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Below is a family biography included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1898. 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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WILLIAM H. CLARK of Cortland, the popular train dispatcher of the Lehigh Valley R. R., was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., September 9, 1858. He is a son of Harvey and Cecelia Clark, and grandson of Isaiah Clark.
Isaiah Clark was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., and lived there all his life, being engaged in general farming. He was the father of eight children, five boys and three girls, one of the boys being Harvey, the father of our subject. Mr. Clark sided with the Republicans in politics. He was an active member of the Baptist Church.
Harvey Clark was born February 12, 1832, in Onondaga County, N. Y. After attending the public schools there, he engaged in the railroad business, and has been connected with it ever since. For a while he ran a stationary engine for the D., L. & W. R. R., but now holds the responsible position of watchman in the car shops of Syracuse, N. Y. In politics he is a strong Republican. He is an earnest member of the Baptist Church of Syracuse. He has reared two children, — William H. and Bertha.
William H. Clark attended the public schools in his native town, after which he entered the railroad business. Beginning as telegraph operator, he gradually worked up until he now occupies the responsible position of train dispatcher. He began as operator, and filled that position on the D., L. & W. R. R., West Shore R. R., and other roads. He has been train dispatcher for various roads for fifteen years, and now acts in that capacity for the Lehigh Valley R. R., at Cortland, N. Y.
Mr. Clark was united in marriage, January 24, 1878, with Flora E. Lansing, daughter of Col. William Lansing of Syracuse, N. Y. Their happy union has been blessed by the birth of two children, — Goldie and Jessie. Since their residence in the village of Cortland, Mr. and Mrs. Clark have made many warm friends, and are highly esteemed by all who know them. In his political belief our subject is a Republican. His portrait* is shown on a previous page.
*A portrait was included in the original printed volume.
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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published in 1898.
View additional Cortland County, New York family biographies here: Cortland County, New York Biographies
View a map of 1897 Cortland County, New York here: Cortland County, New York Map
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