WILLIAM CLARKE

William Clarke was born in England on June 17, 1839, the son of James and Helen (Ellen) Malwerton, should be Warburton) Clarke. The parents were both natives of England and came to the United States in 1850. They settled in the suburbs of Chicago, where Mr. Clarke was a laborer. They remained here for five years when they came to Iowa, where he entered land and made a home. He had given his brother-in-law money with which to enter two hundred and eighty acres, but the entries were all made in his own name, except forty acres for Mr. Clarke. In the fall of 1856 the Clarkes came to Elysian township, where the father entered one hundred and sixty acres of land. The parents died here, but the land is still in possession of the family. James and Helen (Ellen) Clarke were the parents of the following children: William, Phoebe who died on November 17, 1876, and Richard, who also died on the same date as his sister. James Clarke, the father, was born on January 15, 1815, and died on December 10, 1892. His wife (Ellen) was born on June 16, 1816, and died on January 10, 1898 (should read October, 6, 1876).

William Clarke received his education in England and in the United States. His father had settled in the heavy timber of Minnesota, and the son's life was that common to the youth whose early life was spent in the forest, where the family were endeavoring to make a home. Much hard work, with very little pleasure, was in store for the youth able to work at that time. William remained at home and assisted in the clearing of the farm until the time of his marriage, when he located on a farm east of Elysian, where he and his family remained for twelve years after which they moved to the old home farm, where they remained until the retirement of Mr. Clarke some twenty-five years ago. Before his retirement from active life, Mr. Clarke served for three terms as chairman of the board of supervisors.

On February 28, 1865, William Clarke was married to Helen (Helena) Fitzgibbon, who was born on August 13, 1842, and died on October 6, 1896 (should read January 10, 1898). To Mr. Clarke and wife were born the following children: James F., born on January 1, 1866; Mary E., September 16, 1867, and died on September 6, 1910; Agnes J., January 22, 1869; John Richard, September 13, 1870; William Francis, February 1, 1872; George Alfred, a dentist, September 1, 1873; Charles P., a civil engineer, February 3, 1875; Paul, a dentist, October 13, 1876; Robert, a physician, May 28, 1878, and died on June 2, 1912; Phoebe P., January 30, 1880; Catherine, September 21, 1881, and Charles P., June 13, 1883, having died in infancy. (Actually, Charles P, who was born February 3, 1875, died in infancy).

Mr. Clarke increased his home farm to two hundred and twenty acres and owned one hundred and forty acres nearby. The farms were well developed and cultivated and the home place has most excellent improvements. Mr. Clarke was the first man in Le Sueur county to breed full-blood Poland China hogs. At one time he had fine herds of full-blood Holstein an Jersey cattle. The sons, James and Richard, continue to breed high-class stock and manage the farm.

William Clarke is a man of sterling worth, progressive and believes in education, having given his children the best advantages possible. By hard work, economy and a keen business instinct, he has become possessed of much land and personal property.

History of Nicollet & Le Sueur Counties, pages 153, 154)

Contributed by S R Allen