J. H. CLARK who has lived in this section of the state for almost six decades, is one of the prosperous and popular citizens of Corydon, where for a number of years he was engaged in the mercantile business. During the past few years, however, he has been employed as a traveling salesman for Chicago, Pennsylvania and Iowa wholesale houses and in this connection has also won a gratifying measure of success.

Mr. CLARK was born near Fort Wayne, in Adams county, Indiana, on the 28th of April, 1850, his parents being John and Elizabeth (LITTLE) CLARK. The father was born in Scott county, Indiana, on the 22d of February, 1817, while the mother's birth occurred in Muskingum county, Ohio, in August, 1820. In 1852 they made the overland journey to the west and on the 24th of October, 1854, took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Wayne county, Iowa, entering land in Union township. Only two houses stood between Corydon and Chariton at that time, and all kinds of wild game abounded. The family did all their trading at Keokuk and Eddyville. In 1858 John CLARK abandoned general agricultural pursuits and embarked in the mercantile business at Freedom. A scrupulously honest man himself, he took it for granted that all people were to be relied upon and thus parted with his goods with but little security. In a short time, therefore, he found himself without either funds or goods and his children were obliged to seek work in the community. He endured all the hardships and privations of pioneer life and bore his full share in the work of early development and upbuilding here. His demise occurred in Page county, Iowa, in 1881, while his wife passed away at Van Wert, Iowa, in September, 1895. Their children were as follows: Mrs. J. M. EDWARDS, who was born in 1837 and resides in Clarinda, Iowa; David, born in 1840, who passed away in 1900; Mrs. William BARNETT, whose birth occurred in 1843 and who is deceased; Z. T., born in 1847, who is a resident of Portland, Oregon; J. H.. of this review; John L., who was born in 1853 and makes his home in Nebraska; Mrs. Isabelle CARVER, born in 1855, who is a resident of Clarinda, Iowa; Mrs. Rosa RASH, whose birth occurred in 1858, and who is a resident of Derby, Iowa; A. B., born in 1860, who is a resident of Ottumwa, Iowa; and Mrs. Lusetta SEARL, deceased. The four younger children were born in Lucas county and the older ones were natives of Indiana.

J. H. CLARK was a little lad of two years when the family home was established in Wayne county, and his youth was spent amid pioneer conditions and surroundings. He was six years old before he saw a piece of bacon and eight years of age before he saw an apple. It was also at the age of six that he saw his first newspaper, The South Tier Democrat, the first year's subscription of which was paid for by his father with a few timber squirrels. Possessing a retentive memory and a keen sense of humor, he has often given amusement by his recital of some of the experiences of his early life. He was one of a large family of children, who had such a wide range over which to roam that on Sunday morning his mother was obliged to send out a dog in order to find them and bring them in for a bath. Clothing was extremely scarce, not owing to style, but necessity, and Mr. CLARK has said that among the children there was often not sufficient cloth to make a respectable tea jacket for a mosquito. He also avers that they ate so much mush and cornbread that all the children had husky voices and that their ears grew abnormally large. Because of his father's unfortunate business venture the children, as above stated, were obliged to assist in the support of the family. A good farm hand at that time received thirteen dollars per month, but this was paid in orders on stores at Chariton and Corydon and not in cash. There was a surplus of cereals and prices were extremely low.

Leaving the farm, Mr. CLARK went to Chariton and there drove a stage for L. D. RUNNELLS & Company and also for the Great Western Stage Company. He traveled in all directions out of Chariton, Indianola, Afton, Corydon and Garden Grove and carried mail to Last Chance, thus becoming well acquainted with all the old settlers of Lucas and Wayne counties. Subsequently he was for a number of years engaged in the mercantile business at Corydon, but during the past eighteen years has been a traveling salesman for Chicago, Pennsylvania and Iowa wholesale houses, in which connection his excellent qualifications and his energy have won him success. He has covered every part of the United States west of Chicago, and, being a close observer, has gained a comprehensive knowledge of the country. He possesses a rich fund of original wit and humor and is considered one of the best story tellers in Iowa, being in great demand at all the old settlers' meetings and the social and fraternal organizations of which he is a member. He is one of the men who discovered the musical talent in Blind Boone, the famous negro pianist, and encouraged him to go before the public.

On the 30th of June, 1870, at Corydon, Iowa, Mr. CLARK was united in marriage to Miss Angeline McVAY, who was born near Sandspring, Iowa, in November, 1850, her parents being John and Betty (HARDESTY) McVAY, natives of Ohio. They became early settlers of Jones county, Iowa, and in 1865 took up their abode in Delaware county, this state. Both passed away at Corydon, Iowa. Their children were as follows: Mrs. Nancy TODD, whose demise occurred in Ohio; H. H., a resident of Drakesville, Iowa; Mrs. Jane TILLY, of Kokomo, Indiana; Mrs. Angeline CLARK; Mrs. Edward LANE, of Mercer county, Missouri; L. P., who has passed away; and Mrs. M. E. FREELAND, whose demise occurred at Mount Ayr.*

Mr. and Mrs. CLARK have four children, namely: Merritt W., who was born on the 12th of August, 1872, and is a photographer of Corydon, Iowa; Mrs. Hollie SEMPLE, born in 1874, who is a resident of Pasadena, California; Fred L., whose birth occurred in 1876 and who is a merchant tailor of Corydon ; and Mrs. Bertha MORRIS, born in 1880, who makes her home at Kahoka, Missouri. All are natives of Corydon and all attended the public schools of that town, two of the children being graduated therefrom. All possess musical talent. While Mr. CLARK has given his children every educational advantage, he was obliged to learn to write while seated on the floor, and the only book lie used in the schoolroom was a speller. The family home, which he owns, is a commodious and well appointed residence in Corydon.

In politics Mr. CLARK is a democrat, while fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Corydon. He and his family are members of the Christian church at Corydon. During practically all of his life he has been closely identified with the region where he now lives. He is one of its best known residents and no man stands higher in the estimation of the people of the community. He has attained success through the application of perseverance and a good judgment that have seldom failed to accomplish the object which he sought, and today he enjoys the results of his well directed endeavors.

* Kitty (McVAY) FREELAND was born November 16, 1861, and died September 28, 1909, with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. M. E. FREELAND was born June 6, 1861, and died August 22, 1935, with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery.

SOURCE: Past and Present of Lucas and Wayne Counties Vol. II., 3rd Series Pp. 27-28. S.J. Clarke Publ. Co. Chicago. 1912.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2009