My Genealogy Hound

John B. Clark, merchant and stock-dealer, of Warsaw, Mo., is a native of Benton County, born April 28, 1844, being a son of C. A. Clark, a native of Boston, Mass. The latter was taken to Michigan by his parents when a child, and after reaching manhood came to Missouri, whither his parents had moved at a previous date. Here he was married to Miss M. L. Clark, whose father was one of the early pioneers from New Jersey. Mr. Clark located in Warsaw, and here lived until his death in the winter of 1863. He was at one time postmaster of Warsaw, and also served as enumerator during the census year. John B. Clark was reared in Benton County, and at the age of twelve years began clerking in a store in Springfield. In 1861 he enlisted in the First State Guard, and in the summer of 1862 went to Texas on detached duty. He then enlisted in the regular Confederate service, joining the Eleventh Missouri Infantry, and serving until the close of the war, being on detached duty the most of the time, though in the quartermaster’s department a considerable period. After being disbanded at Shreveport, La., he returned to Warsaw, and was engaged in clerking for several years; but since 1874 has been engaged in merchandising on his own responsibility, the name of the firm at the present time being J. B. Clark & Co. They carry a large stock of general merchandise and have an extended and lucrative trade. Since 1878 Mr. Clark has been engaged in buying and shipping stock, which business is also proving remunerative. Mr. Clark was married in Warsaw to Miss Emma Parks, January 23, 1868. She was a daughter of Judge Samuel Parks, one of the early pioneers of the county. She was born, reared and educated in Benton County, and here died November 19, 1877. Mr. Clark then married, July 17, 1881, Miss M. M. Terry, adopted daughter of Dr. H. J. Watts, a native of Alabama, but reared and educated in Illinois. By her he became the father of four children: Louise, Mary, Emma and John B., Jr. Mr. Clark is the eldest of five children. One brother, C. T. Clark, who was a former business partner, died August 23, 1888. Another brother, R. A. Clark, is a traveling salesman. The other members of the family are residents of Warsaw.