Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 798 - 799 

GEORGE W. CLARK, who is now retired from active business and living at ease upon a competency, is a native of Dauphin County, Pa., and was born on the 22d of February, 1838. He received a good education in the common schools, and when a youth of seventeen years commenced serving an apprenticeship at the plasterer's trade, at which he employed himself afterward during his years of active labor. For a long period, he lived in the vicinity of Tremont, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and subsequently in the city of Pittsburgh.

            In 1861, when Abraham Lincoln first called for troops to aid in putting down the Rebellion, our subject, then a young man twenty-three years of age, enlisted in Company F, 10th Pennsylvania Infantry, in the three-months service, and at the expiration of this term re-enlisted, and served until the close of the war. He was present at many of its important battles, namely Chambersburg, Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry, being in a cavalry regiment. He also participated in the furious sabre charge at Kelley's Ford, one of the most bloody and hard-fought battles of the campaign. He was promoted first to Corporal, and then to Sergeant, and after the expiration of his second term of enlistment entered the ranks once more, this time in Company D, 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry, with which he remained until the surrender of the Confederate forces.

            Sergt. Clark was frequently detailed to drill recruits, and had charge of a detachment of 600 men from different regiments. At Petersburg he assisted in selecting the forces available for the battle, and was detailed as Clerk at the Adjutant's headquarters. He fortunately escaped wounds and imprisonment, and was never in the hospital. He was mustered out under general orders at Lynchburg, Va., on the 24th of July, 1865, and received his honorable discharge at City Point.

            W. E. Clark, the father of our subject, was born in Pittsfield, Mass., and married Miss Hannah Campbell, of Lebanon County, Pa. This lady was of German ancestry, and her people had been residents of Pennsylvania for many generations. Mr. Clark was a miner by occupation and, with the exception of a trip to Indiana with his family, continued a resident of his native State until his death, which occurred when he was but forty-eight years of age. He was a man of sound religious principles, although not a member of any church. He was, however, inclined to the Methodist belief. The three children of the parental family were George W., of our sketch, Sophia E. and Hattie L. The sisters of our subject are married and residents of Pennsylvania. The mother died April 16, 1882.

            Upon the return of our subject from the army, he resumed his trade of plasterer, and while a resident of Schuylkill, Pa., was married, March 2, 1868, to Miss Emma J., daughter of Josiah A. and Sally (Masner) Snyder, well-to-do people and farmers of Northumberland County, Pa. Mrs. Clark was born there Oct. 30, 1843, and by her union with our subject became the mother of the following children: Allen B., William E., George W., Hattie M., Saddie B., Lulu G., and Walter, who died in infancy.

            After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Clark took up their residence in Harrisburg, Pa., whence a short time afterward they removed to Allentown. Later they became residents of Philadelphia, and from there removed to the town of Lykens, in Dauphin County, where they lived until April, 1878. Mr. Clark then decided to seek his fortune west of the Mississippi, and coming to Cowley County, this State, located in Winfield, where he was engaged at his trade until 1882. In the spring of that year he came to Wichita and purchased property, which has increased in value until it is now estimated to be worth at least $10,000.

            Mr. Clark has literally earned his property by the sweat of his brow. As a soldier he was prompt and reliable, and as a citizen he has been honorable and enterprising. Socially, he belongs to the A. O. U. W. and the G. A. R., and in political belief is an unswerving Republican.

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