Biography - Merritt M. Clark
MERRITT M. CLARK, a patriot soldier during the Civil War, was born in
Manchester, Bennington County VT, January 10, 1835. He was the youngest son of
Chester and Saviah (Matteson) Clark, and was left fatherless when only eleven
years of age. In 1851, he came to Galesburg with his mother, and lived here the
remainder of his life.
Mr. Clark acquired the rudiments of his education in the district schools of his
native State. Afterwards, he supplemented this instruction with a more thorough
course of study. He matriculated in Knox College, and graduated with high honors
in 1857. After graduation, he read law with the firm of Smith and Ford, and was
soon admitted to practice in the courts of the State. In the Spring of 1861, a
law partnership was formed with Judge A. A. Smith and E. P. Williams, which
continued until 1862. Imbued with patriotic fervor, he entered the army as a
commissioned officer, and served, though with impaired health, until the close
of the war. His patriotism and his love for his companions in arms are shown by
the following incident: A member of the law firm, in which he was once a
partner, urged him to obtain a discharge from the service on account of his poor
health, and with a true Roman spirit offered to take his place. He replied, that
he could not ask such a favor, when his companions, suffering as much as he,
could not obtain a release. Having been a partaker with them in the triumphs of
battle and the shouts of victory, he could not desert them in an hour of
darkness, disease, or death. With an heroic spirit and with a manly courage that
did not quail in the smoke of battle, he remained at his post until victory was
won.
After Mr. Clark's discharge, he returned to his home, where he remained, highly
honored, until his death. Immediately, he was elected Police Magistrate, which
office he filled until the Spring of 1866. He then formed a law partnership with
E. P. Williams, which was dissolved in 1871 on account of Mr. Clark's
ill-health. During 1871, he was elected City Attorney, which office he held for
one year.
As a lawyer, Mr. Clark possessed certain eminent characteristics. He was fair
and honest, and a sense of justice and equity seemed to control his actions. He
was accurate and painstaking in cases at court, and his quick perceptions and
versatile mind enabled him to discover the weak and strong points in trial or
argument. As a soldier, he virtually gave his life to his country. Disease,
contacted on the field of battle, did not quench the fire of patriotism that was
burning within him, or turn him from the path of duty. His name is worthy to be
enrolled on the scroll of fame with the patriots of his time. As man and
citizen, he bore an unsullied character. His demeanor was pleasing, but not
commanding. He was charitable in his speech and acts, and his kindly nature drew
around him many friends. He lived a full life of kindness and love, and is
worthy to have inscribed upon his tombstone this epitaph - an honest man.
Mr. Clark was a Congregationalist, a member of the Old First Church. His
political faith was republican. He was married September 2, 1857, to Celia A.
Tinker, a daughter of Rev. Charles E. and Mary (Robinson) Tinker. Rev. Charles
E. Tinker was a Home Missionary about 1840.
To Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born seven children: Mary Ina, died in childhood;
Luella M.; Chester M.; Charles T.; Jay C.; Willis J.; and Alice Pauline.
Extracted from the 1899 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County,
Munsell Publishing Company.
