Biographical Sketch of John J. Clark, Pulaski County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas,
 Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, Published 1889, Goodspeed
 Publishing Company.

Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com)

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John J. Clark, treasurer of Pulaski County, MO., and dealer in 
general merchandise at Waynesville, was born in Camden County, MO.,
in 1842, and is the son of Benjamin Clark, who was born in the 
"Old North Carolina State" in 1819.  About 1833 the latter went to
Middle Tennessee with his father, Zachariah Clark, and two years
later immigrated to Missouri, locating in Pulaski County, twelve
miles west of the county seat.  Here Zachariah puchased land, and
began making him a home in the dense forest.  He died in Camden
County, MO., at his son Benjamin's home.  About 1841 the latter 
settled in Erie, Camden County, and about three years later bought
a farm in the southeast part of the county.  In 1858 he returned to
Pulaski County, and purchased a farm near Richland, where he resided
until December 7, 1888, when he died.  He served as assessor of
Camden County for about twelve years, and in 1856 was elected sheriff
and collector of the county, serving one term.  His wife was born in
Tennessee, and died in 1869, having become the mother of nine children.
John J. is the eldest of the family, and was reared on a farm, making
his home with his parents until 1868.  He received a good common 
school education, and at the age of twenty engaged in pedagoguing, 
which occupation he continued four terms.  On July 15, 1861, he en-
listed in Company F, First Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry,
Confederate States Army, and served six months.  He was in the battles
of Wilson's Creek, Lexington and Horse Creek, and then returned home,
but January 26, 1863, enlisted as a teamster in the Government employ,
hauling supplies from Rolla to Lebanon, MO.  On August 24, 1864, he
joined Company C, Forty-eighth Regiment Missouri Infantry, United
States Army, and was mustered out on the 29th of June, 1865.  After 
the war he engaged in farming and teaching school, and was also en-
gaged in selling goods for several years.  On October 18, 1868, he
wedded Miss Matilda L. Riddle, a daughter of Isaac and Martha (Rapp)
Riddle, of Pulaski County, MO.  Mrs. Clark was born in the county in
1848.  In 1878 Mr. Clark was elected county and circuit clerk of
Pulaski County, and in 1882 was elected circuit clerk and ex-officio
recorder, which position he held for years.  In July, 1887 he commenced
merchandising in Waynesville, his partner being J. M. Long, but in
September the building and contents were consumed by fire, at a loss
of $600.  Mr. Clark re-engaged in the business in October of the same
year, and has a remunerative and increaseing trade.  In November, 1888
he was elected treasurer of the county, and is now filling the duties
of that office.  He is a Democrat in politics, and his wife is a mem-
ber of the Christian Church.

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