My Genealogy Hound

Calvin Clark, Helena, Ark. Indiana has given to Phillips County, Ark., many estimable citizens, but she has contributed none more highly respected, or, for conscientious discharge of duty in every relation of life, more worthy of respect and esteem than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Wayne County on July 21, 1820, and is the son of John and Anna (Price) Clark, natives of North Carolina. The father moved to Indiana from North Carolina when eighteen years of age (or in 1836) and located in Wayne County, being among the very first settlers. He first followed farming, but in later years engaged in the milling and carding business, which he carried on until his death. His wife died in 1832, and both were members of the Friends Church. Their family consisted of five children, three of whom are now living: Calvin (the eldest child), Alfred (a farmer in Indiana was formerly a merchant) and Mary Ann Hadley (wife of Jesse Hadley, of Morgan County, Ind.). Those deceased were named: Sarah (wife of William Thornburg, of Rush County, died when about thirty years of age) and Lydia (who died when twenty years old). Calvin Clark received his education in the schools of Wayne and Morgan Counties, Ind., and was but fifteen years of age when his father died. His father had married again after the death of the mother, and Calvin made his home with his step-mother until after the father’s death, when he went to live with an uncle. Soon after he went to Monrovia, attended school for a time, and when eighteen years of age began teaching school in Henry County. This he continued for a number of years in the winter season, and followed farming in the summer. Later he engaged in farming near Richmond, Ind., which he continued until 1864, when he came to Arkansas and took charge of what was then known as the Orphans’ Asylum, taking charge of the same until 1886. This was a school for the colored orphans, and is now known as the Southland College, under the auspices of the Friends of the United States. Mr. Clark was married in 1844 to Miss Elida Clawson, of Indiana, who was born in 1822, and is the daughter of William and Keziah (Ward) Clawson, of North Carolina. To this union was born one living child, Eliza C. (wife of Theodore F. Wright, banker and miller of Granville, Ohio, and a partner with our subject in a plantation in this county). The children deceased were named as follows: Myra (born in 1845, and died in 1864, when a young lady) and Annie (who died in Indiana when in her sixth year). The above mentioned school was first organized by a Mrs. Clark, and her husband co-operated with her. This has been their life’s work, and they can justly be proud of the same. Their school was located at Helena for two years, and in 1867 they changed it to its present location, nine miles northwest of Helena. Mrs. Clark received her education in the best schools of Indiana (at that time) and is a recorded minister in the Friends’ Church. Mr. Clark is also a member of that church, being an elder in the same, and is a Republican in politics. Clark & Wright are the owners of about 1,700 acres of land, with 1,000 acres cleared.