Topic starter
07/09/2009 2:09 pm
I recently did some research in Wheeling, WV and found the obituary of William Clark. I believe he was my ggg-grandfather's brother. I am posting a transcript here in the event anyone else is looking for this individual or is interested in his career on the river.
Obituary, Friday, January 5, 1900 Wheeling Intelligencer
"CAPT. WILLIAM CLARK DEAD
He Was a Native of Wheeling and Was Known as an Old-Time Pilot on Western Waters
Captain William Clarke, a veteran river man and one of the oldest residents of this vicinity, died at an early hour yesterday morning, at the residence of his son, Squire J.E. Clarke, in Bridgeport. He was in his eighty-sixth year and until a recent date had enjoyed good health unusual for one of his age. His rugged frame was stricken with paralysis about a week ago, since which time he grew gradually weaker until the close came of a long and honorable life.
The deceased was a native of Wheeling and was born on North Main street in 1814. When sixteen years of age he began running on the river, and for about fifty-five years as pilot and captain, and previously in minor capacities, he travelled on the Ohio, between Pittsburgh and Louisville principally. Eighteen years ago he foresook the river for a live of retirement. He moved from Wheeling to Bridgeport about thirty-four years ago, and since the death of his wife he made his home with his sons. Surviving him are seven children, six sons and one daughter, as follows; J.E. and W.H. Clarke, of Bridgeport; Harry, of Chicago; D.B. of Wheeling; Bently, of Freedom, PA; James, of Washington, D.C. and Mrs Chris Young of Portsmouth, Ohio.
Only one son is engaged in the river business; Captain Bently Clarke, of the Dick Fulton. The funeral will occur Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, from the residence of J.E. Clarke, in Kirkwood. The deceased was a member of the Kirkwood Presbyterian church. The interment will be at Mount Wood cemetery, this city.
Captain Clarke was a member of the Septuagenarian Club of Wheeling, Bridgeport and Martin's Ferry, many of the members of which have died during the past two years."
Some Notes on the Obituary:
1. I have typed the obituary exactly as it appeared (for example, note the surname is CLARK in the heading and CLARKE throughout).
2. Bridgeport is Bridgeport, Belmont County, OH.
I am also including some additional information I found on him - a cemetery record and some newspaper references.
CEMETERY RECORDS, OHIO, BROOKS AND MARSHALL COUNTIES WEST VIRGINIA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA (Wheeling Chapter DAR June 1974) lists:
Lot A35
William Clark 1815-1900
Ruth M. Clark 1818-1888 wife of William
Mary J. Clark 1851-1875 wife of William C.
(not sure who Mary J. Clark is - maybe another daughter?)
THE NEWS THAT WAS (Published in the Wheeling News-Register) have some references to William:
1. October 8, 1978 reprint of certain 1869 editions reference "Capt. Charley Muhleman and Chris Young, clerk of the Major Anderson, arrived from Wheeling yesterday, to look after their packet. Pilots William Clark and Ben Ogle, of the R.R. Hudson, depart for Wheeling on to-day's train."
2. April 2, 1981 reprint of February 5, 1876 article. "Old Wheeling and Louisville Packet Line-in 1854 the following boats comprised the Wheeling and Louisville Packet Line. They were all first-class boats and did a large business. They were large and very costly boats; besides there was a first-class line of daily packets running to Pittsburgh, comprised principally of the fastest and finest boats on the river.
The Wheeling line were the Alvin Adams, Captain Norton; Baltimore, Captain Wm. Clark; Thomas Swan, Captain John McLure; Fall City, Captain S. Mason; David White, Captain Wells; City of Wheeling, Captain H. Conant."
End of Posting
Best regards
Paul
09/09/2009 5:17 am
Paul
I had quite a bit in my River Gen file on William Clark and his family, I don't remember why he got into my files maybe I just discovered him in the census while looking for someone else. Now I have a little more detail.
Carl
Topic starter
12/09/2009 2:55 pm
William Clark
Thanks Carl. To the extent you have anything in your files that would add to my knowledge of this riverman, please let me know. I am glad what I posted was helpful to you (as well as any others who might be interested).
Regards
Paul
24/09/2009 4:18 pm
Paul
If you send me your mailing address I came mail what I have on William Clark and his decedents, [email protected]
Carl
25/09/2009 3:23 am
Paul and others
It appears that William's son Jacob Bentley Clark got his original 1st class pilots license at Wheeling in 1867or 1868. he would have been 21 years old. William Clark got his 1st class pilots license in 1859 or 1860 at Wheeling. A William Clark got his master & pilot license 1st issue in 1874 at Pittsburgh. One sometime ends up wondering if he has the right person as all you have in the printed lists is the name, issue no. and year and place issued.
Carl
25/09/2009 3:34 am
Paul
There was a Clark captain of the General Brown working out of Louisville in 1838 from Doc 21. and a Samual Clarke captain on the Julla Gratiot owned by the United States and running Pittsburgh to Louisville in 1838, from Doc 21. Moore & Clarke were partiner in two boat in 1838 and T. S. Clark and Co. were owners of 6 boats in 1838.
carl
Topic starter
10/10/2009 1:31 pm
William Clark 1814-1900 Reply to Carl
Carl:
Thanks so much for your postings. Sorry for the delay in my response - I have been away from my computer for a while.
I would be interested in your information and will e-mail my mailing address to you.
I have been attempting to find information on Samuel Clark as well and had noticed the one who was captain of the General Brown. That boat exploded in November 1838 and Capt. Clark was one of the fatalities. I also found the following in the Wheeling directory, so that rules that Samuel out (see end of message for further information on the Samuel of the Gen. Brown):
1843 Wheeling Directory
Clark,
William, tailor 261 Main St.
Samuel, Ohio River pilot, 261 Main St
William, Jr., Ohio River pilot, 261 Main St
William, the tailor is likely the father, William Jr. is evidently the one I initially posted about and Samuel is probably the brother. I will have to look into the Samuel of the Julia Gratiot since that looks like a possibility - the run (Pittsburgh to Louisville) is also the run that this family seemed to generally have been involved with.
Another tidbit that may be about this Samuel:
Records of Marriages solemnized by Isaac Mayes, Justice of the Peace,
Washington County, Pa., 1811 - 1845
Samuel Clark - Caroline Thompson - Ohio Co - Dec 28, 1830
About the only other thing I know of him is that he was dead by May 1851 when he is listed as deceased in his mother's will and Samuel's daughter, Amanda, is listed as an heir. To date I haven't been able to find information on a wife or the daughter Amanda.
As for the Samuel of the Gen. brown, I found the following:
"Charles H. George is a native of Jefferson county, and was born December 4, 1849. He is the son of Thomas D. and Elizabeth (Clark) George, natives of Trimble county, Ky., and Cincinnati, Ohio, respectively.
His grandfather Milton George, came from Kentucky and settled in Madison township, Jefferson county, in 1830.
His maternal grandfather, Capt. Samuel Clark, is a native of Baltimore, Md.; he came to Madison, Ind., in 1831. He was a steamboat captain on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and lost his life by the explosion of the boilers of the "Gen. Brown," November 25, 1838.""
This was in:
JEFFERSON COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES
Taken from Biographical and Historical Souvenir
of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington
Published by John M. Gresham & Company 1889
Found at: http://ingenweb.org/injefferson/jeffersonbiographies3.html
Thanks again
Best regards
Paul
Topic starter
10/10/2009 3:41 pm
William Clark
Carl: The yahoo address times out before the message can be sent. You can send things regular mail to my attention at 307 S. Humphrey, Oak Park, IL 60302. Thanks Paul