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John C. Clark

John C. Clark, of the firm of Reed & Clark, proprietors of a livery, feed and sale stable of Fayette, Iowa, was born in Marion, Allegheny County, N. Y., May 29, 1846, and is a son of John W. and Mary (Barnes) Clark. He lost his mother in childhood and with his father removed to Ogle County, Ill. There he received a common-school education and in December, 1863, though quite young, enlisted as a member of Company M, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry. He served in the Western Department under Gen. Pleasanton until December, 1865, or until several months after the close of the war. On his discharge from the army Mr. Clark came to Fayette, Iowa, and with the history of this county has been prominently identified for many years.

In Fayette, on the 13th of September, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Keasey, who was born in Ohio October 23, 1845. They became the parents of seven children, of whom five are yet living: George W., born June 15, 1867; Charles H. H., February 5, 1870; Sarah Hattie, born September 20, 1874, died at the age of eighteen months; Frank E., born January 15, 1876; John W., August 20, 1878; Harry, born June 12, 1887, and died June 24, 1887; Armittie Grace was born July 31, 1889.

On coming to Iowa Mr. Clark embarked in farming in Harlan Township, where he continued to reside until 1872, when he sold out and came to Howard Township, Howard County, Iowa. There he also devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, remaining in that county until the fall of 1878, when he returned to Fayette County. The following spring he purchased a farm in Harlan Township, where he made his home until December, 1889, when he sold out and came to Fayette where he has since resided. On the 11th of March, following, he formed the existing partnership with Granville Reed, and they do a good business in that line. Socially he is a member of Warner Post, No. 46, G. A. R., and in politics is a supporter of Republican principles. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Clark's father is still a resident of Fayette County and is now living in Maynard. His wife, who was a native of England, died in 1851 in New York State.