Notes for Stephen Slipher CLARK

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Notes for Stephen Slipher CLARK

Lived Center, Clinton Co., Indiana in 1880.
CLARK, Stephen Slipher
One of the most versatile men in Clinton county, a man who had many interests in life and who was equally successful in all of them, is the subject of this sketch. He was descended from one of the hardiest of the pioneer families, and inherited a
great deal of their aptitude for unceasing and capable labor. Mr. Clark was well equipped mentally and physically for a life of unusual activity, and he made the most of his advantages. As a teacher, farmer, and minister of the gospel, he won a high
esteem and affection from his fellow citizens, and he well deserved their respect, for in every undertaking with which he was identified he employed the most honest and commendable methods of procedure.
Stephen S. Clark was born in Butler county, Ohio, December 2, 1831, and was the son of David C. and Mary Magdalene (SLIPHER) CLARK.
David C. Clark was born January 13, 1804, in the state of New Jersey and came to Ohio, accompanied by his parents when he was but an infant. He was raised on a farm, later becoming a farmer himself, also a bricklayer and plasterer. He obtained
his early education in the common schools of his home county. He came to Indiana in 1832, settling on the farm now owned by William Rose in Ross township, Clinton county, and entered several hundred acres of land from the government. His wife
possessed an excellent estate, inherited from her father, and Mr. Clark also entered a fourth section five miles east of his main holdings. He moved to the quarter section in Ross township, and later came to Frankfort, dying there on December 31,
1873. Mr. Clark cleared the land and prepared it for division among his children. He built his log home here, and during the first winter was compelled to live without doors, windows, or floor. Blankets were used to keep the cold out, and every
hardship experienced by the pioneer was included in their life. Wolves and others (sic) animals prowled about the cabin at nights (sic) and added their mournful cries to the lonely hours. Mr. Clark was once a trustee of Ross township, and was a
county commissioner in the early days. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist chruch (sic), as were all of his family.
David Clark was first married to Mary M. Slipher, the daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (FLENARD) SLIPHER, who were of German descent, and who settled in Ohio in 1804. Ten children were born to this union: Elizabeth, Augustus F., Stephen S.,
Issaac Newton, Eliza J., Jonas D. Tilghman A. Howard, William Allen and David Austin (twins), and George W. William A. was a soldier in the Union army, and served faithfully throughout the whole Civil war. He and his brother, Isaac Newton, were
ministers. Mrs. Clark died in 1865.
Mr. Clark was married the second time to Rebecca WHITE, whose maiden name was IVINS. No children were born to this second union, and the wife died on August 10, 1896.
To say a word more of our subject’s ancestry, his great-great-great-grandparents on his father’s side were English, while those of his mother were Germans. His great-great-grandfather, John CLARK, was born in Long Island, New York, in 1710, and
he died on May 12, 1794. His great-grandfather, Samuel CLARK, was born in New Jersey, December 9, 1752, and his grandfather, Stephen CLARK, was born in New Jersey, June 6, 1778.
Stephen S. Clark spent his early life on the farm. He received a good common school education, attended a private school, and was a student in Franklin College until small-pox broke out there, whereupon he quit, never to return. At this time Mr.
Clark treasured the ambition to be a teacher, thinking that in this vocation his training and excellent education might be put to the best advantage. He was actuated in this resolve by more than pecuniary compensation; he was intensely interested in
the educational development of his state, and believed that more rapid progress could be made. Accordingly, he entered the pedadogic profession, and continued for the long period of twenty years, during which time he built for himself a lasting
reputation as a successful and efficient instructor. Not only was he capable in the class room, but in the development of a definite system of teaching educators of the county and state. Many of his old pupils are among the influential people of
Clinton county today, and their respect and admiration for their former teacher has never diminished, and remains one of the pleasantest memories of the days gone by. During the years in which he taught, Mr. Clark kept himself in perfect physical
condition by work on the farm, with consequent greater vocational capacity and endurance.
At the age of twenty, Mr. Clark’s whole family became members of the Missionary Baptist church, and in the year of 1855 he himself was ordained a minister of this church. His vocation were then teaching, farming and preaching, and he was equally
successful in all of them. None of these occupations could be called an avocation, for Mr. Clark’s heart and soul were in everything he undertook to do, and his versatility was only an aid to his efficiency. He belonged to the Judson Association, and
preached in a number of churches. He devoted a great deal of his time and efforts to the church in Frankfort, and helped liberally in the building of the same. He was also a large contributor to the new church being built at this writing. The first
church was damaged by a wind storm and rendered unfit for further use.
On November, 7, 1860, he was married to Mary Jane AYERS, of Frankfort, the daughter of Albert G. and Abigail (BUNNELL) AYRES, farmers. Two children were born of this union: Julia Magdalene, who died in infancy; and Elizabeth STARK, now living at
Cleveland, Ohio, where her husband is pastor of the Glenville Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Stark had two children: Stephen Stevens, died in infancy, and Stephen Weeks, born November 22, 1906.
Stephen Slipher Clark, our subject, departed from this life on May 24, 1913, after a career of usefulness and good deeds. As a teacher, primarily, he won an imperishable reputation in the county, and as a farmer and preacher, he added to the
respect that is paid him.

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