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.

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