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Mrs. Mary L. Clark
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Mrs. Mary L. Clark, who in her maidenhood was Mary L. Joslin, is a lady most highly respected in Jones county, where she has made her home for many years, deriving her income from a good farming property located in Castle Grove township. She was born in the state of New York, and there spent the first nine years of her life, after which she came with her parents to Jones county, Iowa. Here she was reared and educated and in 1874 gave her hand in marriage to Bently Clark, who was born in this county on the 22d of January, 1852, a son of Joseph and Matilda C. (Spencer) Clark. The father was born in Ohio, while the mother's birth occurred in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, from which place she later moved to Butler, Pennsylvania, and in May, 1839, came to Jones county, Iowa. Here she was united in marriage in 1847 to Joseph Clark, and unto this union were born three children, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. Clark entered land in this county and erected a log cabin with clapboard roof and puncheon floor and with the proverbial latchstring hanging out. He was engaged in farming up to the time of his demise, which occurred April 16, 1881, while his wife still survives at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years.
Under the parental roof in his native county Bently Clark passed the years of his boyhood and youth, and after reaching man's estate became identified with the dentist's profession, which he followed for six years. He then purchased a farm and was engaged in agricultural pursuits up to the time of his demise, which occurred on the 4th of February, 1905, his remains being interred in Oakwood cemetery. Aside from his mother and wife he left three children to mourn his loss. Harry B., who was born on the 6th of June, 1875, is now residing in South Dakota. Ford M., born September 19, 1882 is operating the home farm for his mother. Mattie E., who was born December 28, 1889, also resides at home with her mother. She is a graduate of the academy at Hopkington, Iowa, and has been engaged in teaching for some time. There are two grandchildren, Arthur R. and Effie E., both living with Mrs. Clark.
Mr. Clark was well known in local political ranks, being a stalwart supporter of the democratic party, and he held several township offices. He and his wife were both faithful and exemplary members of the Methodist Episcopal church, the teachings of which have ever formed the guiding influences of their lives. Fraternally Mrs. Clark is a member of the Royal Neighbors, the Rebekahs and also of the Royal Patrons, in all of which organizations she is actively and helpfully interested. She has many warm friends in the county, within whose borders she has resided for so long a time, for she possesses many excellent traits of character such as endear her to all who come within the close circle of her friendship, while in her own family she has ever been a devoted and loving wife and mother.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 298. |
 Bently Clark, husband of Mary. | ||
© Copyright 1997-2013, The Art Department, © Copyright 2014-2020, Richard Harrison.
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