My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography from the book, History of Kentucky, Edition 7 by J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin and G. C. Kniffin and published by F. A. Battey Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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GEORGE M. CLARK, bookkeeper and auditor for the trustees of the Covington Reservoir Company, is a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and was born January 30, 1817. He is a son of Elisha and Mary (McKnight) Clark, natives of Connecticut. George M. Clark was reared and educated in his native county, receiving an academical education. In 1840 he moved to Harrison County, Ky., where he engaged in school teaching, and taught in the Cynthiana Academy two years. In 1843 he married Miss Louisa J. Chowning, daughter of John Chowning, of Harrison County, Ky. The same year Mr. Chowning’s family and Mr. Clark’s family removed to Covington, Kenton County, where Mr. Clark and Mr. Chowning engaged in the lumber trade. Mr. Clark was also city surveyor, and made the first map of Covington in 1845. He was employed in the construction of the Covington & Lexington Railroad, now known as the Kentucky Central; he was civil engineer, and for ten years served as ticket agent, secretary and bookkeeper. In 1861 he was appointed quartermaster in Col. Foley’s volunteer regiment, who were employed to protect the Covington & Lexington Railroad. Later he was appointed by the military board of Kentucky as assistant quartermaster, located at Covington, buying military stores and supplies. He was city treasurer two years, and at the close of the war was appointed chief clerk in the Sixth Collection District of Kentucky under Collector Nixon during Grant’s administration, in which position he continued for eight years. He accepted his present position in January, 1887. Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark, seven of whom are living, viz.: Mrs. Ella Scott, of Chicago; Edgar B. Clark, of Dakota; Mrs. Mary Stanhope, of Indianapolis; Mrs. Ada Merrell, of Ripon, Wis.; Mrs. Louisa J. Johnston, of Waupun, Wis.; Mrs. Harriet Nowland, of Covington, Ky., and Miss Ann P. Clark, a single daughter. Mr. Clark is a member of the Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 150 biographies included in the Kenton County, Kentucky section of the book, The History of Kentucky, Edition 7 published in 1887 by F. A. Battey Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: History of Kentucky, Edition 7

View additional Kenton County, Kentucky family biographies here: Kenton County, Kentucky Biographies

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