Nathaniel Clark (1821 - 1909)

Born 2 Oct 1821 in Sussex, Sussex, New Jersey, United States

Husband of Maria (Hanford) Clark — married 10 Sep 1844 in Livingston County, New York, United States

Husband of Sarah M. (Barnes) Clark — married 8 Oct 1891 in Osceola County, Michigan, United States

Descendants

Died 7 May 1909 at age 87 in Los Angeles, California, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Mr. Fitzgerald [send private message]

Biography

Nathaniel Clark was married twice. His first marriage was to Maria Handford (1824-1890) on 10 Sep 1844 in Livingston County, New York. They had eleven children. After the death of Maria in 1890, Nathaniel remarried to the widow, Sarah (Barnes) Sunderlin in 1891. Sarah passed away in 1903. In his later years, Nathaniel suffered from dementia and lived with his daughter's family in Los Angeles. He died there on 7 May 1909. His body was returned to Michigan for burial in Woodland Cemetery in Reed City, Michigan.

"Biography of Nathaniel Clark (Find-a-Grave Memorial 103349918)

Nathaniel Clark, Register in the United States Land Office, is a pioneer resident of Reed City.

He was born Oct. 2, 1821, in New Jersey, and is the son of John and Amelia (Decker) Clark, both of whom were born in the same State and were of English and German lineage.

His father was born July 11, 1799 and died Sept. 6, 1867; the birth of his mother occurred Nov. 30, 1798, and her demise took place Jan. 19, 1878.

They were married Sept. 2, 1820.

His father moved to Livingston Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1825, where he purchased a farm.

Mr. Clark was reared to manhood on the farm.

He was married Sept. 10, 1844, in Brushville, Livingston Co., N. Y., to Maria Hanford.

She was born March 2. 1824, in Parma, Monroe Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of John and Polly Hanford.

Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been the parents of 11 children, nine of whom are living: Nelson B. was born July 4, 1845, in Sparta, Livingston Co., N. Y., and deals in hemlock bark at Fremont Center, Newaygo Co., Mich.; Annis A. was born Feb. 8, 1847, and lives in Santa Barbara, Cal.; George S., Jan. 1, 1849; Mary E., Feb. 14, 1851; Emma F., Jan. 12, 1853; Ellen T., March 21, 1855; Irvilla, March 11, 1857, and died Nov 26, 1859, John H., Nov. 9, 1858, and died Nov. 26, 1859; Percy H., Sept. 20, 1860; Lillian M., Aug. 16, 1863; Myrtle M., May 10, 1867.

The mother of Mrs. Clark was born March 11, 1794, and she died July 21, 1832.

Her father was born Jan. 28, 1789, and died in the spring of 1862.

In 1847 Mr. Clark went to Jefferson Co., Pa., and engaged in farming, lumbering and merchandise, conducting his combined interests 13 years.

In 1860, he came to Michigan and became interested in lumbering at Vassar, Tuscola County, operating in that line of business for some time.

In the year preceding the close of the war he entered the military service of the United States, enlisting in August, 1864, as a private in the 29th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf.

He served primarily as a wagon-master of the regiment and afterwards, as brigade wagon-master, and remained in the army until the close of the war. His oldest son was Orderly.

On obtaining his discharge he returned to Tuscola County, to the present site of Cass City, where he engaged in mercantile business and erected the first building for trading purposes in the place.

He established his business in the same avenues in which he had operated at the outset of his independent career, and trafficked extensively as a merchant and lumberman, and also carried on his farming interests.

During a portion of the time he was a member of the mercantile firm of Craw & Clark, located at Caro.

He sold his interests there and came to Reed City in 1871.

At that place he founded a mercantile and lumber trade, which was in active existence two years, and in 1873 he went to Chase, Lake Co., Mich., and operated in general merchandise.

In the fall of 1876 he secured a soldier's claim of 160 acres of land in Custer Township, Mason County, which he proceeded to place in good agricultural condition, with good buildings, orchards and other farm appurtenances, and with 65 acres wholly cleared.

He sold the property in the spring of 1881 and settled at his home at Reed City, where he had continued to maintain his residence.

In 1881 he was elected Supervisor of Richmond Township, which he resigned in April, 1884, to accept the position under the United States Government of which he is still the incumbent.

The duties of Receiver are discharged by W. H. C. Mitchell.

At Reed City, Mr. Clark owns a residence and two lots, and is also the proprietor of 10 acres of land in the southwest part of the village.

He is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic.

At the time Mr. Clark made his location where he resides at Reed City, he had to clear the lot, cut brush and build a road through one square to Upton Avenue.

Sources

Census Records

• "United States Census, 1850," Nathl Clark, male, age 29, lumbering, head of household; Heath, Jefferson, Pennsylvania, USA; https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/49030:8054

• "United States Census, 1860", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXR8-X3L : Fri Mar 08 18:42:40 UTC 2024), Entry for Nathaniel Clark and Maria Clark, 1860.

• "United States Census, 1870," Nathaniel Clark, male, age 48, birthplace, New Jersey, farmer, head of household; Elkland, Tuscola, Michigan; https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/27516746:7163

• "United States Census, 1880," Nathaniel Clark, male, age 59, farmer, married, head of household; Custer, Mason, Michigan, USA; https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/31473801:6742

• "United States Census, 1900," Nathaniel C. Clark, male, age 78; Birth, Oct 1821, New Jersey; farmer, married, head of household; Richmond, Osceola, Michigan; https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/25353034:7602

Military Records

• "U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865," Nathaniel Clark; Age on 1 July 1863, 42; Residence, Vassar, Tuscola, Michigan, 6th Congressional District, Class 2; https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/3007421:1666

• "U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865," Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers; Nathaniel B Clark; Enlistment age, 42; Enlistment, 13 Aug 1864, Vassar, Michigan, rank Private, Company A, 29th Infantry; Muster out, 6 Sep 1865, Mufreesboro, Tennesee;

Marriage to Sarah M. (Barnes) Sunderlin

• "Michigan County Marriage Records, 1867-1952," Nathaniel Clark, age 70, and Sarah M. (Barnes) Sunderlin, 8 Oct 1891, Osceola, Michigan; Father, John Clark Jr.; Mother, Milly Clark; https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/307817:61374

Death & Burial

• "California Death Index, 1905-1939," Nathanie Clark, male, age 87; Death, 7 May 1909, Los Angeles, California, USA; State File No. 11884; https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/797306:5187

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103349918/nathaniel-clark: accessed 30 December 2022), memorial page for Nathaniel Clark (2 Oct 1821–7 May 1909), Find a Grave Memorial ID 103349918, citing Woodland Cemetery, Reed City, Osceola County, Michigan, USA; Maintained by Meauwataka (contributor 48513981).

Death Notices

• "Los Angeles Evening Post-Record," (Los Angeles, CA), Mon., 10 May 1909, Page 8; https://www.newspapers.com/image/677864756 (Attached)

• "The Los Angeles Times," (Los Angeles, CA), Sun., 9 May 1909, Page 12; https://www.newspapers.com/image/380253603 (Attached)