Ruben Matthew Clark (1832 - 1923)

Born 26 Nov 1832 in Brockville, Leeds and Grenville County, Upper Canada

Ancestors

Husband of Althear Clark — married 12 Jun 1860 in Lena, Stephenson Co, Illinois, USA

Descendants

Died 19 Oct 1923 at age 90 in Republic, Republic County, Kansas, USA

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Biography

Ruben Clark served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: August 9, 1862
Mustered out: July 5, 1865
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 92 Regiment of the Illinois Infantry Volunteers, 68th Co. 2nd Battalion, V.R. Corps

This profile is part of the Clark Name Study.

Ruben Matthew "Matt" Clark was born 26 November 1832 in Brockville, Leeds and Grenville Co, Ontario Province, Canada to John Clark and Amy J Snider. ^[1]

He moved with his family to Lena, Stephenson Co, Illinois in 1851 overland in covered wagons from Brockville area of Canada through western New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana with Several other families. One family was Ruben and Maria Snider.^[1]

He married Althear Clark 12 June 1860 at Lena, Stephenson Co, Illinois. To this union four children, two girls and two boys, were born.^[1]

Their first child, Ella Regina, was born 4 October 1861.

On August 9, 1862 he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to Co. G, 92 Regiment of the Illinois Infantry Volunteers. Unable to stand marching he was placed in the 68th Co. 2nd Battalion, V.R. Corps (hospital as a Corporal). He was honorably discharged at Louisvile, KY on July 5, 1865.^[1]

After Matt was discharged from the Army the family lived on a farm near Lena, Illinois. Alice Mae was born on 30 June 1866, Nathan Samuel "Sam" was born on 10 April 1868 and Itho Ray "Ite" Clark was born 11 Jun 1871..^[1]

In 1874 the family moved to Jewell County, Kansas. A farm was Homestead and a patent was Issued May 9, 1885. It was located on the NE 1/4 of Section 25-1-6 in Jackson Township, Jewell County, Kansas. This was their home for the rest of their lives.^[1]

Althear died 12 October 1921 at Republic, Republic Co, Kansas and was buried in Rose Mound Cemetery, Republic Co, Kansas.^[1]

Matt died 19 October 1923 at Republic, Republic Co, Kansas and was buried in Rose Mound Cemetery, Republic Co, Kansas.^[1]

Children of Sam and Althear:

1. Ella Regina (1861-1931)
2. Alice Mae (1866-1929)
3. Nathan Samuel (1868-1941)
4. Itho Ray Clark (1871-1951)

This profile is a collaborative work-in-progress. Can you contribute information or sources?

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7} Althear and Ruben Matthew Clark of Jewell County, Kansas: Their Ancestry and Their Heirs, C.C. Hobson, 1976.
   Ruben Matthew Clark was born Nov. 26, 1832 near Elizabethtown (Brockville), Leeds Co., Ontario, Canada. "Matt" went to school when he lived in Canada, also during the winter months after coming to Ill. When he was a young man he began working on the railroad and later became an engineer. At the age of 18 (1851) he came with his parents and family by covered wagon to Stephenson Co., Ill. where they settled on a farm near Lena, Ill.
   On June 12, 1860 Ruben Matthew Clark was married to Althear Clark near Lena, Ill. Althear Clark was born Aug. 19, 1840 near Elizabethtown, Canada. She came with her parents and family to Waddams Township, Stephenson Co., Ill. in 1848. She grew to adulthood on the family farm.
   On August 9, 1962 Matthew left his family and enlisted in the Army and was assigned to Co. G, 92 Regiment of the Illinois Infantry Volunteers. Matt was not able to stand marching so he was placed in the 68th Co. 2nd Battalion, V.R. Corps (hospital as a Corporal).
   The following notes are taken from a speech given at a reunion of the 92nd Ill. Volunteers at Mt. Carroll, Ill. and recorded in a Lena Star Supplement, Sept. 12, 1973: The 92nd Regiment was active in Kentucky, then left Kentucky by steamer down the Ohio River and up the Cumberland. The Kentucky march helped populate the Danville Cemeteries and the steam boat march added to the Nashville, Tenn. Cemeteries. On July 3, 1963 the 92nd was "mounted" and armed with the Spencer rifle, then chased Bragg's Army through Tenn. Their flag was the first to fly over Chattanooga. They also took part in the terrible battle of Chicamauga. Later the 92nd did outpost duty for Sherman's Army in the Cumberland Range. Some were captured during this outpost duty and suffered in Andersonville Prison. Next the 92nd took part in the Battle for Atlanta in the Jonesboro area; helped take Savannah, then on to Aiken, South Carolina, and were at the Neuse River when Lee surrendered in April of 1865.
   Matt served till July 5, 1865 when he was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky. His military record gives Matthew's height at 5ft 5 1/2 in. sandy complexion, dark eyes and light hair. Later he received a $50 per month pension. This was a much greater pension than most received. It is not known what Althear and baby daughter did while Matt was in service.
   After Matt was discharged from the Army, the family lived on a farm near Lena, Ill. until 1874 when the family moved to the NE 1/4 of Section 25-1-6 in Jackson Twp. of Jewell Co, Kansas. This farm was Homesteaded and a patent was issued May 9, 1885. This was their home for the rest of their lives.
   About 1890 a fine new home was built by Althear and Matthew on the southeast corner of the farm. This house is a two story house with partial blue and yellow stained glass trim on the outer edge of the windows The interior woodwork was ornamental grooved type in the best taste of the era it was built. The living room was large in which Althear had extra nice furniture. The chairs and settee (small or medium sized sofa) were cherry wood and were upholstered with a gold velvet material. This living was room was used only on special occasions which was customary at the time. The house is still standing but no longer used. A large orchard was planted which extended from the house to a draw north of the house. This orchard had plantings of apple peach, apricot, cherry, plum, raspberry and gooseberry. The orchard was bordered by walnut trees. In later years they had fruit trees to the south of the house. In the front of the yard near the road a stately pine tree was planted and to this day it stands as a symbol to the splendor of the homestead in a by-gone era.
   Althear's general health was not good in later years but she was able to do some housework. Her pastime was quilting.
   Matthew could not get life insurance because he had only one lung, yet lived to be 90. He had cancer of the upper lip which he thought could have been started from smoking a pipe. The cancer was approaching the eye area of his face by the time of his death. Many trips were made to Mankato, Kans. (23 miles) for treatment but nothing helped very much.
   Matthew was Justice of the Peace of Jackson Township and did marry one couple, R.B.Scott and Lucy Gillialan on March 4, 1883. Matthew became a Master Mason Sept. 30, 1857 in Lodge #174. It is not known where this Lodge was, probably in the Lena area. A history of Stephenson Co. states R.M.Clark was a member of the Lena Chapter #105 AF & AM which was organized 10-5-1866. Althear and Matthew were members of the Jewell Lutheran Church which located 1 1/2 miles north and 3/4 mile west of the Clark Home.
   Althear passed away Oct. 12, 1921, and Matthew on Oct. 19, 1923. They are buried in the Rosemound Cemetery, Republic Co, Kans.
   Children of Althear and Ruben Matthew Clark all born near Lena, Ill. 1. Ella Regina 2. Alice Mae 3. Nathan Samuel 4. Itho Rae.

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M85Q-MZH : accessed 29 May 2016), John Clark, Waddams, Stephenson, Illinois, United States; citing family 1108, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

Name: John Clark

Event Type: Census

Event Year: 1850

Event Place: Waddams, Stephenson, Illinois, United States

Gender: Male

Age: 47

Race: White

Birth Year (Estimated): 1803

Birthplace: Canada

House Number: 1048

HOUSEHOLD	ROLE	GENDER	AGE	BIRTHPLACE
John Clark	Head	M	47	Canada
Amy Clark	Wife	F	36	Canada
Reuben Clark	Son	M	17	Canada
Betsy Clark	Dau	F	16	Canada
Josephine Clark	Dau	F	14	Canada
John F Clark	Son	M	12	Canada
Arenath Clark	Dau	F	10	Canada
Hiram Clark	Son	M	8	Canada
Ezekiel Clark	Son	M	6	Canada

• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXHF-YB4 : accessed 29 May 2016), J C Clark, 1860.

Name: J C Clark

Event Type: Census

Event Date: 1860

Event Place: Waddam, Stephenson, Illinois, United States

Gender: Male

Age: 60

Race: White

Birth Year (Estimated): 1800

Birthplace: Canada

Page: 313

HOUSEHOLD	ROLE	GENDER	AGE	BIRTHPLACE
J C Clark	Head	M	60	Canada
Ama Clark	Wife	F	56	Canada
R M Clark	Son	M	24	Canada
Fleutch Clark	Son	M	20	Canada
Asurette Clark	Dau	F	18	Canada
Hiran Clark	Son	M	16	Canada
Ezekel Clark	Son	M	14	Canada
Arthur Clark	Son	M	8	Ill
Geo Clark	Son	M	5	Ill

• "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6WZ-HLY : accessed 26 May 2016), Reuben M Clark, Illinois, United States; citing p. 2, family 13, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,774.

Name: Reuben M Clark

Event Type: Census

Event Year: 1870

Event Place: Illinois, United States

Gender: Male

Age: 37

Race: White

Race (Original): W

Birth Year (Estimated): 1832-1833

Birthplace: Canada West

Page Number: 2

HOUSEHOLD	ROLE	GENDER	AGE	BIRTHPLACE
Reuben M	Head	M	37	Canada West
Althea	Wife	F	30	Canada West
Ella R	Dau	F	8	Illinois
Alice May	Dau	F	3	Illinois
Nathan S	Son	M	2	Illinois

• "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF5S-M12 : accessed 27 May 2016), Reuben Clark, Jackson, Jewell, Kansas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 121, sheet 323A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0383; FHL microfilm 1,254,383.

Name: Reuben Clark

Event Type: Census

Event Date: 1880

Event Place: Jackson, Jewell, Kansas, United States

Gender: Male

Age: 48

Marital Status: Married

Race: White

Race (Original): W

Occupation: Farmer

Relationship to Head of Household: Self

Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Self

Birth Year (Estimated): 1832

Birthplace: Canada

Father's Birthplace: Canada

Mother's Birthplace: Canada

Sheet Letter: A

Sheet Number: 323

Person Number: 0

Volume: 1

HOUSEHOLD	ROLE	GENDER	AGE	BIRTHPLACE
Reuben	Self	M	48	Canada
Alatheer	Wife	F	40	Canada
Allice M	Daughter	F	13	Illinois
Nathan	Son	M	11	Illinois
Itho R	Son	M	9	Illinois

• "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMTR-ZZJ : accessed 8 September 2017), R M Clark, Jackson & Sinclair Townshis, Jewell, Kansas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 54, sheet 4A, family 195, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,484.
  

Name: R M Clark

Event Type: Census

Event Year: 1900

Event Place: Jackson & Sinclair Townshis, Jewell, Kansas, United States

Gender: Male

Age: 68

Marital Status: Married

Race: White

Race (Original): W

Relationship to Head of Household: Head

Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head

Years Married: 40

Birth Date: Nov 1832

Birthplace: Canada E

Marriage Year (Estimated): 1860

Immigration Year: 1850

Father's Birthplace: Canada E

Mother's Birthplace: Canada E

HOUSEHOLD	ROLE	GENDER	AGE	BIRTHPLACE
R M Clark	Head	M	68	Canada E
Althear Clark	Wife	F	60	Canada E
Issac Clark	Son	M	29	Illinois
Ada Clark	Daughter-in-law	F	28	Iowa
Bessie Clark	Granddaughter	F	2	Kansas
Harvey Clark	Grandson	M	1	Kansas

• "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2CF-X2W : accessed 8 September 2017), I R Clark, Jackson, Jewell, Kansas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 66, sheet 12A, family 272, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 442; FHL microfilm 1,374,455.
  

Name: I R Clark

Event Type: Census

Event Date: 1910

Event Place: Jackson, Jewell, Kansas, United States

Gender: Male

Age: 38

Marital Status: Married

Race: White

Race (Original): White

Relationship to Head of Household: Head

Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head

Birth Year (Estimated): 1872

Birthplace: Illinois

Father's Birthplace: Canada

Mother's Birthplace: Canada

Sheet Letter: A

Sheet Number: 12

HOUSEHOLD	ROLE	GENDER	AGE	BIRTHPLACE
I R Clark	Head	M	38	Illinois
Ada A Clark	Wife	F	37	Iowa
Bessie L Clark	Daughter	F	11	Kansas
Harry H Clark	Son	M	9	Kansas
Alice Clark	Daughter	F	7	Kansas
Doman T Clark	Son	M	4	Kansas
William H Clark	Son	M	1	Kansas
R M Clark	Father	M	77	Canada English
Althear Clark	Mother	F	68	Canada English

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 27 May 2016), memorial page for Ruben Matthew Clark (26 Nov 1832–19 Oct 1923), Find a Grave Memorial no. 114448027, citing Rose Mound Cemetery, Big Bend Township, Republic County, Kansas, USA ; Maintained by Peggy Bargen Duey (contributor 46873059) .