John Q. A. Clark, farmer, resident on sec. 25, Morton Tp., was born
March 5, 18929, in Allegany Co., N.Y. He is the son of Elijah and Sabra
(Philips) Clark. At the age of 13 he left the paternal roof to enter
upon his work in life. He found employment on farms, which he pursued
in the laboring seasons and "worked for the board" while securing the
benefits of several terms of winter school. On reaching manhood he
learned the trade of carpenter, at which he worked diligently 12 years.
Mr. Clark came to Michigan and settled in Tuscola County, where he
entered a claim of 160 acres of Government land, and there he lived and
prospered fairly until the memorable fall of 1871, when that section of
the Lower Peninsula of Michigan was devastated by fire, following so
closely upon that of Chicago, that both are inseparably connected in the
memories of men. The devouring flames swept away everything in and
about the place, and as soon as practicable Mr. Clark removed himself
from all associations with that period of horror and loss. He came to
Mecosta County and bought 80 acres of timbered land. The situation of
his farm is fine; it is level and lies somewhat higher than the adjacent
country, and is proportionately dry and tillable. He has 15 acres
cleared and under cultivation.
Mr. Clark was married Sept.. 4, 1862, to Betsy Moore. Mr. and Mrs.
Clark have two children, the elder a daughter, Florella M., now wife of
John E. Bristol, and living at Lake View. The younger, Homer, a boy of
13, resides with his parents.