Clark, Francis C. (1829-1916)

CLARK

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/10/2006 at 14:16:42

Dr. Francis C. Clark
Jan 31, 1829 - Dec 18, 1916

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.17, Council Bluffs)
F. C. Clark, dentist, Council Bluffs, was born in Maine, in 1829, and in 1850 went to California by way of Cape Horn. He was married in Boise City, Idaho, in 1863, and his wife's relations residing in Iowa, he resolved to settle there, and accordingly came overland to this State. He came to Council Bluffs in September, 1864, and engaged in business there in 1865. He has four children. He is a member of Excelsior Lodge.

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.487)
Dr. F. C. CLARK, a dentist of Council Bluffs, has been identified with the interest of Pottawattamie County since 1865. He is a native of the State of Maine, born in Waldo County, January 31, 1829, the son of Amasa and Martha COMBS CLARK, natives of Maine, and of English and French descent. The paternal ancestors came to this country on the Mayflower. Dr. CLARK was reared on a farm, receiving a common-school education. He resided in Maine until 1849, when he was enticed by the accounts of the gold fields then discovered in California; previous to this he had worked at shipbuilding. He went as a passenger in the bark Mitas around Cape Horn, being 140 days from West Thornston, Maine, to San Francisco, at which place he worked for a time at $12 per day. He soon engaged in mining on Feather River, which he followed for six years, with varying success. He then studied dentistry, practicing in California and Idaho until he came to Pottawattamie County.

Dr. CLARK was married in Boise City, Idaho, June 11, 1865, to Mrs. Mary E. BABBIT nee Miss Mary E. PAGE, of Elgin, Illinois, a lady of Scotch descent. About a year after their marriage he came to Council Bluffs, where he has since practiced his profession. By her former marriage Mrs. CLARK had three children: Louisa Maria, William Newton and Albert Augustus; and by this marriage she has six, four of whom still survive: Mary Frances, Martha Ann, Marcia Lily, and Mittie Jane. Mrs. CLARK is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Dr. CLARK is a Master Mason of Excelsior Lodge, No. 259, A. F. & A. M. Politically he affiliates with the Republican Party.