Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: December 11, 1864

This morning we cross the Ogeechee, and do not advance far until skirmishing commences; Company K is deployed forward, and Company H barricades the road with rails. Soon the Thirty-ninth Iowa comes up and the entire Seventh is deployed forward; advancing a short distance we discover a rebel fort and camp swarming with rebels, who seeing our flag appear from the margin of the woods on to an open field, open their artillery upon us. Upon the field we find ourselves. much exposed, and being unable to advance in consequence of the extensive rice swamps in front of us, we change position by the left flank under a heavy fire, cross the road and take our position behind an embankment thrown up from a ditch, where we remain until night comes on, and then return to the woods and go into camp.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 283

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: August 15, 1864

To-day Colonel Rowett assumes command of the Third Brigade, consisting of the Seventh, Fiftieth and Fifty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, with head-quarters in Rome.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 245

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: July 8, 1863

Last night about four hundred of Roddy's command ventured to the government corral, two miles from Corinth, capturing a company of the Thirty-ninth Iowa, and drove off about six hundred mules. Cornyn, with his cavalry, is now in hot pursuit. In the evening the Seventh's bugle blows, and we are soon in the saddle. We travel nearly all night on the road leading towards Iuka. The boys become very sleepy, and it is with difficulty that they remain on their mules.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 177-8

Co. D, 39th Iowa Volunteers.

This Co. left this place on Wednesday Sept. 23d for quarters at Des Moines, and with them went the prayers and well wishes of many a sad heart.  We are personally acquainted with the officers and most of the privates that belong to this company, and it is not enough to say of them that they will render a good account of themselves hereafter. The officers are gentleman, have souls, and are proud of their men.  The privates, so far as we are acquainted with them, are high minded patriots, moral and many of them pious.

The resolution passed by the company since they left us [which may be seen in Mr. Starback’s letter in another column] will be a source of satisfaction to their many relations and friends at home, as well as the assurance which I received while paying them a hasty visit on Tuesday last, that the privates all love their officers.  This is as it should be and as we hope it will continue to be.  We can have no better evidence than this that they will succeed in whatever they undertake.  God be with them, is the prayer of every human heart.

Below are the names of the officers as furnished me when they left.  Mr. Oldham (formerly Editor of the “Courier,”) is now Sergt. Major.

I have not learned who takes his place as 2d Sergt but I think it is David Johnson, who was next below him in office.

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain	L. D. BENNETT.
1st Lieutenant,	Wm. T. MATTHEWS.
2nd Lieutenant,	C. CARTER.
NON COMMISSIONEND OFFICERS.
1st Sergeant,	G. PIKE.
[torn] Sergeant,	T. R. OLDHAM.
[torn]	DAVID JOHNSON.
[torn]	J. L. MILLARD.
[torn]	ABLE CHANCE.
[torn]	THOMAS TRENT.
[torn]	[J]AMES DENNEY.
[torn]	[torn]T HAMILTON.
[torn]	[torn]N HARPER.
[torn]	[torn] [G]ARDNER.
[torn]	[torn] [B]LACK.

[The bottom of this article is diagonally torn from the upper left to the lower right. The rest of the article is missing.]

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, September 14, 1864

The troops that went from here after General Wheeler into eastern Tennessee about a month ago, returned this morning, coming in on the train. They did not succeed in capturing Wheeler, but they had several skirmishes with him, in one of which it is reported that the notorious General Morgan was killed.¹ The expedition, made up of the Thirty-ninth Iowa and the Thirty-third Ilinois, experienced some hard marching. Dr. French, in charge of the hospital here and head physician of the sick wards, left today for Atlanta.

_______________

¹ This was another false report.—Ed.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 215

Co. D, 39th Iowa Volunteers

This Co. left this place on Wednesday Sept. 23d for quarters at Des Moines, and with them went the prayers and well wishes of many a sad heart.  We are personally acquainted with the officers and most of the privates that belong to this company, and it is not enough to say of them that they will render a good account of themselves hereafter.  The officers are gentlemen, have souls, and are proud of their men.  The privates, so far as we are acquainted with them, are high minded patriots, moral, and many of them pious.

The resolution passed by the company since they left us (which may be seen in Mr. Starbuck’s letter in another column) will be a source of satisfaction to their many relations and friends at home, as well as the assurance which I received while paying them a hasty visit on Tuesday last, that the privates all love their officers.  This is as it should be, and as we hope it will continue to be.  We can have no better evidence than this that they will succeed in whatever they undertake.  God be with them, is the prayer of every human heart.

Below are the names of the officers as furnished me with then left.  Mr. Oldham (Formerly Editor of the “Courier,”) is now Sergt. Major.

I have not learned who takes his place as 2d Sergt. But think it is David Johnson, who was next below him in office.

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS:

Captain,	L. D. Bennett
1st Lieutenant,	Wm. T. Mathews
2nd Lieutenant,	C. Carter

NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS:

1st Sergeant,	G. L. Pike
2d Sergeant,	T. R. Oldham
[3d Sergeant]	david johnson
[4th Sergeant]	j. l. millard
[5th Sergeant]	able chaCe
[6th Sergeant]	thomas trent
[1stCorporal]	[j]ames denny
[2d Corporal]	[ROBER]t Hamilton
[3d Corporal]	[REUBE]n harper
[4th Corporal]	[LEVI ga]rdner
[5th Corporal]	[cHARLES b]lack

_______________

[Editors Note: This page of the Union Sentinel was torn from the middle of the left side diagonally to the lower right side.  Therefore items appearing within brackets have been reconstructed using the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database along with the Roster And Records Of Iowa Soldiers In The War Of The Rebellion, Volume 4.  There are some minor inconsistencies between this article, the Soldiers and Sailors Data Base and the Roster.  What appears above is as I believe what appeared in The Union Sentinel.  The Roster lists Levi Gardner as the 3rd Corporal, Charles Black the 4th Corporal and Reuben Harper the 5th Corporal.  I have numbered them in the order they were given as logically they would not have been listed in a random fashion.]

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2

1st Lieutenant William T. Mathews, Co. D, 39th Iowa Infantry

SOURCE: This item was up for auction on Ebay on August 22, 2014.

George W. Vaught

GEORGE W. VAUGHT, an old pioneer who has been identified with the growth and advancement of Clarke County for over thirty years, is a native of Clark County, Indiana, born December 12, 1828. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Giltner) Vaught, were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively, and to them were born fourteen children, of whom our subject was the second child. He passed his early life in working on the home farm, his education being limited to the log school-houses of those early days. For several years he was engaged in flat-boating on the Ohio river, freighting wood and hay to the Louisville market.  At the age of twenty-one years he came to the then Territory of Iowa, locating in Jefferson County, and a short time later removed to Appanoose County, where he resided until 1854. He then came to Clarke County, Iowa, and located on Government land in Green Bay Township.  August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company D., Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and at the battle of Parker’s Cross-Roads he was shot through the left arm at the elbow.  He was then confined in the hospital six months, and from the hospital was sent to Memphis, Tennessee, but being unfit for active duty in the field on account of his wound, he was placed on duty in the Provost Marshal’s guard, where he served till his discharge, August 11, 1865, just three years from the date of his enlistment.  He then returned to his home in Clarke County, remaining there till he removed to his present farm in 1879. His farm is located on section 30, Green Bay Township, and contains eighty-five acres of choice land under a high state of cultivation, with comfortable house and farm buildings for stock, a fine orchard, etc. He is still engaged in general farming and stock-raising, in which vocation he has met with success.  Mr. Vaught was married at the age of twenty-two years to Miss Melissa S. Sherlow, of Appanoose County, Iowa. They have seven children living – Sophrona, Leonidas, Savilla, Dora, Ellsworth, Libbie and Isabelle. In politics Mr. Vaught is a Republican. He is in religious faith a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. During his long residence here he has taken a deep interest in everything connected with the welfare of the township, and has become widely known and universally respected throughout the county.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 316-7

William Green Otis

WILLIAM GREEN OTIS, one of the oldest pioneers of Knox Township, was born in Washington County, Ohio, October 28, 1829, a son of James and Ellice (Bainter) Otis, the father a native of Vermont, who served in the war of 1812, and the mother born in Zanesville, Ohio. Her father was a wheelwright by trade, and was the first mechanic who settled in Zanesville. He was of German descent. James Otis was a son of Barnabas Otis, a descendant of the Puritans who came to America in the Mayflower, he being a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. James Otis were the parents of six children – Lydia M., James H., William G., Henry Clay, John B., and one who died in infancy.  William G. was nine years of age when his parents removed to Marion County, where he was reared. His early life was spent in helping with the farm work, and in attending the subscription schools of his neighborhood.  In 1848 he came to Iowa, and in the spring of 1849 he started on a trip through the State. He then returned to Ohio, and in September, 1850, came again to Iowa with a two-horse team, when he entered land from the Government on section 8, Knox township, where he has since resided.  During the late war he enlisted in the defense of his county, August 22, 1862, in Company K, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and participated in several skirmishes and engagements.  Prior to this he had joined the Iowa State Militia, and had marched through St. Joe, Missouri, where he was on guard duty for sometime. He received an honorable discharge at Washington City, June 5, 1865, when he returned to his home in Knox Township, where he has since followed agricultural pursuits.  Mr. Otis was united in marriage February 25, 1872, to Miss E. M. Morgan. Six children have been born to this union – Mary Estella, Elinor Morgan, Martha Ellen and three who died in infancy. Mr. Otis was elected justice of the peace in 1884, and served justice in an impartial manner to all who called before his jurisdiction, filling the office with credit for himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Greenback party. He is a comrade of Knox Post, G.A.R. He has a snug farm of fifty-six acres, his land being under fine cultivation. His residence and farm buildings are comfortable and commodious, and he has one of the best spring houses in the county.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 244

Chillion W. Neal

CHILION W. NEAL, a resident of section 20, of Jackson Township, came to Clarke County in 1857 with his parents, James B. and Anna (Adamson) Neal. He was then but fifteen years of age, having been born October 10, 1841, in Grant County, Indiana, next to the eldest in a family of nine children, all of whom were with their parents on their emigration to this county. The names of the others are – Mahlon W., now a resident of Osborn county; Sarah, died March 29, 1869, aged twenty-four years; John A., died January 29, 1860, aged fifteen years; Mary N., wife of Jeremiah Brisbin, of Franklin County, Nebraska; Elvira C., died June 29, 1868, aged eighteen years; Joseph A., died July 7, 1877, aged twenty-six years; Margaret Jane, wife of H. H. Lowery, died March 19, 1879, aged twenty-five years; Eri R., a resident of Jewell County, Kansas.  Mr. Neal’s parents made a home on section 36, Jackson township and improved eighty acres of land. Here they passed the remainder of their lives. The mother belonged to the Seventh-day Adventists, and died October 22, 1869, aged fifty years. The father was a member of the Christian church, and died April 4, 1871, aged fifty-five years.  August 15, 1862, the subject of this sketch enlisted in Company D, Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry; was first engaged at Parker’s Cross-Roads, in Tennessee, December, 1862; was under the lamented General McPherson at Atlanta; followed Sherman in his march to the sea, and was in the lines of the review of Sherman’s Grand Army at the National Capitol. He was honorably discharged at Washington in June, 1865.  June 9, 1867, Mr. Neal was married to Miss Mary A. Lewis, daughter of John Lewis, the first settler of Jackson Township. She was born in Monroe County, Iowa, February 27, 1851, and was six weeks old when her parents moved to this county. Mr. and Mrs. Neal settled on section 20 April 16, 1869. Their homestead consists of 160 acres of land, all improved. They have had six children. Their first born died in infancy. The others are – Lizzie L., Rose A., J. Lewis, Agnes G. and Mary M. Mr. and Mrs. Neal are Seventh-day Adventists. Mr. Neal has been identified with the Greenback party.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 425

William T. Mathews

W. T. MATHEWS, one of the enterprising and successful pioneers of Clarke County, living in Green Bay Township, on section 24, was born in Murray County, Tennessee, July 18, 1827. His parents, Charneall and Sarah (Shinall) Mathews, were both natives of Virginia. Eight children were born to them, as follows – Mary Ann, W. T. (our subject), Elizabeth, Jackson, Elisha F., George, Charles and John Felix. The parents removed to Washington County, Illinois, when our subject was an infant, and there he was reared, his youth being passed in assisting on the farm and in attending the common schools.  In July, 1847, he enlisted in the Mexican war, in Company H, Second Illinois Infantry, and after serving one year was honorably discharged. He was married December 13,1849, to Catherine Logan, of Washington County, Illinois, and to this union were born seven children – Martha R., Hiram W., Harriet E., Lewis E., C. C., George M., And Frankie B.  Mr. Mathews came to Iowa in 1851, locating in Poweshiek County, Where he remained about four years. In 1855 he came with his family to Clarke County, buying 180 acres of land, on which he resided three years. He then exchanged his land for mill property on section 24, Green Bay Township, where he operated a mill for four years. Mr. Mathews enlisted in the late war August 13, 1862, in Company D, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry; and participated in the engagements at Parker’s Cross-Roads, Snake Creek Gap,. Little Ogeechee River, Columbia, Bentonville, near Goldsborough, besides a number of skirmishes. During the war he was appointed First Lieutenant, and served as such till his discharge at Clinton, Iowa, June 5, 1865. He then returned to Clarke County and settled on his present farm, where his wife died October 8, 1869.  He was again united in marriage June 23, 1874, to Mrs. Catherine (Rainy) Meachum, and of the two children born to this union only one is living – a daughter, Minnie L.  Molly is deceased. Mr. Mathews has met with success in his general farming and stock-raising, and is now the owner of his fine farm which contains 230 acres of highly cultivated land, with good residence, well furnished and commodious, barn and out-buildings. Mr. Mathews was elected county supervisor in 1876, and served three years to the best interests of Clarke County. He has also filled the offices of clerk and trustee of Green Bay Township and has been a member of the School Board. He is a member of Jacinth Lodge No. 443, A.F. & A.M. of Weldon. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being class-leader and trustee of the same. In politics he is a staunch Republican.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 326

John Kerr

JOHN KERR, son of Arthur and Hannah (Bellers) Kerr, is a native of Carroll County, Ohio, born May 11, 1836. In 1853 he accompanied his parents to Clarke County, Iowa. His father took up a claim in Knox Township, but soon exchanged it and entered 200 acres of land in Liberty township, and eighty acres in Warren County. The father died October 19, 1882, and the mother now makes her home with her son John. Their family consisted of nine children – James, John, Margaret, Mathias, Isabel, Isaac, William, Ellen and Marion.  In August, 1862, our subject enlisted in Company D, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and served his country three years, participating in numerous skirmishes, but no important battle. He was for some time wagon-master of the Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, Captain Benjamin being Quartermaster.  After the war he returned home, and has since engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of 525 acres of finely improved land, all under cultivation, his residence being on section 27, Fremont Township. He is one of the representative citizens of the county, and a self-made man, accumulating his property by his own exertions. He hauled the first run of burrs that ever was brought to Clarke County, with a team of oxen, and assisted in building the first sawmill in the county, located in Osceola. Mr. Kerr has taken an active interest in the local affairs of his township, and has served fourteen consecutive years as trustee. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Osceola Lodge, No. 32. In politics he is a Republican.  He was married October 17, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth Glenn, and to them were born eight children –Thomas A., Dora B., Cora D., Lon C., Marion P. Abe C., Annie H. and John H. Thomas married Miss Ida Rackley, and Dora is the wife of Lafayette Harlan. Mrs. Kerr died December 24, 1879.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 240-1

Charles Hodges

CHARLES HODGES, one of the old pioneers of Clarke County, living in Green Bay Township, on section 28, is a native of Wyoming County, New York, where he was born April 19, 1821. His parents, William and Abigail (Howard) Hodges, were natives of Taunton, Massachusetts, and Vermont, respectively. They had a family of eight children – Simeon, John, Sally, Julia, William, Charles, Albert and Mary. Our subject was reared on the home farm and educated in the common schools of his native State.  He was married July 30, 1854, to Lydia Jane Williams, who was born and reared in Wyoming County, New York. In the fall of the same year he came to Iowa, and entered land from the Government, where he now lives in Green Bay Township, Clarke County. He then built the frame house which he still occupies, and commenced to make a permanent home for himself and family. He has been very successful in his farming and stock-raising, and is now the owner of 400 acres of choice land, which is well adapted to the raising of grain and grass.  During the late war Mr. Hodges enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Infantry, the date of enlistment being August 9, 1862. He was on detached duty the greater part of the time. He was discharged at Clinton, Iowa, June 5, 1865, when he returned to his farm in Green Bay Township.  Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hodges, only two survive – Fanny Minerva and John. Mr. Hodges has held the office of township treasurer for several years, and has been a member of the School Board. Although he started in life without means he has been successful in all his undertakings, owing to his persevering industry and good management, and has a competence for his declining years. He has one of the best barns in Clarke County, erected in 1875, at a cost of $2,400, its size being 40 x 60 feet, with twenty-foot posts, with a stone basement, seven feet in height.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 344

Wesley Gregg

WESLEY GREGG, one of the oldest residents of Clarke County, was born in Peoria County, Illinois, the date of his birth being April 1, 1843. His father, Thomas Gregg, brought his family to Iowa in 1844, living in Lee County till the fall of 1851, when he removed his family to Clarke County, and settled in Doyle Township among the Indians and wild animals, and in his youth our subject often visited the Indian camps. Our subject was reared on the old homestead, his education being limited to the pioneer subscription schools held in log cabins with puncheon floors, clapboard roofs, slab seats, huge fireplaces, and stick-and-mud chimneys. During the late war he enlisted in the defense of the Union, in Company D, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, serving only eight months. He was disabled while in the service, on account of which he was discharged, and now draws a pension.  He was married September 28, 1869, to Ada O. Brown, a daughter of Chester Brown who is deceased. They have four children living – Anna O., Frances E., Thomas K. and Cyrus S. Four of their children are deceased.  Mr. Gregg followed farming till the fall of 1884, when he came to Hopeville, where he has since made his home. Mr. Gregg has served as justice of the peace about five years, beside holding other offices of trust and responsibility. He was elected assessor but declined to serve. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife and daughter, Anna O., are members of the United Brethren church.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 246

Esau A. Erb

ESAU A. ERB, residing on section 21, Franklin township, was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 4, 1841. His father, Christopher Erb, now lives in Wabash County, Indiana. His mother, Elizabeth (Buckingham) Erb, died when Esau was but thirteen days old. He was adopted by his maternal grandparents, Esau and Eliza Buckingham, then residents of Richland County.  In 1850 they became settlers of Iowa, and in 1851 pioneers of Green Bay Township, Clarke County. Shortly afterward they settled on section 16, Franklin township, where they passed the greater part of their lives. The grandfather died at the age of eighty years; his widow surviving him four years. They reared a large family – James W., who lives in Franklin Township; Joshua, a resident of Green Bay Township; Eliza Jane, McAllister, in Washington Township; Mrs. Alice Holmes, Great Bend, Kansas; Mrs. Mary Gafford, Dakota; Mrs. Sarah Harwood, Red Oak, Iowa; Elizabeth, deceased, mother of Esau; Wilson; Mrs. Urith Taylor and Mrs. Margaret E. Boserman. Mr. Erb, the subject of this sketch, was given a good education. He learned the saddle and harness trade in Osceola.  August 4, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, served under General Steele, and in February, 1863, was discharged for disability. Regaining his health, he again enlisted in 1864, in Company B, Forty-sixth Regiment, and served until the close of the war.  April 4,1870, he was married to Mrs. Martha Lavalle, widow of Newton Posten, and daughter of Henry Lavalle. She was born March 22, 1845. Her first husband was a member of the Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteers, and died in the Atlanta campaign, leaving two children – Etta, wife of Enoch Luger, and Anna, now deceased.  After marriage Mr. Erb lived a short time in Union Township, Lucas County, then moved to his present home. He owns the homestead of his grandparents, forty acres on section 16. In all, his property contains 180 acres of land, with a fine residence. Their children are Nellie, Phebe, Mary E., Edna, Louis, Otis, William, Josephine, deceased. Mr. Erb is a member of the Masonic fraternity; affiliates with Unity Lodge No. 212, at Woodburn, and Davenport Post, No. 385, G.A.R. In politics he is a Republican.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 405

James A. Clark

JAMES A. CLARK, of Woodburn village, is a dealer in groceries, meats, fish and operates a restaurant. He commenced business in this place in 1875, and has continued it ever since.  He was born in Miami County, Ohio, August 14, 1844, and is a son of T. W. and Mary (Clark) Clark, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. When James was a small boy the family removed to Grant County, Indiana, and afterward to Wabash County, Indiana, where they resided until 1856, when they came to Iowa and settled in Linn County, where the father engaged in farming. In 1859 they removed to Harrison County, Missouri, and made that their home until the breaking out of the civil war.  Here the mother died and the family returned to Iowa, locating in Clarke County, where they have since resided. James enlisted in February, 1863, in Company K, Thirty-ninth Regiment, Iowa Infantry, commanded by Colonel Cummings, and participated with them in the sanguinary battles of Parker’s Cross-Roads, Snake Creek Gape, Sugar Creek, Resaca and Allatoona Pass. At the latter place Mr. Clark was wounded and taken prisoner by the Confederates under General Hood. He was taken to Selma, Alabama, and from there transferred to Cahaba, thence to Montgomery, and afterward to Macon, and finally to Andersonville prison pen. In that horrible pit of desolation the wounded soldier remained from December 25, until the middle of April following, without medical attendance or any of the care that common humanity should dictate. He was then taken out and sent South, but returned and taken to Florida, and finally released. The guards were withdrawn and the prisoners told to take care of themselves. That same evening Mr. Clark reached our lines at Jacksonville, where he remained a week or two, then obtained a passport on a steamer and went to Annapolis, Maryland, thence to St. Louis, and from there to Davenport and was discharged July 3, 1865, at the latter place. He was suffering severely from his wounds, which had been so long neglected that they were in a worse condition than ever before. For many months he carried his hand in a sling. He came home and tried to heal his wound and to regain his health.  January 3, 1869, Mr. Clark and Miss Eliza Wiant were united in marriage. She was a resident of Clarke County and a daughter of Isaac and Eliza (Woolman) Wiant, natives of Pennsylvania, who came from Indiana to Iowa at an early day, settling at Chariton, Lucas County, and later came to Clarke County. Upon his return home Mr. Clark went to farming; but after his marriage he removed to York County, Nebraska, and took up a homestead claim. He remained there three years, and having lost two crops by grasshoppers, and becoming discouraged generally he returned to Clarke County, where he farmed one year, then opened up his present business, having sold his homestead. He has continued here ever since and his built up a good trade.  Mr. and Mrs. Clark have four children – Cora M., Margery V., Hattie W. and Luena. Mr. Clark is a member of Davenport Post, No. 385, G. A. R., having filled some of the offices; is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been president of the School Board.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 390-1