My Genealogy Hound

James Clark, one of the substantial farmers and first class citizens of Novi township, Oakland County, owning a finely improved farm of 120 acres in section 33, was born in 1851 in Lincolnshire, England. He is a son of Thomas and Lydia (Mann) Clark, who reared a family of eight children, as follows: John, who lives in England; Henry, who died in Salem township, Washtenaw County, May 22, 1899, leaving a widow and three children, Thomas, James and Elizabeth; Maria, widow of John Clark, who is living in Montana with her children, — Lydia, William and Thomas; and Mary Ann, Eliza, Lydia and William, who live in England.

James Clark, who was the seventh member of the above family, came to America with his sister, Maria, in November,1867. They located at Chelsea, Michigan, and lived there during that winter, but in the spring he located in Salem township, Washtenaw County, and soon found work at good wages among the farmers. For nine years Mr. Clark engaged in farming by the month, and providently saved his earnings. In 1882 he bought his present farm, consisting of 120 acres in section 33, Novi township, where he has since been engaged in general farming, fruit culture and stock raising. His efforts have met with success, and he is regarded as one of the substantial men of his section and as a sensible, practical farmer.

In 1877 Mr. Clark was married to Martha Palmer, who died in 1882, leaving one son, Wardie J., who passed away at the age of 16 years. On December 20, 1883, Mr. Clark married Mary Louisa Burgess, who is a daughter of the late Thomas and Viletta (Jenne) Burgess, the former of whom was a farmer in Isabella County, Michigan, where he died September 11, 1903, his wife having passed away on the 1st of the preceding July, — their children were the following: Lorenzo B., of Clare County, Michigan; Marcena, of Isabella County, Michigan; Jay C., of Isabella County, Michigan; May Adella, of Lake County, Michigan; Nathan Francis, of Isabella County, Michigan; Mary Louisa (Mrs. Clark); and Lucia B., Jessie Jennie, Mark Avery and Amy Elnora, all of Isabella County, Michigan.

Mr. and Mrs. Clark have three interesting children, namely: Bertie E., born September 24, 1892; Blanche Martha, born September 8, 1895; and Lydia Viletta, born March 25, 1902, Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Northville Methodist Church. In politics our subject is a Republican.