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			JOEL W. AND MARIA L. (SMITH) CLARK

	Joel W. Clark was born in Allegheny Co., N. Y., Feb. 27, 1819.  In his father's family 
there were twelve children, only three of whom are now living.  Mr. Clark came to Montcalm County
in 1854, with sufficient means to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining the city
of Greenville on the north.  There was some improvement upon this land when he took it, and it 
was not difficult for him to make himself a comfortable home.  He was married, Feb. 27, 1862, to 
Maria L. Smith, daughter of Jonathan C. Smith, from Utica, N. Y., where she was born Sept. 3, 
1834.  Soon after Mr. Clark was married he moved upon his farm, which under his careful 
management soon became  a comfortable and pleasant home.  Here he passed the remainder of his 
days.  He was a retiring, unpretentious man, one esteemed for his upright character and fair 
dealing.  He died Jan 17, 1879, leaving a widow, who carries on his farm, and one son, Floraine 
C., who was born Nov. 9, 1868, having buried a daughter in the fourth year of her age and a son 
in infancy.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881.  Pages 401-402, Eureka.