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- ELIJAH N. CLARK, M.D., of Beloit, Rock County, is both a
- physician and a dentist, and though now at an advanced age
still continues to practice dentistry at intervals. He has had
a varied and eventful life, and has maintained a character and
standing above reproach throughout his many years.
- Dr. CLARK was born at Amherst, Mass., Feb. 10, 1817, a son
of
- Elijah and Sybill (GREEN) CLARK, both natives of that State.
They were the parents of ten children, of whom the two older
daughters died in infancy, and the seventh son, Barnard, died
in his eighteenth year. The others all attained maturity. The
Doctor and his sister, Mary Ann, now widow of Woodhull HELM,
are the only surviving members of this family. The father, who
was a farmer, moved to Marion, Wayne Co., N.Y., where he settled
on a farm, and died at the age of fifty-four.
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- His widow survived a number of years, and in 1845 came to
Beloit with her son Rufus, making that city her home as long
as she lived. She and her husband were Congregationalists, and
he was a deacon in the church. Simeon CLARK, the father of Elijah,
was born at Amherst, and there spent his entire life, reaching
the age of eighty years. He was of English descent, and followed
the trade of a millwright. Joel GREEN, the father of Sybill,
referred to above, lived at Amherst, and was a farmer. He was
of English descent.
- Dr. Elijah N. CLARK lived in his native town until he was
twelve years old, and began his studies
- in the common school. At the age of sixteen he was a teacher
at Marion, Wayne Co., N.Y., and was engaged in that vocation
four years. When he was twenty he began the study of medicine
with Dr. Asahel CLARK, his eldest brother, as his preceptor.
He was graduated from Geneva College in 1841, and was a practicing
physician at Phelps, Ontario Co., N.Y., for five years. In 1847
he made his first appearance in the city of Beloit, remaining
there until 1852, when he was carried away by the flood of gold
seekers and made his way to California, where he spent about
three years. At the expiration of that period he returned to
Beloit, and that city has since been his home. He practiced medicine
and dentistry in California. He was a charter member of the Wisconsin
State Dental Society.
- Dr. CLARK and Miss Sarah A. SUTTON, daughter of Robert B.
SUTTON, of Lyons, N.Y.,
- were married in 1842. They became the parents of five children.
Delaphine, Emma, Hattie, Mattie, and Robert B. Delaphine married
Nelson CHAMBERLAIN, and became the mother of two children, Grace
and Hattie, both of whom are engaged in teaching; Mrs. CHAMBERLAIN
is now deceased. Emma married George F. ACKLEY, and is the mother
of three children, Blaine, Bert, and Willard. Hattie married
Oliver P. SMITH, and they have two children, Sadie and Roy. Mattie
is the widow of Fred MESSER; they had one child, Marion. Robert
lives in Chippewa Falls, Wis.; he married Harriet J. WILLIAMS.
- Mrs. Sarah A. CLARK died in 1876, in Beloit. She as a member
of the Presbyterian Church.
- Dr. CLARK married for his second wife Mrs. Carrie E. CONANT,
of Beloit. They went to Evanston, Ill., where they had a wedding
supper at the home of George E. REDFIELD; Mrs. CLARK was seized
with a spasm of coughing, which could not be checked, and she
died before midnight, June 19, 1882. In 1887 Dr. CLARK married
Miss Emily Caroline ROWE. They belong to the First Presbyterian
Church, in which he has filled the position of elder for fifty
years. He was one of the charter members, and is the only one
of the first official board of the church now living. The Doctor
is a Mason, member of the Odd Fellows and Sons of Temperance,
and has been associated with these various orders for many years.
On account of his age he does not now meet with them except in
sprit. He is a Republican, and in early life was a Whig. Dr.
CLARK owns a fine farm adjoining Beloit on the southeast, but
situated in Illinois. In contains 175 acres of land, and is very
valuable.
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-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin"
(c) 1901, pp. 104-105; lithograph from same book.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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