Father: William McKendree Clark (1805-1885)
Mother: Lydia Carmichael (1808-1884)
He was born in what was called Park County, Ohio. On February 2, 1953 he married Elizabeth Carolina Harshbarger. After her death he married Della M. Edwards on May 2, 1892. During the Civil War he served with Co F 86 IL Inf.
His Children are: Wilbur Hayden, Joel McKendry, Lydia Louella "Lou" Kirkhuff, Emory Judson, William Sherman, Jennie Glissen, Raymond Hunter, May Kirkhuff, Arthur Wilson, Charles Morton, Amon Simpson and his twin Olin Harshbarger (who died as small child), Lowell Mason, Freddie (died as infant), John Wesley, and Neil Warren.
∼(NOTE: Asbury Clark probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Asbury, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were most often printed in the form of what was called a CDV, a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Asbury Clark survived the war and lived late into the 19th century. During his life, Asbury probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of that CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some more pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Corporal ASBURY CLARK, Co. F, 86th Illinois
Asbury Clark was born on September 23, 1831 in Parke County, Indiana, the son of the Rev. William McKendree Clark (1805-1885) and Lydia (Carmichael) Clark (1808-1884). William McKendree Clark was born on July 26, 1805 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. William M. Clark was married to Lyda (Lydia) Carmichael in Cook County, Indiana on September 3, 1826. Thirteen children are believed to have been born to William and Lydia, five of whom died in infancy. Three of his sons became Methodist Episcopal preachers. His children include;
1. Asbury Clark, born September 23, 1831 in Parke County, Indiana.
2. John Clark, born c. 1835/36 in Indiana.
3. William E. Clark, born c. 1837/38/39 in Illinois.
4. Newton G. Clark, born c. 1840 in Warren County, Illinois.
5. Thomas Clark, born c. 1846/47 in Illinois.
6. Sarah J. Clark, born c. 1849/50 in Illinois, most likely in Knox County, Illinois.
William M. Clark was converted in 1826 and received on trail in the Indiana Conference in 1833. William was ordained Elder by Bishop R. R. Roberts at Lafayette, Indiana on October 21, 1835. His first circuit was large, having twenty - eight appointments, requiring 460 miles travel in four weeks. In 1836, Rev. William M. Clark moved his growing family to Illinois, joining the Illinois Conference in 1838. When the Conference was divided in 1844 his lot fell in the R. R. Conference, and when the R. R. Conference was divided in 1856 he became a member of the Central Illinois Conference, of which he was a member at the time of his death.
At the time of the 1850 census, the Clarks are found in Knox county, Illinois;
William Clark M 44 Kentucky
Lydia Clark F 42 North Carolina
Asberry Clark M 18 Indiana
John Clark M 14 Indiana
William Clark M 11 Illinois
Newton Clark M 9 Illinois
Thomas Clark M 3 Illinois
Sarah Concer F 23 Pennsylvania
At the time of the 1860 census, the Clarks are found in Haw Creek Township, Knox County, Illinois;
William Clark M 54 Kentucky
Lyddia Clark F 52 North Carolina
Thomas Clark M 12 Illinois
Sarah J Clark F 10 Illinois
Newton G Clark M 19 Illinois
Anna Clark F 19 Illinois
William E Clark M 23 Illinois
William McKendree Clark died at his home in Abingdon, Illinois on January 18, 1885 at the age of 80. William was a professor of religion for some 64 years and a Methodist preacher for 59 years.
Now to continue with the biography of Asbury Clark;
Asbury Clark was married on February 2, 1854 to Elizabeth Carolina Harshbarger in Knox County, Illinois. Elizabeth was born on November 6, 1837 in Highland County, Ohio, the daughter of Joel Harshbarger (1810-18_?) and Rachel (Hayden) Harshbarger McClain.
Sixteen children are believed to have been born to Asbury and Elizabeth, including;
1. Wilbur Hayden Clark, born c. 1853/54 in Illinois.
2. Joel McKendee Clark, born c. 1856/57 in Illinois. In the 1890's Joel is found in California.
3. Lydia Louella "Lou" Clark, born ___________ __, 1859 in Illinois. Lydia was married to ___________ Kirkhuff. Lydia died on ___________ __, 1910.
4. Emory Judson Clark, born c. January __, 1861 in Kansas. Judson was married to Laura F. __________ c. 1887/88. At the time of the 1900 census, Judson and his family are found in Grant Township, Nickerson city Ward 1-3, Reno County, Kansas;
E Judson Clark Head M 39 Kansas
Laura F Clark Wife F 36 Illinois
Leo F Clark Son M 9 Kansas
Olin J Clark Son M 5 Kansas
5. William Sherman Clark, born ___________ __, 1863 in Illinois. William died on ___________ __, 1944.
6. Jennie Glissen Clark, born ___________ __, 1866 in Illinois. Jennie died on ____________ __, 1885.
7. Raymond Hunter Clark, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
8. May Clark, born ___________ __, 1870 in Missouri. May was married to ___________ Kirkhuff. May died on ___________ __, 1942.
9. Arthur Wilson Clark, born c. 1871/72 in Missouri.
10. Charles Morton Clark, born ___________ __, 1874 in Kansas. Charles died on ___________ __, 1929.
11. (twin) Amon Simpson Clark, born ___________ __, 1876 in Kansas. Amon died on ___________ __, 1927.
12. (twin) Olin Harshbarger Clark, born on ___________ __,
1876. Olin died on ___________ __, 1877.
13. Lowell Mason Clark, born c. 1879/80 in Kansas.
14, Freddie Clark, born on ___________ __, 1878. Freddie died on ___________ __, 1878.
15. John Wesley Clark, born April 12, 1881. John died on September 19, 1881 and his mortal remains were laid in the Wildmead Cemetery in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas.
16. Neil Warren Clark, born ___________ __, 1882 in Kansas. Neil was married to Emelyn ___________. At the time of the 1930 census, Neil and his family are found in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California;
Neil Clark Head M 47 Kansas
Emelyn Clark Wife F 42 Utah
Lelland Clark Son M 20 Utah
Edyth Clark Daughter F 19 California
Helen Clark Daughter F 8 California
Dorothy Clark Daughter F 4 California
Leo Climax Roomer M 28 Ohio
Neil Warren Clark died on _____________ __, 1949.
Now to continue with the biography of Asbury Clark;
Asbury followed in his father's footsteps and became a Minister of the Gospel in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1857, Asbury and Elizabeth moved their growing family to Kansas, locating in Tecumseh, Shawnee County. In the spring of 1858, Asbury joined the Kansas and Nebraska Conference, and they moved on to Nemaha County, Nebraska, preaching there until the spring of 1860. In 1860, Asbury and Elizabeth moved the family to Colorado, locating at Gregory Diggings, and engaged in preaching there. In the fall they returned to Kansas. While on his way back, Asbury met a pony express rider on a full run, who called out as he passed, "Lincoln is elected, Lincoln is elected!" In the spring of 1861, the Clark's located in what is now Jewell County, Kansas, but the Indians were so bad that he had to abandon his claim, which is the present site of Jewell City. Asbury and his family then returned to Knox County, Illinois, where they took up residence in or near Maquon, Illinois.
On July 31, 1862, Asbury's younger brother, Newton G. Clark, volunteered at Maquon, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in Maquon, Illinois by a local Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burhalter. Two days later, on August 2, 1862, Asbury volunteered to serve in this same company beside his brother and many friends, who had also already volunteered.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name CLARK, ASBURY Rank PVT
Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL
Age 30 Height 6' Hair BROWN
Eyes BLUE Complexion FAIR
Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER Nativity PARK CO, IN
Service Record
Joined When AUG 2, 1862
Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER
Period 3 YRS Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom ___________
Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC
Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGGS
Remarks PROMOTED CORPORAL JUL 1, 1864
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, Illinois, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. There on August 27, 1862, Burkhalter was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers, including now Privates Asbury Clark and Newton G. Clark, were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the dopot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, located in Jeffersonville, Indiana across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederate Army withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp.
Even before the men had left the Louisville, Kentucky area on their way to Perryville, the green troops were having great difficulty with their health, as their new way of life and diet were not conducive to good health. Many men were left behind sick in the hospital when McCook's Brigade left the Louisville area. Still others were left behind sick in Bowling Green, Kentucky and in Gallatin, Tennessee as the men of McCook's Brigade marched toward Nashville, after the Battle of Perryville. One of those men who is believed to have been left behind sick in Gallatin, Tennessee was Private Newton G. Clark.
Whatever his ailment, nothing the doctors did seemed to help Private Newton G. Clark's condition. Finally the doctors decided that the best thing that they could do for Newton was to discharge him from the service and send him home, with the hope that with the help of family and some home cooking he could regain his health. So on February 12, 1863, Private Newton G. Clark was discharged from the service and sent home. With the help of family and that home cooking, Newton G. Clark did survive his ailment and went on to live a long and productive life.
When the men of the 86th left the Gallatin, Tennessee area on their way to Nashville, Private Asbury Clark most likely went on with the 86th, leaving his brother behind with his prayers. During the next two and a half years, the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina and Asbury Clark was there to see all of it. During this time, Asbury Clark was a witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina to name a few and marched with Sherman to the Sea.
During the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, the men of McCook's Brigade suffered more than 100 casualties in less than 30 minutes during the assault on Cheatham Hill. Asbury's Company F had three men Killed in Action and three more wounded and captured as they climbed the Confederate breastworks. One of those killed in action was Sergeant John A. Freemole. On July 1, 1864, while the men still laid in the trenches on Cheatham Hill, just yards from the Confederate breastworks, the men of Co. F elected Corporal Benjamin F. Scott to fill the vacancy with the death of Sergeant Freemole and Private Asbury Clark was elected to fill the vacant Corporal position, as a sign of his military bearing and dedication to the service, with the promotion of Corporal Scott. Asbury Clark served as a Corporal in Co. F for the remainder of the war.
After the war came to an end, the surviving members of the 86th Illinois & McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) where they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. They were mustered out of the service on June 6, 1865 in Washington and were soon on a train bound for Chicago. There they received their final pay and were discharged and by the end of June of 1864 the surviving members of Co F were back home with their families in Knox County.
At the time of the 1870 census, the Clarks are found in Jasper County, Missouri;
Asth* Clark M 39 Indiana
Elizabeth Clark F 32 Ohio
Wilbur H Clark M 16 Illinois
Jay Mc Clark M 14 Illinois
Lydia L Clark F 11 Kansas
Emery J Clark M 9 Kansas
William J Clark M 7 Illinois
Jennie G Clark F 4 Illinois
Raymond H Clark M 2 Illinois
May Clark F 0 Missouri
At the time of the 1880 census, Asbury and his family are found in Grant, Reno County, Kansas, where he is listed as a farmer;
Asbury Clark Self M 48 Indiana
Elizebeth Clark Wife F 42 Ohio
Louella Clark Daughter F 21 Illinois
E Jodron Clark Son M 19 Kansas
William Clark Son M 17 Illinois
Ramond Clark Son M 12 Illinois
Mary Clark Daughter F 10 Missouri
Lowel Clark Son M 0 Kansas
Charles Clark Son M 6 Kansas
Arron Clark Son M 4 Kansas
Arthur Clark Son M 8 Missouri
Jennie Clark Daughter F 14 Illinois
Wilber Clark Son M 26 Illinois
The following biography is found in Cutler's History, Reno County, part 10, that was published in 1883;
"REV. A. CLARK, farmer and sheep raiser, P. O. Nickerson, owns 160 acres under cultivation, 4 acres of bearing orchard and 5 acres cultivated timber, has a dwelling 16x24, L 14x18, one and a half stories high, barn and stable, combined 28x32 feet, with hen houses, implement house, and all necessary outbuildings, sheds and yards for sheep and has at present over 600 sheep. Makes sheep raising a specialty. He also owns eighty acres in Salt Creek Township. He was born in Parke County, Ind., in 1831, and in 1836 his parents moved to Illinois. In 1857, he moved to Kansas, and located in Tecumseh, Shawnee County, and in the spring of 1858, joined the Kansas and Nebraska Conference, and located in Nemaha County, and preached there until the spring of 1860. When he went to Colorado, locating at Gregory Diggings, and engaged in preaching there. In the fall he returned to Kansas; while on his way back he met the pony express on a full run, which called out as he passed, "Lincoln is elected, Lincoln is elected." In the spring of 1861, he located in what is now Jewell County, but the Indians were so bad that he had to abandon his claim, which is the present site of Jewell City. He returned to Illinois, and August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Eighty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and with his command participated in the campaign from Louisville, Ky., to Atlanta. In the march to the sea, and through the Carolinas, and after the surrender of Joe Johnston marched to Washington, D. C., and was in the grand review. He was mustard out in Chicago, June 22, 1865. After the war he located in Knox County, Ill., until 1868, when he went to Jasper County, Mo., and went from there to Kansas in 1875, and located here. He married, in 1853, Miss Elizabeth C. Harshbarger, a native of Ohio. They have a very interesting family of thirteen children - Wilbur H., Joel M. C.; Luella L., E. Judson, William Sherman, Jennie G., Raymond H., May, Arthur W., Charles M., Amous, Lowell M. and Neal. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the G. A. R. of which he is chaplain, and has occupied the position of Clerk of the School Board."
In 1887, some of the surviving members of the 86th Illinois organized and held a reunion of the old 86th in Peoria, Illinois on August 27, 1887, the 25th Anniversary of their being mustered into the service back in 1862. The reunion was such a success, being attended by more than 125 surviving members of the regiment, that they continued to be held every year on or as close to that August 27th anniversary as possible, through 1923, when it was tearfully decided that that would be their last reunion. It was most likely the great distance to travel and his work that prevented Corporal Asbury Clark from attending any of there reunions before his death in 1894. However, his brother, Newton G. Clark, attended the reunions of 1907, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914, serving as Commander of the Association for one year. However, Asbury Clark was very active in his local G.A.R. Post, the Reno Post No. 83, of Hutchinson, Kansas. For a number of years, Asbury was nominated to the the main representative of the post at the funerals of local Union soldiers, sailors and marines who died in the area.
Elizabeth Caroline (Harshbarger) Clark died on August 19, 1891 in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas and her mortal remains were laid in the Wildmead Cemetery in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas.
After her death Asbury was married to Della M. Edwards on May 2, 1892.
The Wednesday, February 14, 1894 edition of The Hutchinson Daily News, of Hutchinson, KS carried the following notice on Page 5, Column 4:
"Nickerson Notes
Conductor Joel Clark of Herington is visiting his father, Asbury Clark, who
is in very poor health."
Asbury Clark died two months later on Apr. 15, 1894 in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the Wildmead Cemetery beside those of his beloved, Elizabeth. The Thursday, April 19, 1894 edition of The Nickerson Argosy, of Nickerson, KS had the following on Page 4, column 4;
"Died, Sunday, April 15th, at 4:30 p.m., Rev. Asbury Clark of Grant township, of cancer of the stomach, in his 63d year. The funeral services were held at the M. E. church, Monday at 4 p.m., Rev. S. Brink, of Abbyville, delivering the funeral discourse. There was a very large attendance of friends and neighbors. The remains were laid away in Wildmead cemetery beside his wife and four children who preceeded him to a better world. The funeral was conducted by Reno Post of which he was an honored member, being a Past Post Commander, and also Chaplain for many years. The attendance of old soldiers at the funeral was quite large. Comrade Clark being a Methodist minister and taking an active interest in public affairs was well known all over the county and the attendance at his funeral was an index of the esteem in which he was held by the community in which he had lived so long. His crowning glory was loyalty to his country and her laws, to his family and Maker. He leaves a large family most of whom are grown and doing for themselves, while a few of the younger ones will miss a father’s care. They will be cared for by the older brothers and sisters.
____
The Saturday, April 21, 1894 edition of the Weekly Interior Herald, of Hutchinson, KS had the following notice on Page 1, Column 6;
"Rev. A. Clark, Dead.
Rev. Asbury Clark, of Nickerson, died on Sunday, April 15, 1894, after a long illness. The notice we received of his death stated that he was in his sixty-third year, was a member of the grand army post of Nickerson, and the funeral was at the Methodist church on Monday afternoon, Rev. S. Brink preaching the sermon. We have known Mr. Clark for a long time and always found him to be a square, honest man. He will be missed among all who knew him."
____
The Thursday, April 26, 1894 edition of The Western Methodist, of Wichita, KS had the following notice on Page 5, Column 1;
"OBITUARIES.
CLARK—Rev. Asbury Clark was born in Park county, Indiana, Sept. 25, 1831; died at Nickerson, Kansas, April 15, 1894; aged 62 years, 6 months, and 20 days. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Harshbarger in 1853. To them were born sixteen children, thirteen boys and three girls. Three of the boys died in infancy. One of the girls, Jennie, died aged 19. Sister Clark died in August 1891.
Bro. Clark gave his heart to God in his youth. In the spring of 1858 he united with the Kansas and Nebraska conference. Part of the year 1860 he was a missionary in California, returning to Kansas before the spring of 61, only to be driven out by the Indians. In 1862 he moved back to Illinois, and in August, 1862 he enlisted in Co. F. 86 Regt. Ill. Vo. Inft., and served his country faithfully until mustered out June 22, 1865. He moved to Jasper county, Missouri, in 1868. In 1875 he moved to Nickerson, Kansas, where he resided until death called him to his unchangeable home in glory. Two of his sons are ministers in the M. E. church. W. H. Clark is a member of the Central Illinois conference, and Jay is in California, not in the effective work on account of throat trouble. All of his children are in the church but the two younger ones. Bro. Clark was a true man to God, to the church, and his country. Glory be to God, he is safe at home with the best. S. BRINK. ABBYVILLE, KANS., April 17, 1894
The Friday, May 18, 1894 edition of the The Hutchinson Daily News, of Hutchinson, KS carried to following obituary on Page 7, Column 3;
"On the recommendation of Reno Post No. 83, of Nickerson. W. F. Hendry was
appointed to attend to the burial of ex-union soldiers, sailors and marines,
to fill vacancy caused by the death of Asbury Clark."
by Baxter B. Fite III and Rebecca Head, a great great granddaughter of Corporal Asbury Clark's.
Mother: Lydia Carmichael (1808-1884)
He was born in what was called Park County, Ohio. On February 2, 1953 he married Elizabeth Carolina Harshbarger. After her death he married Della M. Edwards on May 2, 1892. During the Civil War he served with Co F 86 IL Inf.
His Children are: Wilbur Hayden, Joel McKendry, Lydia Louella "Lou" Kirkhuff, Emory Judson, William Sherman, Jennie Glissen, Raymond Hunter, May Kirkhuff, Arthur Wilson, Charles Morton, Amon Simpson and his twin Olin Harshbarger (who died as small child), Lowell Mason, Freddie (died as infant), John Wesley, and Neil Warren.
∼(NOTE: Asbury Clark probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Asbury, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were most often printed in the form of what was called a CDV, a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Asbury Clark survived the war and lived late into the 19th century. During his life, Asbury probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of that CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some more pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Corporal ASBURY CLARK, Co. F, 86th Illinois
Asbury Clark was born on September 23, 1831 in Parke County, Indiana, the son of the Rev. William McKendree Clark (1805-1885) and Lydia (Carmichael) Clark (1808-1884). William McKendree Clark was born on July 26, 1805 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. William M. Clark was married to Lyda (Lydia) Carmichael in Cook County, Indiana on September 3, 1826. Thirteen children are believed to have been born to William and Lydia, five of whom died in infancy. Three of his sons became Methodist Episcopal preachers. His children include;
1. Asbury Clark, born September 23, 1831 in Parke County, Indiana.
2. John Clark, born c. 1835/36 in Indiana.
3. William E. Clark, born c. 1837/38/39 in Illinois.
4. Newton G. Clark, born c. 1840 in Warren County, Illinois.
5. Thomas Clark, born c. 1846/47 in Illinois.
6. Sarah J. Clark, born c. 1849/50 in Illinois, most likely in Knox County, Illinois.
William M. Clark was converted in 1826 and received on trail in the Indiana Conference in 1833. William was ordained Elder by Bishop R. R. Roberts at Lafayette, Indiana on October 21, 1835. His first circuit was large, having twenty - eight appointments, requiring 460 miles travel in four weeks. In 1836, Rev. William M. Clark moved his growing family to Illinois, joining the Illinois Conference in 1838. When the Conference was divided in 1844 his lot fell in the R. R. Conference, and when the R. R. Conference was divided in 1856 he became a member of the Central Illinois Conference, of which he was a member at the time of his death.
At the time of the 1850 census, the Clarks are found in Knox county, Illinois;
William Clark M 44 Kentucky
Lydia Clark F 42 North Carolina
Asberry Clark M 18 Indiana
John Clark M 14 Indiana
William Clark M 11 Illinois
Newton Clark M 9 Illinois
Thomas Clark M 3 Illinois
Sarah Concer F 23 Pennsylvania
At the time of the 1860 census, the Clarks are found in Haw Creek Township, Knox County, Illinois;
William Clark M 54 Kentucky
Lyddia Clark F 52 North Carolina
Thomas Clark M 12 Illinois
Sarah J Clark F 10 Illinois
Newton G Clark M 19 Illinois
Anna Clark F 19 Illinois
William E Clark M 23 Illinois
William McKendree Clark died at his home in Abingdon, Illinois on January 18, 1885 at the age of 80. William was a professor of religion for some 64 years and a Methodist preacher for 59 years.
Now to continue with the biography of Asbury Clark;
Asbury Clark was married on February 2, 1854 to Elizabeth Carolina Harshbarger in Knox County, Illinois. Elizabeth was born on November 6, 1837 in Highland County, Ohio, the daughter of Joel Harshbarger (1810-18_?) and Rachel (Hayden) Harshbarger McClain.
Sixteen children are believed to have been born to Asbury and Elizabeth, including;
1. Wilbur Hayden Clark, born c. 1853/54 in Illinois.
2. Joel McKendee Clark, born c. 1856/57 in Illinois. In the 1890's Joel is found in California.
3. Lydia Louella "Lou" Clark, born ___________ __, 1859 in Illinois. Lydia was married to ___________ Kirkhuff. Lydia died on ___________ __, 1910.
4. Emory Judson Clark, born c. January __, 1861 in Kansas. Judson was married to Laura F. __________ c. 1887/88. At the time of the 1900 census, Judson and his family are found in Grant Township, Nickerson city Ward 1-3, Reno County, Kansas;
E Judson Clark Head M 39 Kansas
Laura F Clark Wife F 36 Illinois
Leo F Clark Son M 9 Kansas
Olin J Clark Son M 5 Kansas
5. William Sherman Clark, born ___________ __, 1863 in Illinois. William died on ___________ __, 1944.
6. Jennie Glissen Clark, born ___________ __, 1866 in Illinois. Jennie died on ____________ __, 1885.
7. Raymond Hunter Clark, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
8. May Clark, born ___________ __, 1870 in Missouri. May was married to ___________ Kirkhuff. May died on ___________ __, 1942.
9. Arthur Wilson Clark, born c. 1871/72 in Missouri.
10. Charles Morton Clark, born ___________ __, 1874 in Kansas. Charles died on ___________ __, 1929.
11. (twin) Amon Simpson Clark, born ___________ __, 1876 in Kansas. Amon died on ___________ __, 1927.
12. (twin) Olin Harshbarger Clark, born on ___________ __,
1876. Olin died on ___________ __, 1877.
13. Lowell Mason Clark, born c. 1879/80 in Kansas.
14, Freddie Clark, born on ___________ __, 1878. Freddie died on ___________ __, 1878.
15. John Wesley Clark, born April 12, 1881. John died on September 19, 1881 and his mortal remains were laid in the Wildmead Cemetery in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas.
16. Neil Warren Clark, born ___________ __, 1882 in Kansas. Neil was married to Emelyn ___________. At the time of the 1930 census, Neil and his family are found in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California;
Neil Clark Head M 47 Kansas
Emelyn Clark Wife F 42 Utah
Lelland Clark Son M 20 Utah
Edyth Clark Daughter F 19 California
Helen Clark Daughter F 8 California
Dorothy Clark Daughter F 4 California
Leo Climax Roomer M 28 Ohio
Neil Warren Clark died on _____________ __, 1949.
Now to continue with the biography of Asbury Clark;
Asbury followed in his father's footsteps and became a Minister of the Gospel in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1857, Asbury and Elizabeth moved their growing family to Kansas, locating in Tecumseh, Shawnee County. In the spring of 1858, Asbury joined the Kansas and Nebraska Conference, and they moved on to Nemaha County, Nebraska, preaching there until the spring of 1860. In 1860, Asbury and Elizabeth moved the family to Colorado, locating at Gregory Diggings, and engaged in preaching there. In the fall they returned to Kansas. While on his way back, Asbury met a pony express rider on a full run, who called out as he passed, "Lincoln is elected, Lincoln is elected!" In the spring of 1861, the Clark's located in what is now Jewell County, Kansas, but the Indians were so bad that he had to abandon his claim, which is the present site of Jewell City. Asbury and his family then returned to Knox County, Illinois, where they took up residence in or near Maquon, Illinois.
On July 31, 1862, Asbury's younger brother, Newton G. Clark, volunteered at Maquon, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in Maquon, Illinois by a local Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burhalter. Two days later, on August 2, 1862, Asbury volunteered to serve in this same company beside his brother and many friends, who had also already volunteered.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name CLARK, ASBURY Rank PVT
Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL
Age 30 Height 6' Hair BROWN
Eyes BLUE Complexion FAIR
Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER Nativity PARK CO, IN
Service Record
Joined When AUG 2, 1862
Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER
Period 3 YRS Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom ___________
Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC
Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGGS
Remarks PROMOTED CORPORAL JUL 1, 1864
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, Illinois, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. There on August 27, 1862, Burkhalter was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers, including now Privates Asbury Clark and Newton G. Clark, were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the dopot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, located in Jeffersonville, Indiana across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederate Army withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp.
Even before the men had left the Louisville, Kentucky area on their way to Perryville, the green troops were having great difficulty with their health, as their new way of life and diet were not conducive to good health. Many men were left behind sick in the hospital when McCook's Brigade left the Louisville area. Still others were left behind sick in Bowling Green, Kentucky and in Gallatin, Tennessee as the men of McCook's Brigade marched toward Nashville, after the Battle of Perryville. One of those men who is believed to have been left behind sick in Gallatin, Tennessee was Private Newton G. Clark.
Whatever his ailment, nothing the doctors did seemed to help Private Newton G. Clark's condition. Finally the doctors decided that the best thing that they could do for Newton was to discharge him from the service and send him home, with the hope that with the help of family and some home cooking he could regain his health. So on February 12, 1863, Private Newton G. Clark was discharged from the service and sent home. With the help of family and that home cooking, Newton G. Clark did survive his ailment and went on to live a long and productive life.
When the men of the 86th left the Gallatin, Tennessee area on their way to Nashville, Private Asbury Clark most likely went on with the 86th, leaving his brother behind with his prayers. During the next two and a half years, the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina and Asbury Clark was there to see all of it. During this time, Asbury Clark was a witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina to name a few and marched with Sherman to the Sea.
During the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, the men of McCook's Brigade suffered more than 100 casualties in less than 30 minutes during the assault on Cheatham Hill. Asbury's Company F had three men Killed in Action and three more wounded and captured as they climbed the Confederate breastworks. One of those killed in action was Sergeant John A. Freemole. On July 1, 1864, while the men still laid in the trenches on Cheatham Hill, just yards from the Confederate breastworks, the men of Co. F elected Corporal Benjamin F. Scott to fill the vacancy with the death of Sergeant Freemole and Private Asbury Clark was elected to fill the vacant Corporal position, as a sign of his military bearing and dedication to the service, with the promotion of Corporal Scott. Asbury Clark served as a Corporal in Co. F for the remainder of the war.
After the war came to an end, the surviving members of the 86th Illinois & McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) where they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. They were mustered out of the service on June 6, 1865 in Washington and were soon on a train bound for Chicago. There they received their final pay and were discharged and by the end of June of 1864 the surviving members of Co F were back home with their families in Knox County.
At the time of the 1870 census, the Clarks are found in Jasper County, Missouri;
Asth* Clark M 39 Indiana
Elizabeth Clark F 32 Ohio
Wilbur H Clark M 16 Illinois
Jay Mc Clark M 14 Illinois
Lydia L Clark F 11 Kansas
Emery J Clark M 9 Kansas
William J Clark M 7 Illinois
Jennie G Clark F 4 Illinois
Raymond H Clark M 2 Illinois
May Clark F 0 Missouri
At the time of the 1880 census, Asbury and his family are found in Grant, Reno County, Kansas, where he is listed as a farmer;
Asbury Clark Self M 48 Indiana
Elizebeth Clark Wife F 42 Ohio
Louella Clark Daughter F 21 Illinois
E Jodron Clark Son M 19 Kansas
William Clark Son M 17 Illinois
Ramond Clark Son M 12 Illinois
Mary Clark Daughter F 10 Missouri
Lowel Clark Son M 0 Kansas
Charles Clark Son M 6 Kansas
Arron Clark Son M 4 Kansas
Arthur Clark Son M 8 Missouri
Jennie Clark Daughter F 14 Illinois
Wilber Clark Son M 26 Illinois
The following biography is found in Cutler's History, Reno County, part 10, that was published in 1883;
"REV. A. CLARK, farmer and sheep raiser, P. O. Nickerson, owns 160 acres under cultivation, 4 acres of bearing orchard and 5 acres cultivated timber, has a dwelling 16x24, L 14x18, one and a half stories high, barn and stable, combined 28x32 feet, with hen houses, implement house, and all necessary outbuildings, sheds and yards for sheep and has at present over 600 sheep. Makes sheep raising a specialty. He also owns eighty acres in Salt Creek Township. He was born in Parke County, Ind., in 1831, and in 1836 his parents moved to Illinois. In 1857, he moved to Kansas, and located in Tecumseh, Shawnee County, and in the spring of 1858, joined the Kansas and Nebraska Conference, and located in Nemaha County, and preached there until the spring of 1860. When he went to Colorado, locating at Gregory Diggings, and engaged in preaching there. In the fall he returned to Kansas; while on his way back he met the pony express on a full run, which called out as he passed, "Lincoln is elected, Lincoln is elected." In the spring of 1861, he located in what is now Jewell County, but the Indians were so bad that he had to abandon his claim, which is the present site of Jewell City. He returned to Illinois, and August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Eighty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and with his command participated in the campaign from Louisville, Ky., to Atlanta. In the march to the sea, and through the Carolinas, and after the surrender of Joe Johnston marched to Washington, D. C., and was in the grand review. He was mustard out in Chicago, June 22, 1865. After the war he located in Knox County, Ill., until 1868, when he went to Jasper County, Mo., and went from there to Kansas in 1875, and located here. He married, in 1853, Miss Elizabeth C. Harshbarger, a native of Ohio. They have a very interesting family of thirteen children - Wilbur H., Joel M. C.; Luella L., E. Judson, William Sherman, Jennie G., Raymond H., May, Arthur W., Charles M., Amous, Lowell M. and Neal. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the G. A. R. of which he is chaplain, and has occupied the position of Clerk of the School Board."
In 1887, some of the surviving members of the 86th Illinois organized and held a reunion of the old 86th in Peoria, Illinois on August 27, 1887, the 25th Anniversary of their being mustered into the service back in 1862. The reunion was such a success, being attended by more than 125 surviving members of the regiment, that they continued to be held every year on or as close to that August 27th anniversary as possible, through 1923, when it was tearfully decided that that would be their last reunion. It was most likely the great distance to travel and his work that prevented Corporal Asbury Clark from attending any of there reunions before his death in 1894. However, his brother, Newton G. Clark, attended the reunions of 1907, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914, serving as Commander of the Association for one year. However, Asbury Clark was very active in his local G.A.R. Post, the Reno Post No. 83, of Hutchinson, Kansas. For a number of years, Asbury was nominated to the the main representative of the post at the funerals of local Union soldiers, sailors and marines who died in the area.
Elizabeth Caroline (Harshbarger) Clark died on August 19, 1891 in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas and her mortal remains were laid in the Wildmead Cemetery in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas.
After her death Asbury was married to Della M. Edwards on May 2, 1892.
The Wednesday, February 14, 1894 edition of The Hutchinson Daily News, of Hutchinson, KS carried the following notice on Page 5, Column 4:
"Nickerson Notes
Conductor Joel Clark of Herington is visiting his father, Asbury Clark, who
is in very poor health."
Asbury Clark died two months later on Apr. 15, 1894 in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the Wildmead Cemetery beside those of his beloved, Elizabeth. The Thursday, April 19, 1894 edition of The Nickerson Argosy, of Nickerson, KS had the following on Page 4, column 4;
"Died, Sunday, April 15th, at 4:30 p.m., Rev. Asbury Clark of Grant township, of cancer of the stomach, in his 63d year. The funeral services were held at the M. E. church, Monday at 4 p.m., Rev. S. Brink, of Abbyville, delivering the funeral discourse. There was a very large attendance of friends and neighbors. The remains were laid away in Wildmead cemetery beside his wife and four children who preceeded him to a better world. The funeral was conducted by Reno Post of which he was an honored member, being a Past Post Commander, and also Chaplain for many years. The attendance of old soldiers at the funeral was quite large. Comrade Clark being a Methodist minister and taking an active interest in public affairs was well known all over the county and the attendance at his funeral was an index of the esteem in which he was held by the community in which he had lived so long. His crowning glory was loyalty to his country and her laws, to his family and Maker. He leaves a large family most of whom are grown and doing for themselves, while a few of the younger ones will miss a father’s care. They will be cared for by the older brothers and sisters.
____
The Saturday, April 21, 1894 edition of the Weekly Interior Herald, of Hutchinson, KS had the following notice on Page 1, Column 6;
"Rev. A. Clark, Dead.
Rev. Asbury Clark, of Nickerson, died on Sunday, April 15, 1894, after a long illness. The notice we received of his death stated that he was in his sixty-third year, was a member of the grand army post of Nickerson, and the funeral was at the Methodist church on Monday afternoon, Rev. S. Brink preaching the sermon. We have known Mr. Clark for a long time and always found him to be a square, honest man. He will be missed among all who knew him."
____
The Thursday, April 26, 1894 edition of The Western Methodist, of Wichita, KS had the following notice on Page 5, Column 1;
"OBITUARIES.
CLARK—Rev. Asbury Clark was born in Park county, Indiana, Sept. 25, 1831; died at Nickerson, Kansas, April 15, 1894; aged 62 years, 6 months, and 20 days. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Harshbarger in 1853. To them were born sixteen children, thirteen boys and three girls. Three of the boys died in infancy. One of the girls, Jennie, died aged 19. Sister Clark died in August 1891.
Bro. Clark gave his heart to God in his youth. In the spring of 1858 he united with the Kansas and Nebraska conference. Part of the year 1860 he was a missionary in California, returning to Kansas before the spring of 61, only to be driven out by the Indians. In 1862 he moved back to Illinois, and in August, 1862 he enlisted in Co. F. 86 Regt. Ill. Vo. Inft., and served his country faithfully until mustered out June 22, 1865. He moved to Jasper county, Missouri, in 1868. In 1875 he moved to Nickerson, Kansas, where he resided until death called him to his unchangeable home in glory. Two of his sons are ministers in the M. E. church. W. H. Clark is a member of the Central Illinois conference, and Jay is in California, not in the effective work on account of throat trouble. All of his children are in the church but the two younger ones. Bro. Clark was a true man to God, to the church, and his country. Glory be to God, he is safe at home with the best. S. BRINK. ABBYVILLE, KANS., April 17, 1894
The Friday, May 18, 1894 edition of the The Hutchinson Daily News, of Hutchinson, KS carried to following obituary on Page 7, Column 3;
"On the recommendation of Reno Post No. 83, of Nickerson. W. F. Hendry was
appointed to attend to the burial of ex-union soldiers, sailors and marines,
to fill vacancy caused by the death of Asbury Clark."
by Baxter B. Fite III and Rebecca Head, a great great granddaughter of Corporal Asbury Clark's.
Father: William McKendree Clark (1805-1885)
Mother: Lydia Carmichael (1808-1884)
He was born in what was called Park County, Ohio. On February 2, 1953 he married Elizabeth Carolina Harshbarger. After her death he married Della M. Edwards on May 2, 1892. During the Civil War he served with Co F 86 IL Inf.
His Children are: Wilbur Hayden, Joel McKendry, Lydia Louella "Lou" Kirkhuff, Emory Judson, William Sherman, Jennie Glissen, Raymond Hunter, May Kirkhuff, Arthur Wilson, Charles Morton, Amon Simpson and his twin Olin Harshbarger (who died as small child), Lowell Mason, Freddie (died as infant), John Wesley, and Neil Warren.
∼(NOTE: Asbury Clark probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Asbury, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were most often printed in the form of what was called a CDV, a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Asbury Clark survived the war and lived late into the 19th century. During his life, Asbury probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of that CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some more pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Corporal ASBURY CLARK, Co. F, 86th Illinois
Asbury Clark was born on September 23, 1831 in Parke County, Indiana, the son of the Rev. William McKendree Clark (1805-1885) and Lydia (Carmichael) Clark (1808-1884). William McKendree Clark was born on July 26, 1805 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. William M. Clark was married to Lyda (Lydia) Carmichael in Cook County, Indiana on September 3, 1826. Thirteen children are believed to have been born to William and Lydia, five of whom died in infancy. Three of his sons became Methodist Episcopal preachers. His children include;
1. Asbury Clark, born September 23, 1831 in Parke County, Indiana.
2. John Clark, born c. 1835/36 in Indiana.
3. William E. Clark, born c. 1837/38/39 in Illinois.
4. Newton G. Clark, born c. 1840 in Warren County, Illinois.
5. Thomas Clark, born c. 1846/47 in Illinois.
6. Sarah J. Clark, born c. 1849/50 in Illinois, most likely in Knox County, Illinois.
William M. Clark was converted in 1826 and received on trail in the Indiana Conference in 1833. William was ordained Elder by Bishop R. R. Roberts at Lafayette, Indiana on October 21, 1835. His first circuit was large, having twenty - eight appointments, requiring 460 miles travel in four weeks. In 1836, Rev. William M. Clark moved his growing family to Illinois, joining the Illinois Conference in 1838. When the Conference was divided in 1844 his lot fell in the R. R. Conference, and when the R. R. Conference was divided in 1856 he became a member of the Central Illinois Conference, of which he was a member at the time of his death.
At the time of the 1850 census, the Clarks are found in Knox county, Illinois;
William Clark M 44 Kentucky
Lydia Clark F 42 North Carolina
Asberry Clark M 18 Indiana
John Clark M 14 Indiana
William Clark M 11 Illinois
Newton Clark M 9 Illinois
Thomas Clark M 3 Illinois
Sarah Concer F 23 Pennsylvania
At the time of the 1860 census, the Clarks are found in Haw Creek Township, Knox County, Illinois;
William Clark M 54 Kentucky
Lyddia Clark F 52 North Carolina
Thomas Clark M 12 Illinois
Sarah J Clark F 10 Illinois
Newton G Clark M 19 Illinois
Anna Clark F 19 Illinois
William E Clark M 23 Illinois
William McKendree Clark died at his home in Abingdon, Illinois on January 18, 1885 at the age of 80. William was a professor of religion for some 64 years and a Methodist preacher for 59 years.
Now to continue with the biography of Asbury Clark;
Asbury Clark was married on February 2, 1854 to Elizabeth Carolina Harshbarger in Knox County, Illinois. Elizabeth was born on November 6, 1837 in Highland County, Ohio, the daughter of Joel Harshbarger (1810-18_?) and Rachel (Hayden) Harshbarger McClain.
Sixteen children are believed to have been born to Asbury and Elizabeth, including;
1. Wilbur Hayden Clark, born c. 1853/54 in Illinois.
2. Joel McKendee Clark, born c. 1856/57 in Illinois. In the 1890's Joel is found in California.
3. Lydia Louella "Lou" Clark, born ___________ __, 1859 in Illinois. Lydia was married to ___________ Kirkhuff. Lydia died on ___________ __, 1910.
4. Emory Judson Clark, born c. January __, 1861 in Kansas. Judson was married to Laura F. __________ c. 1887/88. At the time of the 1900 census, Judson and his family are found in Grant Township, Nickerson city Ward 1-3, Reno County, Kansas;
E Judson Clark Head M 39 Kansas
Laura F Clark Wife F 36 Illinois
Leo F Clark Son M 9 Kansas
Olin J Clark Son M 5 Kansas
5. William Sherman Clark, born ___________ __, 1863 in Illinois. William died on ___________ __, 1944.
6. Jennie Glissen Clark, born ___________ __, 1866 in Illinois. Jennie died on ____________ __, 1885.
7. Raymond Hunter Clark, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
8. May Clark, born ___________ __, 1870 in Missouri. May was married to ___________ Kirkhuff. May died on ___________ __, 1942.
9. Arthur Wilson Clark, born c. 1871/72 in Missouri.
10. Charles Morton Clark, born ___________ __, 1874 in Kansas. Charles died on ___________ __, 1929.
11. (twin) Amon Simpson Clark, born ___________ __, 1876 in Kansas. Amon died on ___________ __, 1927.
12. (twin) Olin Harshbarger Clark, born on ___________ __,
1876. Olin died on ___________ __, 1877.
13. Lowell Mason Clark, born c. 1879/80 in Kansas.
14, Freddie Clark, born on ___________ __, 1878. Freddie died on ___________ __, 1878.
15. John Wesley Clark, born April 12, 1881. John died on September 19, 1881 and his mortal remains were laid in the Wildmead Cemetery in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas.
16. Neil Warren Clark, born ___________ __, 1882 in Kansas. Neil was married to Emelyn ___________. At the time of the 1930 census, Neil and his family are found in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California;
Neil Clark Head M 47 Kansas
Emelyn Clark Wife F 42 Utah
Lelland Clark Son M 20 Utah
Edyth Clark Daughter F 19 California
Helen Clark Daughter F 8 California
Dorothy Clark Daughter F 4 California
Leo Climax Roomer M 28 Ohio
Neil Warren Clark died on _____________ __, 1949.
Now to continue with the biography of Asbury Clark;
Asbury followed in his father's footsteps and became a Minister of the Gospel in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1857, Asbury and Elizabeth moved their growing family to Kansas, locating in Tecumseh, Shawnee County. In the spring of 1858, Asbury joined the Kansas and Nebraska Conference, and they moved on to Nemaha County, Nebraska, preaching there until the spring of 1860. In 1860, Asbury and Elizabeth moved the family to Colorado, locating at Gregory Diggings, and engaged in preaching there. In the fall they returned to Kansas. While on his way back, Asbury met a pony express rider on a full run, who called out as he passed, "Lincoln is elected, Lincoln is elected!" In the spring of 1861, the Clark's located in what is now Jewell County, Kansas, but the Indians were so bad that he had to abandon his claim, which is the present site of Jewell City. Asbury and his family then returned to Knox County, Illinois, where they took up residence in or near Maquon, Illinois.
On July 31, 1862, Asbury's younger brother, Newton G. Clark, volunteered at Maquon, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in Maquon, Illinois by a local Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burhalter. Two days later, on August 2, 1862, Asbury volunteered to serve in this same company beside his brother and many friends, who had also already volunteered.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name CLARK, ASBURY Rank PVT
Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL
Age 30 Height 6' Hair BROWN
Eyes BLUE Complexion FAIR
Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER Nativity PARK CO, IN
Service Record
Joined When AUG 2, 1862
Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER
Period 3 YRS Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom ___________
Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC
Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGGS
Remarks PROMOTED CORPORAL JUL 1, 1864
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, Illinois, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. There on August 27, 1862, Burkhalter was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers, including now Privates Asbury Clark and Newton G. Clark, were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the dopot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, located in Jeffersonville, Indiana across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederate Army withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp.
Even before the men had left the Louisville, Kentucky area on their way to Perryville, the green troops were having great difficulty with their health, as their new way of life and diet were not conducive to good health. Many men were left behind sick in the hospital when McCook's Brigade left the Louisville area. Still others were left behind sick in Bowling Green, Kentucky and in Gallatin, Tennessee as the men of McCook's Brigade marched toward Nashville, after the Battle of Perryville. One of those men who is believed to have been left behind sick in Gallatin, Tennessee was Private Newton G. Clark.
Whatever his ailment, nothing the doctors did seemed to help Private Newton G. Clark's condition. Finally the doctors decided that the best thing that they could do for Newton was to discharge him from the service and send him home, with the hope that with the help of family and some home cooking he could regain his health. So on February 12, 1863, Private Newton G. Clark was discharged from the service and sent home. With the help of family and that home cooking, Newton G. Clark did survive his ailment and went on to live a long and productive life.
When the men of the 86th left the Gallatin, Tennessee area on their way to Nashville, Private Asbury Clark most likely went on with the 86th, leaving his brother behind with his prayers. During the next two and a half years, the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina and Asbury Clark was there to see all of it. During this time, Asbury Clark was a witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina to name a few and marched with Sherman to the Sea.
During the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, the men of McCook's Brigade suffered more than 100 casualties in less than 30 minutes during the assault on Cheatham Hill. Asbury's Company F had three men Killed in Action and three more wounded and captured as they climbed the Confederate breastworks. One of those killed in action was Sergeant John A. Freemole. On July 1, 1864, while the men still laid in the trenches on Cheatham Hill, just yards from the Confederate breastworks, the men of Co. F elected Corporal Benjamin F. Scott to fill the vacancy with the death of Sergeant Freemole and Private Asbury Clark was elected to fill the vacant Corporal position, as a sign of his military bearing and dedication to the service, with the promotion of Corporal Scott. Asbury Clark served as a Corporal in Co. F for the remainder of the war.
After the war came to an end, the surviving members of the 86th Illinois & McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) where they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. They were mustered out of the service on June 6, 1865 in Washington and were soon on a train bound for Chicago. There they received their final pay and were discharged and by the end of June of 1864 the surviving members of Co F were back home with their families in Knox County.
At the time of the 1870 census, the Clarks are found in Jasper County, Missouri;
Asth* Clark M 39 Indiana
Elizabeth Clark F 32 Ohio
Wilbur H Clark M 16 Illinois
Jay Mc Clark M 14 Illinois
Lydia L Clark F 11 Kansas
Emery J Clark M 9 Kansas
William J Clark M 7 Illinois
Jennie G Clark F 4 Illinois
Raymond H Clark M 2 Illinois
May Clark F 0 Missouri
At the time of the 1880 census, Asbury and his family are found in Grant, Reno County, Kansas, where he is listed as a farmer;
Asbury Clark Self M 48 Indiana
Elizebeth Clark Wife F 42 Ohio
Louella Clark Daughter F 21 Illinois
E Jodron Clark Son M 19 Kansas
William Clark Son M 17 Illinois
Ramond Clark Son M 12 Illinois
Mary Clark Daughter F 10 Missouri
Lowel Clark Son M 0 Kansas
Charles Clark Son M 6 Kansas
Arron Clark Son M 4 Kansas
Arthur Clark Son M 8 Missouri
Jennie Clark Daughter F 14 Illinois
Wilber Clark Son M 26 Illinois
The following biography is found in Cutler's History, Reno County, part 10, that was published in 1883;
"REV. A. CLARK, farmer and sheep raiser, P. O. Nickerson, owns 160 acres under cultivation, 4 acres of bearing orchard and 5 acres cultivated timber, has a dwelling 16x24, L 14x18, one and a half stories high, barn and stable, combined 28x32 feet, with hen houses, implement house, and all necessary outbuildings, sheds and yards for sheep and has at present over 600 sheep. Makes sheep raising a specialty. He also owns eighty acres in Salt Creek Township. He was born in Parke County, Ind., in 1831, and in 1836 his parents moved to Illinois. In 1857, he moved to Kansas, and located in Tecumseh, Shawnee County, and in the spring of 1858, joined the Kansas and Nebraska Conference, and located in Nemaha County, and preached there until the spring of 1860. When he went to Colorado, locating at Gregory Diggings, and engaged in preaching there. In the fall he returned to Kansas; while on his way back he met the pony express on a full run, which called out as he passed, "Lincoln is elected, Lincoln is elected." In the spring of 1861, he located in what is now Jewell County, but the Indians were so bad that he had to abandon his claim, which is the present site of Jewell City. He returned to Illinois, and August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Eighty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and with his command participated in the campaign from Louisville, Ky., to Atlanta. In the march to the sea, and through the Carolinas, and after the surrender of Joe Johnston marched to Washington, D. C., and was in the grand review. He was mustard out in Chicago, June 22, 1865. After the war he located in Knox County, Ill., until 1868, when he went to Jasper County, Mo., and went from there to Kansas in 1875, and located here. He married, in 1853, Miss Elizabeth C. Harshbarger, a native of Ohio. They have a very interesting family of thirteen children - Wilbur H., Joel M. C.; Luella L., E. Judson, William Sherman, Jennie G., Raymond H., May, Arthur W., Charles M., Amous, Lowell M. and Neal. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the G. A. R. of which he is chaplain, and has occupied the position of Clerk of the School Board."
In 1887, some of the surviving members of the 86th Illinois organized and held a reunion of the old 86th in Peoria, Illinois on August 27, 1887, the 25th Anniversary of their being mustered into the service back in 1862. The reunion was such a success, being attended by more than 125 surviving members of the regiment, that they continued to be held every year on or as close to that August 27th anniversary as possible, through 1923, when it was tearfully decided that that would be their last reunion. It was most likely the great distance to travel and his work that prevented Corporal Asbury Clark from attending any of there reunions before his death in 1894. However, his brother, Newton G. Clark, attended the reunions of 1907, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914, serving as Commander of the Association for one year. However, Asbury Clark was very active in his local G.A.R. Post, the Reno Post No. 83, of Hutchinson, Kansas. For a number of years, Asbury was nominated to the the main representative of the post at the funerals of local Union soldiers, sailors and marines who died in the area.
Elizabeth Caroline (Harshbarger) Clark died on August 19, 1891 in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas and her mortal remains were laid in the Wildmead Cemetery in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas.
After her death Asbury was married to Della M. Edwards on May 2, 1892.
The Wednesday, February 14, 1894 edition of The Hutchinson Daily News, of Hutchinson, KS carried the following notice on Page 5, Column 4:
"Nickerson Notes
Conductor Joel Clark of Herington is visiting his father, Asbury Clark, who
is in very poor health."
Asbury Clark died two months later on Apr. 15, 1894 in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the Wildmead Cemetery beside those of his beloved, Elizabeth. The Thursday, April 19, 1894 edition of The Nickerson Argosy, of Nickerson, KS had the following on Page 4, column 4;
"Died, Sunday, April 15th, at 4:30 p.m., Rev. Asbury Clark of Grant township, of cancer of the stomach, in his 63d year. The funeral services were held at the M. E. church, Monday at 4 p.m., Rev. S. Brink, of Abbyville, delivering the funeral discourse. There was a very large attendance of friends and neighbors. The remains were laid away in Wildmead cemetery beside his wife and four children who preceeded him to a better world. The funeral was conducted by Reno Post of which he was an honored member, being a Past Post Commander, and also Chaplain for many years. The attendance of old soldiers at the funeral was quite large. Comrade Clark being a Methodist minister and taking an active interest in public affairs was well known all over the county and the attendance at his funeral was an index of the esteem in which he was held by the community in which he had lived so long. His crowning glory was loyalty to his country and her laws, to his family and Maker. He leaves a large family most of whom are grown and doing for themselves, while a few of the younger ones will miss a father’s care. They will be cared for by the older brothers and sisters.
____
The Saturday, April 21, 1894 edition of the Weekly Interior Herald, of Hutchinson, KS had the following notice on Page 1, Column 6;
"Rev. A. Clark, Dead.
Rev. Asbury Clark, of Nickerson, died on Sunday, April 15, 1894, after a long illness. The notice we received of his death stated that he was in his sixty-third year, was a member of the grand army post of Nickerson, and the funeral was at the Methodist church on Monday afternoon, Rev. S. Brink preaching the sermon. We have known Mr. Clark for a long time and always found him to be a square, honest man. He will be missed among all who knew him."
____
The Thursday, April 26, 1894 edition of The Western Methodist, of Wichita, KS had the following notice on Page 5, Column 1;
"OBITUARIES.
CLARK—Rev. Asbury Clark was born in Park county, Indiana, Sept. 25, 1831; died at Nickerson, Kansas, April 15, 1894; aged 62 years, 6 months, and 20 days. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Harshbarger in 1853. To them were born sixteen children, thirteen boys and three girls. Three of the boys died in infancy. One of the girls, Jennie, died aged 19. Sister Clark died in August 1891.
Bro. Clark gave his heart to God in his youth. In the spring of 1858 he united with the Kansas and Nebraska conference. Part of the year 1860 he was a missionary in California, returning to Kansas before the spring of 61, only to be driven out by the Indians. In 1862 he moved back to Illinois, and in August, 1862 he enlisted in Co. F. 86 Regt. Ill. Vo. Inft., and served his country faithfully until mustered out June 22, 1865. He moved to Jasper county, Missouri, in 1868. In 1875 he moved to Nickerson, Kansas, where he resided until death called him to his unchangeable home in glory. Two of his sons are ministers in the M. E. church. W. H. Clark is a member of the Central Illinois conference, and Jay is in California, not in the effective work on account of throat trouble. All of his children are in the church but the two younger ones. Bro. Clark was a true man to God, to the church, and his country. Glory be to God, he is safe at home with the best. S. BRINK. ABBYVILLE, KANS., April 17, 1894
The Friday, May 18, 1894 edition of the The Hutchinson Daily News, of Hutchinson, KS carried to following obituary on Page 7, Column 3;
"On the recommendation of Reno Post No. 83, of Nickerson. W. F. Hendry was
appointed to attend to the burial of ex-union soldiers, sailors and marines,
to fill vacancy caused by the death of Asbury Clark."
by Baxter B. Fite III and Rebecca Head, a great great granddaughter of Corporal Asbury Clark's.
Mother: Lydia Carmichael (1808-1884)
He was born in what was called Park County, Ohio. On February 2, 1953 he married Elizabeth Carolina Harshbarger. After her death he married Della M. Edwards on May 2, 1892. During the Civil War he served with Co F 86 IL Inf.
His Children are: Wilbur Hayden, Joel McKendry, Lydia Louella "Lou" Kirkhuff, Emory Judson, William Sherman, Jennie Glissen, Raymond Hunter, May Kirkhuff, Arthur Wilson, Charles Morton, Amon Simpson and his twin Olin Harshbarger (who died as small child), Lowell Mason, Freddie (died as infant), John Wesley, and Neil Warren.
∼(NOTE: Asbury Clark probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Asbury, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were most often printed in the form of what was called a CDV, a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Asbury Clark survived the war and lived late into the 19th century. During his life, Asbury probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of that CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some more pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Corporal ASBURY CLARK, Co. F, 86th Illinois
Asbury Clark was born on September 23, 1831 in Parke County, Indiana, the son of the Rev. William McKendree Clark (1805-1885) and Lydia (Carmichael) Clark (1808-1884). William McKendree Clark was born on July 26, 1805 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. William M. Clark was married to Lyda (Lydia) Carmichael in Cook County, Indiana on September 3, 1826. Thirteen children are believed to have been born to William and Lydia, five of whom died in infancy. Three of his sons became Methodist Episcopal preachers. His children include;
1. Asbury Clark, born September 23, 1831 in Parke County, Indiana.
2. John Clark, born c. 1835/36 in Indiana.
3. William E. Clark, born c. 1837/38/39 in Illinois.
4. Newton G. Clark, born c. 1840 in Warren County, Illinois.
5. Thomas Clark, born c. 1846/47 in Illinois.
6. Sarah J. Clark, born c. 1849/50 in Illinois, most likely in Knox County, Illinois.
William M. Clark was converted in 1826 and received on trail in the Indiana Conference in 1833. William was ordained Elder by Bishop R. R. Roberts at Lafayette, Indiana on October 21, 1835. His first circuit was large, having twenty - eight appointments, requiring 460 miles travel in four weeks. In 1836, Rev. William M. Clark moved his growing family to Illinois, joining the Illinois Conference in 1838. When the Conference was divided in 1844 his lot fell in the R. R. Conference, and when the R. R. Conference was divided in 1856 he became a member of the Central Illinois Conference, of which he was a member at the time of his death.
At the time of the 1850 census, the Clarks are found in Knox county, Illinois;
William Clark M 44 Kentucky
Lydia Clark F 42 North Carolina
Asberry Clark M 18 Indiana
John Clark M 14 Indiana
William Clark M 11 Illinois
Newton Clark M 9 Illinois
Thomas Clark M 3 Illinois
Sarah Concer F 23 Pennsylvania
At the time of the 1860 census, the Clarks are found in Haw Creek Township, Knox County, Illinois;
William Clark M 54 Kentucky
Lyddia Clark F 52 North Carolina
Thomas Clark M 12 Illinois
Sarah J Clark F 10 Illinois
Newton G Clark M 19 Illinois
Anna Clark F 19 Illinois
William E Clark M 23 Illinois
William McKendree Clark died at his home in Abingdon, Illinois on January 18, 1885 at the age of 80. William was a professor of religion for some 64 years and a Methodist preacher for 59 years.
Now to continue with the biography of Asbury Clark;
Asbury Clark was married on February 2, 1854 to Elizabeth Carolina Harshbarger in Knox County, Illinois. Elizabeth was born on November 6, 1837 in Highland County, Ohio, the daughter of Joel Harshbarger (1810-18_?) and Rachel (Hayden) Harshbarger McClain.
Sixteen children are believed to have been born to Asbury and Elizabeth, including;
1. Wilbur Hayden Clark, born c. 1853/54 in Illinois.
2. Joel McKendee Clark, born c. 1856/57 in Illinois. In the 1890's Joel is found in California.
3. Lydia Louella "Lou" Clark, born ___________ __, 1859 in Illinois. Lydia was married to ___________ Kirkhuff. Lydia died on ___________ __, 1910.
4. Emory Judson Clark, born c. January __, 1861 in Kansas. Judson was married to Laura F. __________ c. 1887/88. At the time of the 1900 census, Judson and his family are found in Grant Township, Nickerson city Ward 1-3, Reno County, Kansas;
E Judson Clark Head M 39 Kansas
Laura F Clark Wife F 36 Illinois
Leo F Clark Son M 9 Kansas
Olin J Clark Son M 5 Kansas
5. William Sherman Clark, born ___________ __, 1863 in Illinois. William died on ___________ __, 1944.
6. Jennie Glissen Clark, born ___________ __, 1866 in Illinois. Jennie died on ____________ __, 1885.
7. Raymond Hunter Clark, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
8. May Clark, born ___________ __, 1870 in Missouri. May was married to ___________ Kirkhuff. May died on ___________ __, 1942.
9. Arthur Wilson Clark, born c. 1871/72 in Missouri.
10. Charles Morton Clark, born ___________ __, 1874 in Kansas. Charles died on ___________ __, 1929.
11. (twin) Amon Simpson Clark, born ___________ __, 1876 in Kansas. Amon died on ___________ __, 1927.
12. (twin) Olin Harshbarger Clark, born on ___________ __,
1876. Olin died on ___________ __, 1877.
13. Lowell Mason Clark, born c. 1879/80 in Kansas.
14, Freddie Clark, born on ___________ __, 1878. Freddie died on ___________ __, 1878.
15. John Wesley Clark, born April 12, 1881. John died on September 19, 1881 and his mortal remains were laid in the Wildmead Cemetery in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas.
16. Neil Warren Clark, born ___________ __, 1882 in Kansas. Neil was married to Emelyn ___________. At the time of the 1930 census, Neil and his family are found in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California;
Neil Clark Head M 47 Kansas
Emelyn Clark Wife F 42 Utah
Lelland Clark Son M 20 Utah
Edyth Clark Daughter F 19 California
Helen Clark Daughter F 8 California
Dorothy Clark Daughter F 4 California
Leo Climax Roomer M 28 Ohio
Neil Warren Clark died on _____________ __, 1949.
Now to continue with the biography of Asbury Clark;
Asbury followed in his father's footsteps and became a Minister of the Gospel in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1857, Asbury and Elizabeth moved their growing family to Kansas, locating in Tecumseh, Shawnee County. In the spring of 1858, Asbury joined the Kansas and Nebraska Conference, and they moved on to Nemaha County, Nebraska, preaching there until the spring of 1860. In 1860, Asbury and Elizabeth moved the family to Colorado, locating at Gregory Diggings, and engaged in preaching there. In the fall they returned to Kansas. While on his way back, Asbury met a pony express rider on a full run, who called out as he passed, "Lincoln is elected, Lincoln is elected!" In the spring of 1861, the Clark's located in what is now Jewell County, Kansas, but the Indians were so bad that he had to abandon his claim, which is the present site of Jewell City. Asbury and his family then returned to Knox County, Illinois, where they took up residence in or near Maquon, Illinois.
On July 31, 1862, Asbury's younger brother, Newton G. Clark, volunteered at Maquon, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in Maquon, Illinois by a local Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burhalter. Two days later, on August 2, 1862, Asbury volunteered to serve in this same company beside his brother and many friends, who had also already volunteered.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name CLARK, ASBURY Rank PVT
Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL
Age 30 Height 6' Hair BROWN
Eyes BLUE Complexion FAIR
Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER Nativity PARK CO, IN
Service Record
Joined When AUG 2, 1862
Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER
Period 3 YRS Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom ___________
Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC
Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGGS
Remarks PROMOTED CORPORAL JUL 1, 1864
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, Illinois, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. There on August 27, 1862, Burkhalter was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers, including now Privates Asbury Clark and Newton G. Clark, were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the dopot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, located in Jeffersonville, Indiana across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederate Army withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp.
Even before the men had left the Louisville, Kentucky area on their way to Perryville, the green troops were having great difficulty with their health, as their new way of life and diet were not conducive to good health. Many men were left behind sick in the hospital when McCook's Brigade left the Louisville area. Still others were left behind sick in Bowling Green, Kentucky and in Gallatin, Tennessee as the men of McCook's Brigade marched toward Nashville, after the Battle of Perryville. One of those men who is believed to have been left behind sick in Gallatin, Tennessee was Private Newton G. Clark.
Whatever his ailment, nothing the doctors did seemed to help Private Newton G. Clark's condition. Finally the doctors decided that the best thing that they could do for Newton was to discharge him from the service and send him home, with the hope that with the help of family and some home cooking he could regain his health. So on February 12, 1863, Private Newton G. Clark was discharged from the service and sent home. With the help of family and that home cooking, Newton G. Clark did survive his ailment and went on to live a long and productive life.
When the men of the 86th left the Gallatin, Tennessee area on their way to Nashville, Private Asbury Clark most likely went on with the 86th, leaving his brother behind with his prayers. During the next two and a half years, the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina and Asbury Clark was there to see all of it. During this time, Asbury Clark was a witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina to name a few and marched with Sherman to the Sea.
During the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, the men of McCook's Brigade suffered more than 100 casualties in less than 30 minutes during the assault on Cheatham Hill. Asbury's Company F had three men Killed in Action and three more wounded and captured as they climbed the Confederate breastworks. One of those killed in action was Sergeant John A. Freemole. On July 1, 1864, while the men still laid in the trenches on Cheatham Hill, just yards from the Confederate breastworks, the men of Co. F elected Corporal Benjamin F. Scott to fill the vacancy with the death of Sergeant Freemole and Private Asbury Clark was elected to fill the vacant Corporal position, as a sign of his military bearing and dedication to the service, with the promotion of Corporal Scott. Asbury Clark served as a Corporal in Co. F for the remainder of the war.
After the war came to an end, the surviving members of the 86th Illinois & McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) where they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. They were mustered out of the service on June 6, 1865 in Washington and were soon on a train bound for Chicago. There they received their final pay and were discharged and by the end of June of 1864 the surviving members of Co F were back home with their families in Knox County.
At the time of the 1870 census, the Clarks are found in Jasper County, Missouri;
Asth* Clark M 39 Indiana
Elizabeth Clark F 32 Ohio
Wilbur H Clark M 16 Illinois
Jay Mc Clark M 14 Illinois
Lydia L Clark F 11 Kansas
Emery J Clark M 9 Kansas
William J Clark M 7 Illinois
Jennie G Clark F 4 Illinois
Raymond H Clark M 2 Illinois
May Clark F 0 Missouri
At the time of the 1880 census, Asbury and his family are found in Grant, Reno County, Kansas, where he is listed as a farmer;
Asbury Clark Self M 48 Indiana
Elizebeth Clark Wife F 42 Ohio
Louella Clark Daughter F 21 Illinois
E Jodron Clark Son M 19 Kansas
William Clark Son M 17 Illinois
Ramond Clark Son M 12 Illinois
Mary Clark Daughter F 10 Missouri
Lowel Clark Son M 0 Kansas
Charles Clark Son M 6 Kansas
Arron Clark Son M 4 Kansas
Arthur Clark Son M 8 Missouri
Jennie Clark Daughter F 14 Illinois
Wilber Clark Son M 26 Illinois
The following biography is found in Cutler's History, Reno County, part 10, that was published in 1883;
"REV. A. CLARK, farmer and sheep raiser, P. O. Nickerson, owns 160 acres under cultivation, 4 acres of bearing orchard and 5 acres cultivated timber, has a dwelling 16x24, L 14x18, one and a half stories high, barn and stable, combined 28x32 feet, with hen houses, implement house, and all necessary outbuildings, sheds and yards for sheep and has at present over 600 sheep. Makes sheep raising a specialty. He also owns eighty acres in Salt Creek Township. He was born in Parke County, Ind., in 1831, and in 1836 his parents moved to Illinois. In 1857, he moved to Kansas, and located in Tecumseh, Shawnee County, and in the spring of 1858, joined the Kansas and Nebraska Conference, and located in Nemaha County, and preached there until the spring of 1860. When he went to Colorado, locating at Gregory Diggings, and engaged in preaching there. In the fall he returned to Kansas; while on his way back he met the pony express on a full run, which called out as he passed, "Lincoln is elected, Lincoln is elected." In the spring of 1861, he located in what is now Jewell County, but the Indians were so bad that he had to abandon his claim, which is the present site of Jewell City. He returned to Illinois, and August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Eighty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and with his command participated in the campaign from Louisville, Ky., to Atlanta. In the march to the sea, and through the Carolinas, and after the surrender of Joe Johnston marched to Washington, D. C., and was in the grand review. He was mustard out in Chicago, June 22, 1865. After the war he located in Knox County, Ill., until 1868, when he went to Jasper County, Mo., and went from there to Kansas in 1875, and located here. He married, in 1853, Miss Elizabeth C. Harshbarger, a native of Ohio. They have a very interesting family of thirteen children - Wilbur H., Joel M. C.; Luella L., E. Judson, William Sherman, Jennie G., Raymond H., May, Arthur W., Charles M., Amous, Lowell M. and Neal. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the G. A. R. of which he is chaplain, and has occupied the position of Clerk of the School Board."
In 1887, some of the surviving members of the 86th Illinois organized and held a reunion of the old 86th in Peoria, Illinois on August 27, 1887, the 25th Anniversary of their being mustered into the service back in 1862. The reunion was such a success, being attended by more than 125 surviving members of the regiment, that they continued to be held every year on or as close to that August 27th anniversary as possible, through 1923, when it was tearfully decided that that would be their last reunion. It was most likely the great distance to travel and his work that prevented Corporal Asbury Clark from attending any of there reunions before his death in 1894. However, his brother, Newton G. Clark, attended the reunions of 1907, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914, serving as Commander of the Association for one year. However, Asbury Clark was very active in his local G.A.R. Post, the Reno Post No. 83, of Hutchinson, Kansas. For a number of years, Asbury was nominated to the the main representative of the post at the funerals of local Union soldiers, sailors and marines who died in the area.
Elizabeth Caroline (Harshbarger) Clark died on August 19, 1891 in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas and her mortal remains were laid in the Wildmead Cemetery in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas.
After her death Asbury was married to Della M. Edwards on May 2, 1892.
The Wednesday, February 14, 1894 edition of The Hutchinson Daily News, of Hutchinson, KS carried the following notice on Page 5, Column 4:
"Nickerson Notes
Conductor Joel Clark of Herington is visiting his father, Asbury Clark, who
is in very poor health."
Asbury Clark died two months later on Apr. 15, 1894 in Nickerson, Reno County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the Wildmead Cemetery beside those of his beloved, Elizabeth. The Thursday, April 19, 1894 edition of The Nickerson Argosy, of Nickerson, KS had the following on Page 4, column 4;
"Died, Sunday, April 15th, at 4:30 p.m., Rev. Asbury Clark of Grant township, of cancer of the stomach, in his 63d year. The funeral services were held at the M. E. church, Monday at 4 p.m., Rev. S. Brink, of Abbyville, delivering the funeral discourse. There was a very large attendance of friends and neighbors. The remains were laid away in Wildmead cemetery beside his wife and four children who preceeded him to a better world. The funeral was conducted by Reno Post of which he was an honored member, being a Past Post Commander, and also Chaplain for many years. The attendance of old soldiers at the funeral was quite large. Comrade Clark being a Methodist minister and taking an active interest in public affairs was well known all over the county and the attendance at his funeral was an index of the esteem in which he was held by the community in which he had lived so long. His crowning glory was loyalty to his country and her laws, to his family and Maker. He leaves a large family most of whom are grown and doing for themselves, while a few of the younger ones will miss a father’s care. They will be cared for by the older brothers and sisters.
____
The Saturday, April 21, 1894 edition of the Weekly Interior Herald, of Hutchinson, KS had the following notice on Page 1, Column 6;
"Rev. A. Clark, Dead.
Rev. Asbury Clark, of Nickerson, died on Sunday, April 15, 1894, after a long illness. The notice we received of his death stated that he was in his sixty-third year, was a member of the grand army post of Nickerson, and the funeral was at the Methodist church on Monday afternoon, Rev. S. Brink preaching the sermon. We have known Mr. Clark for a long time and always found him to be a square, honest man. He will be missed among all who knew him."
____
The Thursday, April 26, 1894 edition of The Western Methodist, of Wichita, KS had the following notice on Page 5, Column 1;
"OBITUARIES.
CLARK—Rev. Asbury Clark was born in Park county, Indiana, Sept. 25, 1831; died at Nickerson, Kansas, April 15, 1894; aged 62 years, 6 months, and 20 days. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Harshbarger in 1853. To them were born sixteen children, thirteen boys and three girls. Three of the boys died in infancy. One of the girls, Jennie, died aged 19. Sister Clark died in August 1891.
Bro. Clark gave his heart to God in his youth. In the spring of 1858 he united with the Kansas and Nebraska conference. Part of the year 1860 he was a missionary in California, returning to Kansas before the spring of 61, only to be driven out by the Indians. In 1862 he moved back to Illinois, and in August, 1862 he enlisted in Co. F. 86 Regt. Ill. Vo. Inft., and served his country faithfully until mustered out June 22, 1865. He moved to Jasper county, Missouri, in 1868. In 1875 he moved to Nickerson, Kansas, where he resided until death called him to his unchangeable home in glory. Two of his sons are ministers in the M. E. church. W. H. Clark is a member of the Central Illinois conference, and Jay is in California, not in the effective work on account of throat trouble. All of his children are in the church but the two younger ones. Bro. Clark was a true man to God, to the church, and his country. Glory be to God, he is safe at home with the best. S. BRINK. ABBYVILLE, KANS., April 17, 1894
The Friday, May 18, 1894 edition of the The Hutchinson Daily News, of Hutchinson, KS carried to following obituary on Page 7, Column 3;
"On the recommendation of Reno Post No. 83, of Nickerson. W. F. Hendry was
appointed to attend to the burial of ex-union soldiers, sailors and marines,
to fill vacancy caused by the death of Asbury Clark."
by Baxter B. Fite III and Rebecca Head, a great great granddaughter of Corporal Asbury Clark's.
Family Members
Children
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Dr Wilbur Hayden Clark
1854–1917
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Lydia Louella "Lou" Clark Kirkhuff
1859–1910
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Emery Judson Clark
1861–1924
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Rev William Sherman Clark
1863–1944
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Jennie Glissen Clark
1866–1885
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May Clark Kirkhuff
1870–1942
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Charles M Clark
1874–1929
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Olin H. Clark
1876–1877
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Amon Simpson Clark
1876–1927
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Freddie Clark
1878–1878
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John W. Clark
1881–1881
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Neil W Clark
1882–1949
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