My Genealogy Hound

ISAAC JONES CLARK, a well known retired resident of Lower Merion township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, was born June 18, 1846, in the township in which he now resides, a son of Dr. Jonathan and Susan (Freyburg) Clark, and great-grandson of John Clark, born September 14, 1749, died March 29, 1832 and his wife, Mary Clark, born October 4, 1761, died October 20, 1824. John and Mary Clark were the parents of the following named children: Deborah, born June 26, 1777, died October 24, 1781; Stephen, born December 25, 1778; Priscilla, born May 30, 1780; Champion, born November 9, 1781; Rena, born August 26, 1783; John, born April 23, 1785, died July 7, 1792.

Dr. Jonathan Clark (father) was born in the state of New Jersey, in 1812. His early education was acquired at the ordinary schools of the vicinity and under private tuition. After completing his studies as well as was possible with the facilities which were afforded at that day, he entered a drug store as a clerk. He took up the study of chemistry with a view of extending his knowledge still further in the domain of medical science, and in 1831 was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. Shortly after securing his diploma he entered upon a successful career in the practice of his profession, continuing therein until the year 1857, in Lower Merion township, Montgomery county, when he retired from active practice. He was an eminent physician in his day, and was among the first to use ether to relieve the pain of parturition. He was much in advance of the time in which he lived, not only in the particular named, but in many others. His published works show him to have been a man of great knowledge and skill, who combined with thorough study of the principles of medical science, long experience of the most valuable kind in his profession. After his retirement from the profession of medicine he devoted his attention to the mining of coal, being a partner in the Crow Hollow Mining Company, whose operations were conducted in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. He finally retired altogether from active pursuits; leading a retired life until his death, November 12, 1869.

Dr. Jonathan Clark was united in marriage to Susan Freyburg. Their children were: 1. Lewis Jones, born June 25, 1835, died when he had reached the age of twenty-one. 2. Joseph Brookfield, born February 24, 1838, died in infancy. 3. Nathan Beach, born April 15, 1840, married Ellen Walddie, no issue, and died April 18, 1898. He was appointed third assistant engineer in the United States navy on May 13, 1861; second assistant engineer, December 17, 1862, first assistant engineer, July 1, 1865, became chief engineer, October 16, 1868, and was placed on the retired list, March 3, 1885. 4. Edward Wurts, born May 20, 1842, died in the United States service, having been appointed third assistant engineer at the age of twenty-four years. 5. Margaretta Beach, born November 28, 1843, became the wife of Owen Jones, and mother of one daughter, born in 1874, who became the wife of Clarence T. Faires, M. D., and they are the parents of one child, Clarence T. Faires, Jr. 6. Isaac Jones, mentioned hereinafter. Mrs. Susan (Freyburg) Clark having died, Dr. Clark married Eliza Deringer, daughter of Henry and Eliza Deringer, and by the second marriage he had two children: Estalina, deceased, and Eva Evangeline.

After completing his public school studies Isaac J. Clark entered upon an active career in the extensile plant owned by Henry Deringer, father of Mrs. Eliza (Deringer) Clark, known as the Deringer Pistol Factory, located in Philadelphia, where he learned the various details pertaining to the business. He continued in the establishment a period of four years, when the head of the firm died and was succeeded by his son, Bronaugh Deringer, who died a year later. Then Mr. Clark took charge of the business for the family, succeeding so well that in 1873 he purchased the business and conducted it on his own account. In 1881 he retired from active pursuits, turning over his extensive interest to others, and has since confined himself to the walks of private life. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian. In politics he is a Republican, supporting the principles and nominees of that party, but not seeking political preferment of any kind.