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Below is a family biography from the book, History of Kentucky, Edition 7 by J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin and G. C. Kniffin and published by F. A. Battey Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HON. ASAHEL R. CLARKE was born in Harrison County, Ky., February 22, 1844. His father, John Clarke, a native of Ireland, came to America when a young man, and in 1840 located in Harrison County, Ky., where he married Miss Nancy Snodgrass; he was appointed to an important position under Gen. Taylor during the Mexican war, but his death occurred soon after, and was shortly followed by that of his wife, leaving the subject of this sketch an orphan at the age of seven. Asahel R. Clarke entered Millersburg College, Bourbon County, Ky., but before finishing his course, enlisted in the Confederate Army, Second Confederate Infantry; he was discharged on account of minority, joined Col. Chenault’s cavalry, and served in the Confederate Army until the close of the war. On his return he began the study of law, and in 1868 was admitted to the bar. In 1870 he married Miss Anna Swoope, daughter of Maj. Samuel F. Swoope, of Pendleton County, Ky., a lawyer and a member of Congress. In 1876 Mr. Clarke was appointed private secretary by Gov. McCreary, and in 1877 he was elected to represent Pendleton County in the Lower House of the General Assembly. In 1879 he was elected State senator from his district, and in 1883 was re-elected. He died in April, 1885. His widow, Anna Clarke, together with four children, survive him, viz.: Earnest, aged fourteen; Asahel R., Jr., aged eleven; George R., aged nine, and Catherine M., aged four years. Mrs. Anna Clarke is the present postmistress at Falmouth, Ky., having been appointed by President Cleveland in 1885.

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This family biography is one of 27 biographies included in the Pendleton County, Kentucky section of the book, The History of Kentucky, Edition 7 published in 1887 by F. A. Battey Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: History of Kentucky, Edition 7

View additional Pendleton County, Kentucky family biographies here: Pendleton County, Kentucky Biographies

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