Obituary: Rock County, Wisconsin: Mary Elizabeth CLARK ************************************************************************ Submitted by Ruth Ann Montgomery, June 2005 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Mary Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Ira and Sarah J. Jones, was born near Cedarville, Ill., August 26, 1838 and died at her home near Evansville, Wis. Dec. 27, 1910. She was a descendant of pioneers, her father's parents having emigrated from Maryland and her mother's from Virginia and Pennsylvania to Ohio near the close of the 18th century. Both of her grandparents and one greatgrandfather fought in the Ohio militia during the war of 1812. Her parents came to Illinois soon after the close of the Black Hawk war. In 1840 she came with them to the farm near Evansville where more than half her life was spent. At that time their's was the only house between Sugar river and the Hiram Griffeth house, which was on what is now the Mrs. Munger farm. Her parents were Methodists and she was a life long member of that church. As a child two years old she was present at the organization of the Evansville M. E. church and was at the dedication of the first church building. She was a pupil the first day of the first term of school taught here by Levi Leonard, and was a student at Evansville seminary the first term of its existence. Her father was one of the founders and a member of the first board of trustees of that institution. Nov. 8, 1857, Mary E. Jones was married at her home to Danford L. Clark by Rev. Elijah Robinson. To them two sons were born, the younger dying in 1863. In 1865 Mr. Clark died, and she entered upon the work of teaching, continuing fourteen years. Besides country schools, she taught in Albany, Monroe, Brodhead and Evansville. After leaving the school room she was a home-maker to the end of her life. Her character needs no comment, being its own best eulogy. These lines are written because her life witnessed so much of interest and importance in the beginnings of our community. Our pioneers have crossed the Great Divide and their children are closely following them. January 5, 1911, Evansville Review, p. 1, col. 5, Evansville, Wisconsin