Newaygo County MI Archives Biographies.....Clark, Henry D. April 18, 1822 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 March 15, 2009, 2:26 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers

HENRY D. CLARK, son of John and Dorcas (Sweet) Clark, was born in Lodi, Seneca 
Co., N.Y., April 18, 1822.  

Huis parents were natives of New York, and moved from Seneca to Wayne County, 
where they lived six years, 

and where the father died; the mother then moved to Ohio, where she is still a 
resident.  Henry D. left 

home when 12 years of age and went to live with John De Mott, who was a 
Brigadier General in the war of 

1812.  He remained with him four years, going to school and doing chores, then 
went to the town of Lyons, 

Wayne County, and worked for his uncle on a farm during the summer season and 
attended school during the 

winter.  He remained with his uncle four years, then went to Seneca Co., Ohio, 
with a cousin, for whom he 

worked two and a half years, clearing land, then went to Wyandot Co., OHio, 
where he married Elmira Dunn, 

a native of Ohio.  They lived here nearly three years, when Mrs. Clark died, 
leaving two children, Orral 

and Olive; the latter died when six months old.  Two years subsequently, Mr. 
Clark married Barbara, 

daughter of Nicholas and Barbara Ish, all natives of Germany.

After his second marriage, Mr. Clark moved to Hillsdale Co., MIch., and 
purchased 80 acres of land, which 

he partly cleared and occupied five years, then sold out and went to Oceana 
County in September, 1855, his 

wife followig him the next December.  In the meantime he had built a good log 
house and had it in 

readiness when his wife came.  The nearest railroad station was at Kalamazoo, 
and Mr. Clark was obliged to 

get his provisions at Newaygo and White Lake.  He built the first house in 
Greenwood Township.  In the 

fall of 1857 he returned to Ohio with his family, and rented a farm for which 
he paid $200 a year.  His 

object in making this change was to obtain better school privileges.  In fact, 
there was hardly a 

school-house in this section of the county at that time.  Mr. Clark remained 
in Ohio eight years, and in 

the fall of 1865 again came to Oceana Co., Mich., and occupied the old log 
house he had built ten years 

previous.  He lived in this house two years, then built a good frame house, 
which he now occupies.  Two 

years afterward he built a fine barn, being at that time the largest barn in 
the State.

Although Mr. and Mrs. Clark have no children of their own, they have reared 
five that were without homes.  

Their names are:  Alice Ish, Milford Hitchne, Mary Nelson, Minnie B. McCormick 
and Wilard Greene.  Minnie 

is their adopted daughter.

Mr. Clark is a Democrat.  He never aspired to county or town offices, but 
takes a deep interest in 

educational matters and in all the reforms of the day.  When he first came to 
this county the nearest 

voting place was 32 miles distant.  He cut ten acres of wood where the town of 
Fremont now stands.  He now 

owns 350 acres all in one body, and has 200 acres improved.  He keeps over 30 
head of Shorthorn cattle, 

nine horses and a herd of sheep, and from 30 to 40 head of swine.

Additional Comments:
1884 Portrait & Bio Album of Newaygo Co.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/newaygo/bios/clark225nbs.txt

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