My Genealogy Hound

RODOLPHUS C. CLARK, a well-known farmer of Prescott, was born in Rutland, Vt., December 18, 1832, son of Elijah and Zeviah (Weston) Clark. Mr. Clark’s grandfather, Asahel Clark, was one of the first settlers in Belchertown. He owned a large tract of land, upon which he followed agriculture successfully, and was a prominent man. He died in Belchertown at the age of ninety years. His family consisted of twelve children, eleven of whom, five sons and six daughters, reached maturity. Of these, Elijah, Mr. Clark’s father, was the youngest.

Elijah Clark was born in Belchertown and reared to an agricultural life, in which he continued for the active period of his life. He owned several farms. The greater portion of his life was passed in Belchertown, and he died at the age of eighty years. In religion he was a Baptist, while he was a Democrat in politics. His wife, Zeviah (Weston) Clark, who was born in Willington, Tolland County, Conn., became the mother of ten children. Five of these are living, namely: Rodolphus C., the subject of this sketch; John, a resident of Springfield; Elmina, wife of Rodolphus Cooley, of Springfield; Maria, widow of Rodolphus Converse, of Springfield; and Sophia King, widow of Captain King, now residing in San Francisco, Cal. Those deceased were: Weston E. and Orlando M., both of whom died in the Civil War; Elbridge, who died in Boston; Zeviah; and Mary Ann. The mother died comparatively young.

Rodolphus C. Clark passed his boyhood and youth in Ludlow and neighboring towns. At the age of eight years he went to live with Dr. W. Alden in Ludlow, with whom he remained eight years. He then engaged in peddling tinware and stoves, an occupation which he followed for ten years. He next busied himself in various pursuits, and during the Civil War became a government contractor, in which capacity he furnished the War Department with twenty-five hundred horses. He then turned his attention to lumbering, and while in that business contracted to furnish the Boston & Albany Railroad Company with a large amount of material. He has been an exceedingly active and busy man, and his various enterprises have all terminated successfully. In 1882 he purchased the farm where he now resides, which consists of one hundred and twenty acres, on which he is engaged in general farming, making a specialty of raising hay, grain, and fruits. His substantial residence, which is pleasantly situated, was erected by him; and he also owns real estate in other towns. He is a Democrat in politics and liberal in his views of religious differences.

On June 28, 1860, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Lorinda P. Hubbard, who was born in Ludlow, December 11, 1837, daughter of John P. and Harriet M. (Parsons) Hubbard, neither of whom is now living. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have three children, as follows: Minnie L., who resides at home; Mattie Howry, a resident of Prescott; and Mabel H., wife of Fred B. Purdy, of Belchertown.