, Clark County, Wisconsin History

....Source: Federal Census, Vermont phœnix, December 04, 1845, family records, Vital • Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, Page p170

Vital • Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, Page p170

Born: 16 Feb 1784 in Holliston,Middlesex,Massachusetts;
Father: Nahum Clark, Nahum Clark, b. 22 January 1750 in Medway, Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America and died: 9 July 1829 in Medway, Norfolk, MA.

Mother: Mary Stearns, 6 Feb 1753 in Hopkinton, Middlesex, MA Bay Colony, British Colonial America–1840, who married 09 Jul 1772 in Mendon, Worcester, MA and died 14 June 1840

Wife: Betsey Green, b. 22 November 1792, died 1 August 1890 in Brookline, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States

*The town of Holliston was incorporated on December 3, 1724, by virtue of approval by the General Court petition requesting that "the western part of Sherborn be a Town." The name was taken in honor of Thomas Hollis of London, a benefactor of Harvard College.

Children: Noah Wiswall Clark; 1814–?; Mary Stearns Clark, 1817–?; Moses Green Clark, 1820–1856; Sarah Irene Clark, 1822–1913; Elizabeth Green Clark, 1827–1909; Theophilus Albert Clark, 1830–?

Noah Wiswall Clark, b. 5 October 1814; in Milford, Worcester, MA; Mary Stearns Clark, b. 13 January 1817 in Milford, Worcester, Massachusetts; Moses Green Clark, b. 7 January 1820 in Milford, Worcester, Massachusetts, and died July 1856 in Platville, WI; Sarah Irene Clark, b. 20 March 1822 in Milford, Worcester, MA and died 30 October 1913 in WI; Elizabeth Green Clark, b. 3 November 1827 in Milford, Worcester, MA and died 13 February 1909; Theophilus Albert Clark, b. 22 June 1830 in Milford, Worcester, MA.

Siblings: Jotham Clark 1773–?; Beulah Clark 1775–1846; Abijah Clark 1776–1834; Cynthia Clark, 1778–1885; Theopheles Clark, 1784–?; Polly Clark, 1785–?; Nahum Clark, 1786–1841 and the youngest, Lucinda Clark' 1790–1841.

Albert W Clark Male 30 1830 Massachusetts White 11
Maria A V Clark Female 27 1833 Illinois White 11
Eda V. Clark Female 3 1857 California White 11
Gideon Clark Male 1 1859 Wisconsin White 11
Theophilas Clark Male 76 1784 Massachusetts White 11

*A. W. CLARK, farmer, Section 26, P. 0. Neillsville. Born in Boston, Mass, June 22, 1830; went with his parents to Dubuque, Iowa, and then to Grant Co., Wis., in 1843, and opened a tin and hardware shop. Before coming to Clark County in 1857, he paid a visit to California; then he located on this farm which is part of the old estate owned by his brother, who bad come to Clark County in 1843, then part of Crawford County, and thinks this county was named for him. Mr. C. had some 400 Or 500 acres of the estate and has built a saw-mill, called Clark's Mill, and has farmed and lumbered up to the present time. In 1852, he married Miss Mary A. Vineyard, of Quincy, Illinois. At the time Of her birth, in 1832, her mother was living in the midst of Indians and during the Indian War was removed to Quincy.

In 1848, settlers came in more numerously than during previous years, but without sufficient frequency of arrivals to materially augment the number, or accelerate the clearing of the lands, or enrichment of their owners. The new comers included J. W. Sturdevant, a Mr. Van Dusen, Mr. Waterman; Leander Merrill, Benjamin Merrill, John Morrison, probably Moses Clark, John Lane, Robert Ross, Elijah Eaton, Albert Lambert, and doubtless a very few others, whose names do not occur to the informants of these facts. The Merrills built a mill one mile below Myrick & Miller's old site, Lane another in the same vicinity, and Morrison near that of Lane's. Van Dusen & Waterman began milling eighteen miles above Neillsville, in what is now known as Eatontown, as also did Albert Lambert. Somewhat later, Elijah Eaton purchased the mill of Van Dusen & Waterman, and carried on the business for many years.

Excerpts from The History of Clark & Jackson Co., Wisconsin - 1881 Biographical Histories

Samuel Ferguson Male 51 1809 Ohio White 11
Joanna Ferguson Female 43 1817 Pennsylvania White 11
Harry F Ferguson Male 5 1855 Wisconsin White 11
Clara E Ferguson Female 2 1858 Wisconsin White 11
Anna M Ferguson Female 0 1860 Wisconsin White 11
James Ferguson Male 13 1847 Pennsylvania White 11
Barbara Helmer Female 14 1846 Wisconsin White 11
Franklin Cawley Male 26 1834 New Hampshire White 11
Anna Cawley Female 29 1831 Canada White 11
Jane E Cawley Female 3 1857 Wisconsin White 11
Sarah E Cawley Female 1 1859 Wisconsin White 11
Winthrop C Goss Male 36 1824 New Brunswick White 11
Mary Goss Female 29 1831 New Brunswick White 11
Robert Goss Male 6 1854 New Brunswick White 11
Henry Goss Male 4 1856 Wisconsin White 11
John Bois Male 38 1822 Germany White 11
Laura Bois Female 29 1831 New York White 11
George Allen Male 3 1857 New York White 11
Robert Scott Male 35 1825 Canada White 11
Laura Scott Female 29 1831 Wisconson Indian Other 11
Sarah Scott Female 9 1851 Wisconsin Half Brees Other 11
Mary Scott Female 3 1857 Wisconsin Half Brees Other 11
Robert Scott Male 5 1855 Wisconsin Half Brees Other 11
George Delany Male 30 1830 Massachusetts White 11
Robert Chamberlain Male 40 1820 New York White 11
Mary C Chamberlain Female 30 1830 Pennsylvania White 11
Mary Chamberlain Female 7 1853 Pennsylvania White 11
Frederick Chamberlain Male 5 1855 Pennsylvania White 11
Josephine Chamberlain Female 4 1856 Pennsylvania White 11
Charles Chamberlain Male 2 1858 Wisconsin White 11
Theresa Chamberlain Female 0 1860 Wisconsin White 11
John Mc Lane Male 69 1791 Massachusetts White 11
Solon W Sturdevant Male 26 1834 Pennsylvania White 11

STATE OP Vermont --Marlboro
In Probate Court, Oct. 30, 1845.

The following petition is presented, to wit:
To the Hon. the Probate Court for the District of
Marlboro.

The petition of the undersigned, Moses Clark of Mexico in the county of Oswego and state of New York, and Lucy Clark his wife, William E Bartlett and Katharine Bartlett his wife, of Jackson in the county of Susquehanna, and state of Pennsylvania, respectfully represents.
That the said Lucy and Katharine are heirs to to the estate of ENOCH COOK. late of Dummeration, in said district, deceased, and as such heirs are seized of two undivided fifth parts of two lots of land in Jimica the county or Windham, to wit: lot 112 and lot 113 containing two Hundred acres, subject to the right of dower of the widow in the premises that said dower has never been set out. nor has said estate ever been divided, lint said right of dower and the other three, undivided fifths of the premises are now owned by Nathaniel Ward, of Wardsboro In said county.
Wherefore, your petitioners pray that said real-estate may be divided, that they may hold their respective shares thereof, in severalty, according to the statute in such case made and provided.

MOSES CLARK, LUCY CLARK, WILLIAM H. BARTLETT, KATHARINE BARTLETT

By A. Keyes, their Attorney.
Bratlleboro, Oct. 30, 1845.

....Sources: History of Clark & Jackson Co., Wisconsin - 1881 Biographical Histories

On the 26th of February, 1856, the first murder to take place in the village of Neillsville happened. It seems that, some time in the year 1854, Moses Clark and William Paulley became involved in a quarrel at Black River Falls, in which the latter was brutally treated. On the date above indicated, Clark met B. F. French in the store of Clinton & Quaile, and a demand was made on him for a receipt for moneys advanced by French. Some argument followed, and during its progress Paulley interpolated an opinion of Clark, which was far from complimentary, adding that he owed him money, and when asked for it, Clark beat him like a dog.

" Yes, and I'll do it again," replied Clark. "You will, will you?" shouted Paulley. Upon which Clark advanced towards him. He had nearly reached his victim when Paulley drew a revolver and fired two shots into Clark's body, from the effects of which he never recovered. He was taken to Plattville, in Grant Co., where he lodged at the residence of Gideon Hawley, lingering till, June 30 following, when be died.

Paulley was indicted for manslaughter, tried, convicted, and sentenced. After serving out his term at Waupan, he removed to Black River Falls, where he died.

The editor of the American Sketch Book, Mrs. Bella French, came to Neillsville in 1875 searching information for the publication she was working on. She had the opportunity to meet and converse with some of those who had built themselves into the early history of Clark County. She met the senior James O’Neill, the founder, who was then 65 years of age. Then, she met B. F. (Doc) French, who seems to have been a close second to the city and county’s founder, in prominence (and no relation to Bella). There was Richard Dewhurst, for whom the Town of Dewhurst was named; James Hewett, who lives in the name of the main business street of Neillsville; Robert Ross, for which Ross Eddy was named; F. G. Cawley whose name was used for Cawley Creek.

Those whom Bella French wasn’t able to meet, but who were prominent historical figures were; Jonathan Cunningham, Mormon, for whom Cunningham Creek was named, because he had been drowned in the creek some 30 years before. Also, she was unable to meet Moses Clark, for whom some people claimed that Clark County was named, because Clark had been killed by William Paulley 25 or more years before. The American Sketch Book, 1875.

* Note: It is a strange coincidence that the first murder in Kansas occurred that fall when McCrae killed Clark, October 9. 1856.

Cole McRea, a free soiler, killed proslavery man Malcolm Clark because of a dispute involving competing property claims at least as much as political differences. Disputes over land resolved themselves through the death of one party left the person just as dead as any fight over slavery, but they also happened all across the frontier. They speak more to Kansas’ unsettled state and weak governance than to its specific political turmoil.

The 1860 Federal Census recorded the wealth of 40 yr. old William Polley / Pauley / Paulley as $3,000 and a personal estate $900. H was born in PA and was married to Levina who was born in New York and was 25 yrs. old. 10 yr. old Wisonsin born Burr Nichols and his 9 yr. old sister were also listed as residents in the home.

Show your appreciation of this freely provided information by not copying it to any other site without our permission.

Become a Clark County History Buff

Report Broken Links

A site created and maintained by the Clark County History Buffs
and supported by your generous donations.

Webmasters: Leon Konieczny, Tanya Paschke,

Janet & Stan Schwarze, James W. Sternitzky,

Crystal Wendt & Al Wessel

CLARK CO. WI HISTORY HOME PAGE