My Genealogy Hound

M. M. Clark, DeVall’s Bluff, Ark. Mr. Clark, another of the honored and much respected pioneers of Prairie County, was originally from Kentucky, where his birth occurred in Warren County, in April, 1829, and was the eighth in a family of thirteen children born to the union of Joseph and Sarah (Moore) Clark, natives of South Carolina. The parents were married in Warren County, Ky., in 1818, and the father followed the occupation of a farmer until his death, which occurred in 1852. His wife died in St. Louis two years later. The grandparents on both sides were pioneers of Kentucky, and the paternal grandfather, Micajah Clark, was in the Revolutionary War, as was also the maternal grandfather, Hugh Moore, who died in Kentucky, at the age of ninety-six years. M. M. Clark was early taught the duties of the farm, and received his education in the schools of Warren County, Ky. He came to Arkansas in 1854, settled in Mississippi County, near Osceola, where he purchased 161 acres of land, with ten acres cleared. He also entered 160 acres, making 320 acres in all, cleared the same, erected buildings, but in the freshet of 1858, lost everything he had. He was married in Mississippi County, Ark., in October, 1857, to Miss Temperance A. Herrell, a native of North Carolina, and in 1859 he sold out and came to Prairie County, Ark. In March, 1862, he enlisted at Des Arc, in Capt. Ball’s company, McCarver’s regiment, for three years, and was in the battle of Fort Pillow. After remaining there some time, he returned to Arkansas, and entered Gen. Hindman’s division, Col. Glenn’s regiment, participating in the battle of Oak Hill, Ark. He was with Gen. Price in his raid through Missouri. He was in the battle of Helena, where he received a bombshell wound in the foot, and was paroled at the hospital at Helena, in July, 1864. He then returned to Prairie County, Ark., entered the cavalry service, and was in active duty during the war. After this he returned to Prairie County, Ark., and in 1870 moved into Wattensas Township, where he purchased 160 acres of land, and now has seventy acres cleared and under cultivation. His principal crops are cotton and corn. He is active in politics, and votes with the Democratic party. He has been magistrate in his township. Mrs. Clark is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. To their union were born two children: John and Mary (now Mrs. George Ray). Mr. Clark has witnessed many changes in the country since his residence here, being one of the oldest settlers in the township, and has always taken an active interest in all matters relating to the good of the county. He is deeply interested in educational matters, and has been a member of the school board for sixteen years.