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Notes for JOHN CLARK : Biographical Record from "Portraits and Biographical Record of the Governors of Illinois and the Residents of U.S." Published September 1892

       John Clark, who follows general farming on section 34, Cherry Valley Township, Winnebago County, first opened his eyes to the light of day in Scotland, in 1828. His is one of a family of eight sons and three daughters, the parents being Samuel and Margaret (Templeton) Clark. His father followed farming upon rented land and died in Scotland at the age of seventy-eight years, his wife passing away at the age of sixty-five years.

       Upon the parental roof our subject was reared to manhood, no event of special importance occurring during his childhood days. He came to this country in August, 1851, when twenty-three years of age, and in the vicinity of Cincinnati, Ohio, followed the occupation of farming upon rented land for some twenty years. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey, he chose Miss Catherine Allison, a native of Scotland, and a daughter of James and Janet (Greenlees) Allison. Their union was celebrated in August, 1855, and has been blessed with a family of ten children;  two sons and eight daughters; James; Margaret, wife of Issac Turrell, Principal of one of the schools of Cincinnati, Ohio; Samuel; Jessie, wife of Hugh McEvoy, of Dallas, Tex; Catherine, who is engaged in teaching in Dallas; Flora, wife of Abram Davis, a farmer; Agnes, Mary, Mattie, and Ella. The family circle still remains unbroken, although some have left the parental roof, and there are also sixteen grandchildren. Of the two sons, one is a farmer in McPherson County, Kan., and the other is engaged in the real-estate business in Canton, Kan.

       It was in the autumn of 1871 that Mr. Clark removed with his family to Illinois, coming through Chicago at the time the great fire was raging in that city. He settled in Winnebago County, purchasing a farm of one hundred and twenty acres at $24 per acre, and to this he has since added until now two hundred acres of valuable land pay tribute to his care and cultivation. He has laid eight hundred rods of tiling upon the place, has erected a good residence and large barns and is recognized as one of the successful agriculturists of this county. He deserves all the more credit in that his prosperity is due entirely to his own efforts. In politics, he is a Democrat, and himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. During the twenty years of their residence in this county they have made many friends and are well and favorably known in this community.

bituary from the Rockford Register, Aug. 18,1905:

       John Clark, who for 30 years operated a farm in Cherry Valley township, passed away this morning. shortly after 5 o'clock at his home, 1023 Crosby street, after an illness of only a day.

       Mr. Clark was apparently in his usual health Thursday and was able to be about. During the night he was seized with a hemorrhage, death ensuing in only a few hours. Mr Clark had been ailing for some time but his condition had never been regarded as dangerous.

      He was a native of Scotland, being born in August  1828. In 1851 he came to this country, settling in the vicinity of Cincinnati, Ohio where he followed the occupation of farming for twenty years.  In 1870 he removed to this county, settling in the Cherry Valley Township where he lived until six years ago, when he removed to Rockford to live a retired life.

        In 1852 Mr Clark was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Allison, who survives. Mr. & Mrs Clark celebrated their golden wedding  anniversary in 1902. Ten children were born to Mr. & Mrs Clark and the family circle remains intact. The children are, James Clark of Roxbury, Kas; Mrs I.H. Turrell of Cincinnati, O; Samuel Clark of Winfield, Kas; Mrs Hugh McEvoy and Miss Catherine A. Clark of Dallas, Tex; Mrs Abram Davis of Cherryvale, Kas; Mrs Agnes Bishop of Canton,Kas; and the Misses Mary, Mattie and Ella Clark, residing at home. He also leaves two sisters and two brothers; Peter Clark of this city, Alexander Clark of Australia, Mrs Ann Blair of this city and Mrs Margaret McNaugheton of Ayre, Scotland.

        Mr. Clark was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was esteemed for his honesty and integrity. During the 35 years of his residence in this country he made many friends who will be pained to hear of his death. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home on Crosby street.

Webb Clark, while in Scotland,  checked with some distant cousins and verified that the chart showing the Peter Clark-Florence Wilson families are correct. Webb states that he was unable to find every one listed in the research that he did. In the Samuel Clark-Margaret Templeton family, he was shown records by cousins that convinced him they were right. He was unable to verify Peter and Margaret but in the John Clark Obituary it mentions them.

More About JOHN CLARK

Fact 1: January 22, 1996, Clark Family in Scotland  (Peter Clark-Samuel¹

Immigration: August 1851¹

Notes for CATHERINE ALLISON Obituary:

       Mrs. Catherine Allison Clark, widow of John Clark, passed away Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock at her home, 1023  Crosby street, after a long illness. She had been a sufferer from rheumatism for 12 years.

       Mrs. Clark was a native of Scotland, born at Bishopton, Renfrewshire, more than seventy years ago. She came from Scotland in 1853 to marry Mr. Clark. Their early married life was spent in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Clark came to this country in 1871. They settled in Cherry Valley and seven years ago came to Rockford to make their home. Mr. Clark passed away a year ago.

       Ten children survive, James and Samuel Clark, Mrs. Agnes Bishop and Mrs. Flora Davis of Kansas; Mrs. Jessie C. McEvoy and Miss Kate Clark of Dallas, Texas; Mrs. Margaret Turrell of Cincinnati, O, and the Misses Mary, Mattie and Ella Clark of Rockford.

       Mrs. Clark was a highly esteemed woman and her death will bring sadness to many. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian church. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the home.