The subject of this sketch can rightfully be termed the father of Buffalo. Not only is he the oldest settler in the southwestern part of the county, but he has been one of the most influential characters of the county, and was known throughout the state by public men in early days. Captain Clark was born on the Wabash river, near Mount Carmel, Illinois, November 14, 1822. His parents were Benjamin W. Clark, a native of Virginia, and Mary (Beard) Clark. In 1827 his father moved to Rock Island. At that time Black Hawk, Keokuk and their tribes, the Sacs and Foxes, inhabited the country. The Indians were friendly, though treacherous, and had some restless, bold spirits. W. L. and his brother, John P., had many pleasant hours with the young Indians playing ball, running foot races etc., and he became familiar with the language of these tribes and could speak it fluently.
The subject of this sketch remained at Rock Island until December, 1833, when he removed with his father’s family to Black Hawk’s purchase, where they made the first settlement in what is now Buffalo Township. In the spring of 1836 the town of Buffalo was laid out and W. L. took the contract for putting up the first storehouse. He had for a partner in the enterprise S. C. Hastings, who was afterward Judge of the Supreme court of Iowa, and member of congress, and also chief Justice of California. He had also the management of the noted “Clarks ferry,” and now resides on the tract of land which he “claimed” at that time, just west of the village of Buffalo. He attended a school taught by Erastus Basset, which was the first taught in Buffalo township.
He began fighting the battles of life by cutting cord-wood at fifty cents a cord and breaking prairie sod at two dollars an acre, raised and sold winter wheat at from twenty to twenty-two cents a bushel, and in this way accumulated some money..
In 1848 Captain Clark, in company with W. H. Baker, erected a double saw-mill on rock river above the falls, and soon after stocked a lumber yard in Davenport under the firm name of Clark and Hamilton. In 1850 he sold out his interest in the lumber yard and purchased a quarter interest in the steamer “Uncle Toby” and two barges, taking possession and running the boat until 1853. He and Captain Le Roy Dodge then purchased a half interest in a line of packets plying between Keokuk, Rock Island and Davenport, Captain Clark taking command of one steamer and Captain Dodge the other. They were very successful, and in 1856 they purchased the entire line, paying the Keokuk company forty thousand dollars for their interest, adding the “Ben Campbell,” A very fine boat in those days, which was subsequently burned at Buffalo.
In the summer of 1865 they laid out an addition to the city of Buffalo, which still bears their name.
In 1857 Captain Cark removed from Davenport to Buffalo and opened a coal bank to supply the packet line with coal. He lost a large share of his property in 1859, but was left with a comfortable competency for his declining years. He has been a lifelong Democrat, but never sought political honors. He has always been generous to the poor, temperate in his habits and a man honored by all who knew him. He still resides at the old homestead.
BIOGRAPHIES