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Below is a family biography included in The History of Pulaski County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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John J. Clark, treasurer of Pulaski County, Mo., and dealer in general merchandise at Waynesville, was born in Camden County, Mo., in 1842, and is a son of Benjamin Clark, who was born in the “Old North Carolina State” in 1819. About 1833 the latter went to Middle Tennessee with his father, Zachariah Clark, and two years later immigrated to Missouri, locating in Pulaski County, twelve miles west of the county seat. Here Zachariah purchased land, and began making him a home in the dense forest. He died in Camden County, Mo., at his son Benjamin’s home. About 1841 the latter settled in Erie, Camden County, and about three years later bought a farm in the southeast part of the county. In 1858 he returned to Pulaski County, and purchased a farm near Richland, where he resided until December 7, 1888, when he died. He served as assessor of Camden County for about twelve years, and in 1856 was elected sheriff and collector of the county, serving one term. His wife was born in Tennessee, and died in 1869, having become the mother of nine children. John J. is the eldest of the family, and was reared on a farm, making his home with his parents until 1868. He received a good common-school education, and at the age of twenty engaged in pedagoguing, which occupation he continued four terms. July 15, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, First Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, Confederate States Army, and served six months. He was in the battles of Wilson’s Creek, Lexington and Horse Creek, and then returned home, but January 26, 1863, enlisted as a teamster in the Government employ, hauling supplies from Rolla to Lebanon, Mo. August 24, 1864, he joined Company C, Forty-eighth Regiment Missouri Infantry, United States Army, and was mustered out on the 29th of June, 1865. After the war he engaged in farming and teaching school, and was also engaged in selling goods for several years. October 18, 1868, he wedded Miss Matilda L. Riddle, a daughter of Isaac and Martha (Rapp) Riddle, of Pulaski County, Mo. Mrs. Clark was born in the county in 1848. In 1878 Mr. Clark was elected county and circuit clerk of Pulaski County, and in 1882 was elected circuit clerk and ex-officio recorder, which position he held four years. In July, 1887, he commenced merchandising in Waynesville, his partner being J. M. Long, but in September the building and contents were consumed by fire, at a loss of $600. Mr. Clark re-engaged in the business in October of the same year, and has a remunerative and increasing trade. In November, 1888, he was elected treasurer of the county, and is now filling the duties of that office. He is a Democrat in politics, and his wife is a member of the Christian Church.

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This family biography is one of 80 biographies included in The History of Pulaski County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Pulaski County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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