"History of McDonough County, Illinois: it's cities, towns and villages, with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdo" page 334 & 335
S. J. Clarke, Springfield, Illinois 1878
James Clarke
The subject of our present sketch was among the earliest settlers of our county, and for years occupied official positions that brought him before the people as much as any other man within it's border. He was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, September 26, 1797. His parents were John and Ann Whitten Clarke, the father being a soldier of the Revolutionary War. They were in very moderate circumstances, and when James was but a babe removed to Washington County, in the same state, engaging in the occupation of farming, their son assisting them as soon as he arrived at an age when he could be of service, remaining at home until eighteen years of age, when he left to learn the trade of hatter, which trade he followed for some years. A few months attendance in the common schools was all the educational advantages that he ever enjoyed, but that little he made the best of in after life. The same general traits of character for which he was noted when more advanced in life was observable in youth. He was a quiet, steady and industrious boy, never engaging in any of the rude sports of the time, and of good moral habits.
On the twenty-first day of May, 1818, a few months before reaching his majority, he was married to Miss Mary Lewis, in Washington County, Kentucky, with whom he lived happily a period of fifty-eight years, or until death called him away. Eleven children were born unto them, eight sons and three daughters, the latter, with one son, the eldest of the family, yet dwelling upon this side of the river, the rest having passed over.
Realizing the almost utter impossibility of the poor ever becoming rich, or even obtaining a respectable living in the old states, especially the slave states, Mr. Clarke determined on emigrating to Illinois, and in the year 1829, with his family, removed to Morgan County, in this state, where they remained but one year, and in the spring of 1830 came to this county.
When he arrived here he found but few families, and only scattered settlements here and there. In the neighborhood of the present city of Macomb, where he settled, there were but two families, Elias McFadden, then living on the Hunter farm, south of town, and John Baker, living near where the Fourth Ward School now stands. The county was without organization, all local business being transacted in Schuyler County, and the nearest post office being in Rushville, of the same county. In the summer after his arrival steps were taken to organize the county, Mr. Clarke being very active in the matter. In the first election he was elected one of the three County Commissioners, and was re-elected several times, serving, we believe, about eight years. He also served several years as Probate Justice. When a change was made in the government of counties, by the constitution of 1848, he was elected County Judge, which office he held for four years. He was also a member of the first city council of Macomb, and for years was a Justice of the Peace of the county. In the discharge of his official duties he endeavored to render satisfaction to all, and was always popular with the people.
---------------------------------
"Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois" page 848
James Clarke came to McDonough County in the spring of 1830, and for several years held official positions which brought him prominently before the people. In Washington County, Kentucky, he had learned the trade of a hatter, which he followed a number of years. He bought land in Emmet and Sciota townships, living in the former, where he build what was called at the time the finest log house in the county. He afterwards moved to Macomb, where he lived the rest of his life. He sold the Emmet township property to Samuel Clarke, who lived there until he died in 1862.
---------------------------------
"History of McDonough County, Illinois"
1885 Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Illinois Jun 1885
Page 90
James Clarke, one of the first commissioners of McDonough County, and quite a prominent man in the history of this section, made a settlement upon section 12, in Chalmers township in 1830. He did not remain there long, but the following year moved to Macomb, where he lived until the day of his death in Jun 1876.
Page 203
At the general election, held on the first Monday in August, 1830, James Vance, James Clarke and John Hardesty were re-elected to fill the positions of county commissioners.
Page 361
a number of old settlers of McDonough County assembled at Campbell's Hall in Macomb on the 15th of July, 1869...
Resolved, that all persons living in McDonough County, who have lived in this state 33 years, may become members of the Old Settler's Society.
The following gentelmen then came forward and presented their names, together with the information desired:
......David Clarke, James Clarke,....
---------------------------------------
"OLD CEMETERY Macomb, ILL"
compiled 1984 Marge Harris
McDonough County Genealogical Society
Pg. 29
PIONEER HISTORY
"Uncle Anderson Cannon was one of McDonough County's pioneers. he possessed a remarkable memory of early events and loves to recount his early experiences..........
"I arrived at the hamlet of Macomb on October 27, 1833. There was at that time eight log buidings and the courthouse. I remember the name of every man in town at that time. There were Bob Price, David Burrel, Jim Campbell, Jim Head, Horace Head, Bill Bailey, Elijah Stapp, John Beadles, Nick Rodgers, Jonathan Ratekin, Sam Ratekin, Jonathan Baker, and James Clarke......... "
Pg. 30
"James Clark kept the tavern. It stood where Smiths hardware store now stands. The tavern was the finest building in town. The logs were hewn. The rest of the buildings were just rough poles."
S. J. Clarke, Springfield, Illinois 1878
James Clarke
The subject of our present sketch was among the earliest settlers of our county, and for years occupied official positions that brought him before the people as much as any other man within it's border. He was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, September 26, 1797. His parents were John and Ann Whitten Clarke, the father being a soldier of the Revolutionary War. They were in very moderate circumstances, and when James was but a babe removed to Washington County, in the same state, engaging in the occupation of farming, their son assisting them as soon as he arrived at an age when he could be of service, remaining at home until eighteen years of age, when he left to learn the trade of hatter, which trade he followed for some years. A few months attendance in the common schools was all the educational advantages that he ever enjoyed, but that little he made the best of in after life. The same general traits of character for which he was noted when more advanced in life was observable in youth. He was a quiet, steady and industrious boy, never engaging in any of the rude sports of the time, and of good moral habits.
On the twenty-first day of May, 1818, a few months before reaching his majority, he was married to Miss Mary Lewis, in Washington County, Kentucky, with whom he lived happily a period of fifty-eight years, or until death called him away. Eleven children were born unto them, eight sons and three daughters, the latter, with one son, the eldest of the family, yet dwelling upon this side of the river, the rest having passed over.
Realizing the almost utter impossibility of the poor ever becoming rich, or even obtaining a respectable living in the old states, especially the slave states, Mr. Clarke determined on emigrating to Illinois, and in the year 1829, with his family, removed to Morgan County, in this state, where they remained but one year, and in the spring of 1830 came to this county.
When he arrived here he found but few families, and only scattered settlements here and there. In the neighborhood of the present city of Macomb, where he settled, there were but two families, Elias McFadden, then living on the Hunter farm, south of town, and John Baker, living near where the Fourth Ward School now stands. The county was without organization, all local business being transacted in Schuyler County, and the nearest post office being in Rushville, of the same county. In the summer after his arrival steps were taken to organize the county, Mr. Clarke being very active in the matter. In the first election he was elected one of the three County Commissioners, and was re-elected several times, serving, we believe, about eight years. He also served several years as Probate Justice. When a change was made in the government of counties, by the constitution of 1848, he was elected County Judge, which office he held for four years. He was also a member of the first city council of Macomb, and for years was a Justice of the Peace of the county. In the discharge of his official duties he endeavored to render satisfaction to all, and was always popular with the people.
---------------------------------
"Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois" page 848
James Clarke came to McDonough County in the spring of 1830, and for several years held official positions which brought him prominently before the people. In Washington County, Kentucky, he had learned the trade of a hatter, which he followed a number of years. He bought land in Emmet and Sciota townships, living in the former, where he build what was called at the time the finest log house in the county. He afterwards moved to Macomb, where he lived the rest of his life. He sold the Emmet township property to Samuel Clarke, who lived there until he died in 1862.
---------------------------------
"History of McDonough County, Illinois"
1885 Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Illinois Jun 1885
Page 90
James Clarke, one of the first commissioners of McDonough County, and quite a prominent man in the history of this section, made a settlement upon section 12, in Chalmers township in 1830. He did not remain there long, but the following year moved to Macomb, where he lived until the day of his death in Jun 1876.
Page 203
At the general election, held on the first Monday in August, 1830, James Vance, James Clarke and John Hardesty were re-elected to fill the positions of county commissioners.
Page 361
a number of old settlers of McDonough County assembled at Campbell's Hall in Macomb on the 15th of July, 1869...
Resolved, that all persons living in McDonough County, who have lived in this state 33 years, may become members of the Old Settler's Society.
The following gentelmen then came forward and presented their names, together with the information desired:
......David Clarke, James Clarke,....
---------------------------------------
"OLD CEMETERY Macomb, ILL"
compiled 1984 Marge Harris
McDonough County Genealogical Society
Pg. 29
PIONEER HISTORY
"Uncle Anderson Cannon was one of McDonough County's pioneers. he possessed a remarkable memory of early events and loves to recount his early experiences..........
"I arrived at the hamlet of Macomb on October 27, 1833. There was at that time eight log buidings and the courthouse. I remember the name of every man in town at that time. There were Bob Price, David Burrel, Jim Campbell, Jim Head, Horace Head, Bill Bailey, Elijah Stapp, John Beadles, Nick Rodgers, Jonathan Ratekin, Sam Ratekin, Jonathan Baker, and James Clarke......... "
Pg. 30
"James Clark kept the tavern. It stood where Smiths hardware store now stands. The tavern was the finest building in town. The logs were hewn. The rest of the buildings were just rough poles."
"History of McDonough County, Illinois: it's cities, towns and villages, with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdo" page 334 & 335
S. J. Clarke, Springfield, Illinois 1878
James Clarke
The subject of our present sketch was among the earliest settlers of our county, and for years occupied official positions that brought him before the people as much as any other man within it's border. He was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, September 26, 1797. His parents were John and Ann Whitten Clarke, the father being a soldier of the Revolutionary War. They were in very moderate circumstances, and when James was but a babe removed to Washington County, in the same state, engaging in the occupation of farming, their son assisting them as soon as he arrived at an age when he could be of service, remaining at home until eighteen years of age, when he left to learn the trade of hatter, which trade he followed for some years. A few months attendance in the common schools was all the educational advantages that he ever enjoyed, but that little he made the best of in after life. The same general traits of character for which he was noted when more advanced in life was observable in youth. He was a quiet, steady and industrious boy, never engaging in any of the rude sports of the time, and of good moral habits.
On the twenty-first day of May, 1818, a few months before reaching his majority, he was married to Miss Mary Lewis, in Washington County, Kentucky, with whom he lived happily a period of fifty-eight years, or until death called him away. Eleven children were born unto them, eight sons and three daughters, the latter, with one son, the eldest of the family, yet dwelling upon this side of the river, the rest having passed over.
Realizing the almost utter impossibility of the poor ever becoming rich, or even obtaining a respectable living in the old states, especially the slave states, Mr. Clarke determined on emigrating to Illinois, and in the year 1829, with his family, removed to Morgan County, in this state, where they remained but one year, and in the spring of 1830 came to this county.
When he arrived here he found but few families, and only scattered settlements here and there. In the neighborhood of the present city of Macomb, where he settled, there were but two families, Elias McFadden, then living on the Hunter farm, south of town, and John Baker, living near where the Fourth Ward School now stands. The county was without organization, all local business being transacted in Schuyler County, and the nearest post office being in Rushville, of the same county. In the summer after his arrival steps were taken to organize the county, Mr. Clarke being very active in the matter. In the first election he was elected one of the three County Commissioners, and was re-elected several times, serving, we believe, about eight years. He also served several years as Probate Justice. When a change was made in the government of counties, by the constitution of 1848, he was elected County Judge, which office he held for four years. He was also a member of the first city council of Macomb, and for years was a Justice of the Peace of the county. In the discharge of his official duties he endeavored to render satisfaction to all, and was always popular with the people.
---------------------------------
"Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois" page 848
James Clarke came to McDonough County in the spring of 1830, and for several years held official positions which brought him prominently before the people. In Washington County, Kentucky, he had learned the trade of a hatter, which he followed a number of years. He bought land in Emmet and Sciota townships, living in the former, where he build what was called at the time the finest log house in the county. He afterwards moved to Macomb, where he lived the rest of his life. He sold the Emmet township property to Samuel Clarke, who lived there until he died in 1862.
---------------------------------
"History of McDonough County, Illinois"
1885 Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Illinois Jun 1885
Page 90
James Clarke, one of the first commissioners of McDonough County, and quite a prominent man in the history of this section, made a settlement upon section 12, in Chalmers township in 1830. He did not remain there long, but the following year moved to Macomb, where he lived until the day of his death in Jun 1876.
Page 203
At the general election, held on the first Monday in August, 1830, James Vance, James Clarke and John Hardesty were re-elected to fill the positions of county commissioners.
Page 361
a number of old settlers of McDonough County assembled at Campbell's Hall in Macomb on the 15th of July, 1869...
Resolved, that all persons living in McDonough County, who have lived in this state 33 years, may become members of the Old Settler's Society.
The following gentelmen then came forward and presented their names, together with the information desired:
......David Clarke, James Clarke,....
---------------------------------------
"OLD CEMETERY Macomb, ILL"
compiled 1984 Marge Harris
McDonough County Genealogical Society
Pg. 29
PIONEER HISTORY
"Uncle Anderson Cannon was one of McDonough County's pioneers. he possessed a remarkable memory of early events and loves to recount his early experiences..........
"I arrived at the hamlet of Macomb on October 27, 1833. There was at that time eight log buidings and the courthouse. I remember the name of every man in town at that time. There were Bob Price, David Burrel, Jim Campbell, Jim Head, Horace Head, Bill Bailey, Elijah Stapp, John Beadles, Nick Rodgers, Jonathan Ratekin, Sam Ratekin, Jonathan Baker, and James Clarke......... "
Pg. 30
"James Clark kept the tavern. It stood where Smiths hardware store now stands. The tavern was the finest building in town. The logs were hewn. The rest of the buildings were just rough poles."
S. J. Clarke, Springfield, Illinois 1878
James Clarke
The subject of our present sketch was among the earliest settlers of our county, and for years occupied official positions that brought him before the people as much as any other man within it's border. He was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, September 26, 1797. His parents were John and Ann Whitten Clarke, the father being a soldier of the Revolutionary War. They were in very moderate circumstances, and when James was but a babe removed to Washington County, in the same state, engaging in the occupation of farming, their son assisting them as soon as he arrived at an age when he could be of service, remaining at home until eighteen years of age, when he left to learn the trade of hatter, which trade he followed for some years. A few months attendance in the common schools was all the educational advantages that he ever enjoyed, but that little he made the best of in after life. The same general traits of character for which he was noted when more advanced in life was observable in youth. He was a quiet, steady and industrious boy, never engaging in any of the rude sports of the time, and of good moral habits.
On the twenty-first day of May, 1818, a few months before reaching his majority, he was married to Miss Mary Lewis, in Washington County, Kentucky, with whom he lived happily a period of fifty-eight years, or until death called him away. Eleven children were born unto them, eight sons and three daughters, the latter, with one son, the eldest of the family, yet dwelling upon this side of the river, the rest having passed over.
Realizing the almost utter impossibility of the poor ever becoming rich, or even obtaining a respectable living in the old states, especially the slave states, Mr. Clarke determined on emigrating to Illinois, and in the year 1829, with his family, removed to Morgan County, in this state, where they remained but one year, and in the spring of 1830 came to this county.
When he arrived here he found but few families, and only scattered settlements here and there. In the neighborhood of the present city of Macomb, where he settled, there were but two families, Elias McFadden, then living on the Hunter farm, south of town, and John Baker, living near where the Fourth Ward School now stands. The county was without organization, all local business being transacted in Schuyler County, and the nearest post office being in Rushville, of the same county. In the summer after his arrival steps were taken to organize the county, Mr. Clarke being very active in the matter. In the first election he was elected one of the three County Commissioners, and was re-elected several times, serving, we believe, about eight years. He also served several years as Probate Justice. When a change was made in the government of counties, by the constitution of 1848, he was elected County Judge, which office he held for four years. He was also a member of the first city council of Macomb, and for years was a Justice of the Peace of the county. In the discharge of his official duties he endeavored to render satisfaction to all, and was always popular with the people.
---------------------------------
"Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois" page 848
James Clarke came to McDonough County in the spring of 1830, and for several years held official positions which brought him prominently before the people. In Washington County, Kentucky, he had learned the trade of a hatter, which he followed a number of years. He bought land in Emmet and Sciota townships, living in the former, where he build what was called at the time the finest log house in the county. He afterwards moved to Macomb, where he lived the rest of his life. He sold the Emmet township property to Samuel Clarke, who lived there until he died in 1862.
---------------------------------
"History of McDonough County, Illinois"
1885 Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Illinois Jun 1885
Page 90
James Clarke, one of the first commissioners of McDonough County, and quite a prominent man in the history of this section, made a settlement upon section 12, in Chalmers township in 1830. He did not remain there long, but the following year moved to Macomb, where he lived until the day of his death in Jun 1876.
Page 203
At the general election, held on the first Monday in August, 1830, James Vance, James Clarke and John Hardesty were re-elected to fill the positions of county commissioners.
Page 361
a number of old settlers of McDonough County assembled at Campbell's Hall in Macomb on the 15th of July, 1869...
Resolved, that all persons living in McDonough County, who have lived in this state 33 years, may become members of the Old Settler's Society.
The following gentelmen then came forward and presented their names, together with the information desired:
......David Clarke, James Clarke,....
---------------------------------------
"OLD CEMETERY Macomb, ILL"
compiled 1984 Marge Harris
McDonough County Genealogical Society
Pg. 29
PIONEER HISTORY
"Uncle Anderson Cannon was one of McDonough County's pioneers. he possessed a remarkable memory of early events and loves to recount his early experiences..........
"I arrived at the hamlet of Macomb on October 27, 1833. There was at that time eight log buidings and the courthouse. I remember the name of every man in town at that time. There were Bob Price, David Burrel, Jim Campbell, Jim Head, Horace Head, Bill Bailey, Elijah Stapp, John Beadles, Nick Rodgers, Jonathan Ratekin, Sam Ratekin, Jonathan Baker, and James Clarke......... "
Pg. 30
"James Clark kept the tavern. It stood where Smiths hardware store now stands. The tavern was the finest building in town. The logs were hewn. The rest of the buildings were just rough poles."
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