death, which occurred June 11, 1895. His remains were interred in the Delmar cemetery. His widow now receives a pension of eight dollars per month, while Edith, his youngest child, gets two dollars. The family continue to reside in Delmar and are numbered among its most highly respected citizens. In his political affiliations Mr. Clark was a Republican and he always took a commendable interest in all enterprises tending to advance the public welfare. He was widely and favorably known and was held in high regard by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.