BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 626-627.

WILLIAM J. CLARK

William J. Clark, of Richland township, is a son of Alexander and Eleanor
(Downs) Clark, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1801, and settled
in Lancaster county, Penn. They started with three children, two of whom
died during their thirteen weeks' voyage to this country. In Pennsylvania,
ten children were born to them. One of these children, Alexander D. Clark,
who received his first schooling in a pioneer log cabin, and rose to be a
doctor of divinity, was graduated at New Athens, with the first honors, in
a class of twelve, which included Rev. David Craig, A. M., Edgar Cowan,
LL. D., Rev. Wi1liam Davidson, D. D., and Samuel Armer, M. D., LL. D., and
among his fel1ow students were Joseph Ray, M. D., Hon. William Kennon, Sr.,
Hon. William Wilson Shannon, Hon. John A. Blngham, A. F. Ross, LL. D.,
William Lawrence, LL. D., and Rev. George C. Vincent, D. D. William J.
Clark was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, and brought by his parents to the
farm on which he now lives when six years o1d, and was there reared, and
pursued his early studies seated on the puncheon seats of the log school
house. But his main education has like his material property been gathered
by industrious application through all the years that have followed. He is
one of the substantial and valued citizens of his township. During eight
years he has served as school director of his district. When the county
seat fight was on he lent all his aid and influence to the cause of St.
Clairsville. In 1859 Mr. Clark was married to Elizabeth King, a native
of Belmont county, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Blackburn) King, and
by this union has had six children, five of whom are living: Thomas A.,
Samuel U., John H., Carrie J. and. Lizzie E. Mr. Clark and wife are
members of the United Presbyterian church.