Henry M. Clark, farmer, sec. 26, Deerfield Tp., P.O. Morley, was born in
"York" State, June 13, 1843. His parents, Henry M. and Susan A.
(Wilcox) Clark, were born in the Empire State and removed thence to
Montcalm Co., Mich., in 1854. The father died June 13, 1861; the mother
is living in Greenville, Mich.
Mr. Clark grew to manhood on his father's farm and at 18 went to work
for his uncle, where he spent one year. At 19 years of age, inspired by
the enthusiasm to which the entire North was aroused by the outbreak of
the Southern Rebellion, he enlisted in the One Hundred Thirty-sixth Reg.
N.Y.. Vol. Inf., for three years, receiving honorable discharge June 13,
1865, at Washington D. C. His war record exhibits the deathless names
of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. His regiment was
transferred to the Army of the Cumberland where Mr. Clark was under fire
at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and was in the historic "March
to the Sea" with Sherman. Throughout the extent of his service Mr.
Clark was constantly on duty, excepting 10 days when he was on "sick
leave" with ague.
On being mustered out he came to Montcalm County, and, in company with
his brother, bought the old family homestead, containing 120 acres of
land. About the year 1868 he sold out to his brother and bought another
farm in the same county, where he stayed three years. On selling the
last named property he went to Greenville and until 1879 was interested
din the lumber trade. In that year he came to Mecosta County and bought
40 acres of unimproved lad, and now has 16 acres under the plow. Mr.
Clark is Democrat.
He was married in Greenville, Mich., May 1, 1868, to Letitia, daughter
of James and Rhonda (Reynolds) Swarthout. Mrs. Clark was born in t he
State of New York Aug. 27, 1843. Mr. Clark's family includes three
children, born as follows: H. M., July 6, 1875; George, June 11, 1878,
and Maud, May 27, 1880. Two children have gone to the land of the
unknown: Frank was born March 23, 1870 , and died Aug. 27, 1870; Lewis,
born march 9, 1872, died Aug. 25, 1872.