The subject of this biographical review is eminently deserving of mention
in a compilation as is the nature of this one, owing to the fact that his
has been an active life, fruitful of good results and among his friends and
acquaintances he has ever held an honorable position.
Thomas J.
Clark, publisher of The Clay County Democrat and one of the men of influence
in this part of the great Prairie state, was born in Hancock county,
Indiana, August 4, 1853, the son of Aruna Clark, who was a native of Sevier
county, Tennessee, and who came to Indiana when twenty years old, settling
in Rush county. He was a carpenter and a minister, thus emulating the life
of the lowly Nazarene. He removed to Shelby county, Illinois, in 1860, and
in 1865 moved to Effingham county, this state, where he resided until his
death in March, 1884. The Clark family originated in Tennessee. The
subject's mother, who died in 1882, was Charlotte Furman. Her mother was a
native of Scotland and her father of Pennsylvania, of German descent. Mr.
and Mrs. Aruna Clark were the parents of six children, two of whom died in
infancy. They are, Jonathan E., of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Sarah Arnold, of
Tucumcari, New Mexico; Mrs. Jennie Wood, of Beecher City, Illinois; Thomas
J., the subject.
Thomas J. Clark spent his early life in Effingham
county, this state, receiving a limited education in the country schools
there, and later attended the city schools of Effingham. After his school
days he learned the blacksmith trade at which he worked for eight years. He
then clerked in a general store for two or three years, after which he went
to railroading, which he followed up to February 1908, having given his
employers entire satisfaction in that line of work. In July, 1908, Mr. Clark
bought the Clay County Democrat, which he now conducts in a manner that
shows him to be a moulder of public opinion, his paper being a power for
good in Clay county. He has a good plant, well equipped and his paper is
well edited and the mechanical appearance of each issue shows that this part
of the work is well looked after. Since assuming charge of the plant the
circulation of The Democrat has increased as well as has the advertising.
Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Mary Lilley, December 20, 1876. She
was born and reared in Fayette county, Illinois, and to this union four
children have been born; William Edwin, who is married and is living at
Clarkson, Washington; Mrs. Gertrude Roseberry, of Pana, Illinois; Mrs.
Caroline Myers, of East St. Louis; Don, a linotype operator, living in East
St. Louis.
Our subject served one term as school director at Beecher
City, Illinois, and was City Clerk of Flora, for a part of one term, having
been appointed to fill a vacancy.
In his fraternal relations Mr.
Clark belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of
Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. In politics he is a loyal Democrat. He is
thoroughly interested in the affairs of his party and does what he can in
furthering the policies of the same.
Extracted 27 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay & Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 117-118.
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