Lot No. 13 has been divided into two. It was sold to Mary (Gabriel) Hawk when her husband, Isaac, died on 14 April 1892. Isaac, Mary and their son, George W., are buried in the south half of the lot.
John H. Clark purchased the north half of the lot, in all likelihood from the Hawk family, when his father, George Clark, died on 17 April 1896. George and John H. are buried on the north half of the lot.
NORTH HALF: LOT NO. 13
John H. Clark, Owner
George and John H. Clark, both of whom have interesting stories to tell, are buried beneath an uninformative tombstone. In all likelihood it was erected after John's 1939 death by people who had no idea of the proper dates to inscribe upon it. George had one son only, John H., and John left no descendants at all. The double inscription on the stone reads only:
GEORGE
JOHN
George Clark may have had the most interesting and varied career of any buried at Salem, as his obituary will show. The title "Dr." in the obituary seems to be entirely honorary although I do believe he practiced late in life a version of quackery that involved magnets and that probably is the source of the title. I've misplaced the references to that phase of his career, however. If George had a proper inscription it would read like this:
GEORGE CLARK
Born Aug. 22, 1821
Chatham County, North Carolina
Died April 16, 1896
Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa
DEATH NOTICE: GEORGE CLARK
CLARK - George Clark of Benton township died last Friday, April 17, 1896. As he has been in feeble health for many months his dismise (sic) did not come unexpected. He was born in Chatham county, North Carolina, August 22, 1821. In 1850 he was married to Michel Hollowell at Paola (sic), Indiana, to whom was born one son, John H., who has lived with and cared for his father, Mrs. Clark dying after a little over two years of married life. Mr. Clark has lived in Lucas county since 1866 where he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He was a worthy member of the Salem M.E. church, the I.O.O.F. and A.F. and A.M. lodges. Members from the Chariton and Russell I.O.O.F. lodges attended the funeral on Sabbath which was conducted at Salen (sic) church by Rev. A.W. Armstrong of Russell. He was better known to earlier residents of the county. (Chariton Herald, 24 April 1896)
Note: This death notice has a number of problems, including several typographical errors. A second obituary, no doubt composed by his son, is far more detailed and probably more accurate. That second obituary states that George died on Thursday, April 16, rather than Friday, April 17. This obituary was published as one very long paragraph. I've subdivided it to make it a little easier to digest.
OBITUARY: GEORGE CLARK
Dr. Geo. Clark died at his home in Benton township, this county, on Thursday afternoon, April 16, at the age of seventy-five years, after a long and painful illness. He was one of a family of ten, only one of whom, a brother, William Clark of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, two years his senior, survives him.
He was born in Chatham county, North Carolina, August 22, 1821. In September, 1839, he came with immigrants on foot to Paoli, Indiana. Here he apprenticed himself to a cabinet maker, with whom he formed a partnership after learning his trade. In 1848 he went to Alabama, and from thence to Iowa City, Iowa, in 1850, where he assisted in erecting the first grist mill. In 1851 he made two trips on horsebackto Indiana. He joined the Old Fellows about 1850, and afterwards the Masonic order at Paoli, Indiana. In May, 1853, he took ship at New York for California, going via Panama, crossing the isthmus on foot, reaching San Francisco in June. He spent six years on the Pacific coast, working at the carpenter trade and mining.
He returned to Indiana in July, 1859, remaining there a few weeks and then made a trip to Iowa and back in September. February 7, 1860, he was married to Michal Hollowell in Paoli, Indiana, who died April 28, 1862, leaving to his care a young son, John H., who has been his constant companion during the closing years of his life.
In October, 1864, he came in a covered wagon to Johnson county, Iowa. From thence to Lucas county, April 19, 1866, where he purchased the farm where he has since resided. In early life he united with the Methodist Episcopal church of which he ever remained a praying, Bible-reading member. His health had been declining for several years, and he had only been off his farm once in four years preceding his death.
A long and useful career was that of Mr. Clark. His character was one of the notably strong ones. He was high in his ideals of honor and integrity, talented and just in business affairs and true to duty. He was ever an upright citizen and a kindly gentleman, and the news of his death brought sorrow to the hearts of many friends.
The funeral, conducted by his pastor, Rev. A.W. Armstrong, was held at his late home on Sunday afternoon, April 19, at 2:30 o'clock and was largely attended. After the simple form of service in which his wishes were complied with, he was laid to rest in Salem cemetery, with the ritual service of the Odd Fellows, No. 65 of Chariton and No. 337 of Russell uniting in the last sad rites of burial. (The Chariton Democrat, 24 April 1896)
More about George Clark: Orange County, Indiana, records confirm a marriage date of 7 February 1860 for George Clark and Michel Hollowell.
The 1860 census of Paoli Township, Orange County, online at the Orange County U.S. GenWeb site, shows Household No. 790 consisting of George Clark, 39, a cabinet maker, born in North Carolina, and Michel Clark, age 25, born in Indiana.
Michel Clark, wife of George, who died 28 April 1862, age 28 years and 24 days, is buried at Newberry Friends Cemetery in Paoli Township, as are her parents. There are other Clarks buried there, but it is unclear if they are related. Inscriptions from this cemetery also were found online, at the Orange County U.S. GenWeb Project site.
Michel's parents were John Hallowell, who died 25 August 1847, age 38 years, 10 months and 7 days, and Elizabeth (Lindley) Hallowell, who died 17 April 1864, aged 53 years, 2 months and 1 day. They were married 9 August 1831. Michel (Halloway) Clark may have been named for her father's first wife, Michel (Stout) Holloway, whose Newberry Cemetery inscription is unclear. They were married 20 November 1828.
George and Michel's son, John H. Clark, was listed among the heirs of his grandmother, Elizabeth, during 1864. Her surviving children were daughters Mary, Sarah and Nancy and sons William and Henry Hallowell. The 1850 census of Paoli Township shows that Michel, age 16, apparently was the eldest of the children.
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LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN CLARK
John H. Clark continued to live on the 40-acre farm he had shared with his father until his own death some 30 years later. This was not a conventional farm in terms of the neighborhood since the principal crops were fruit, flowers and vegetables. It was located a half mile slightly southeast of the cemetery on a site clearly visible from it and clearly evident now because of the newer house that sits there at something of an angle. The Clarks also had, at least in the early days, a 20-acre wood lot a mile south on the north bank of the Chariton River, necessary because the home place would have been entirely open prairie without a tree in sight when George and John settled there.
My dad, Daniel Myers, always got a kick out of talking about John and this was one of his favorite stories:
John Clark was a genial, social guy whom everyone in the Salem neighborhood enjoyed having around. He did, however, like the occasional drink of something stronger than lemonade --- most likely his own hard cider. One evening, John Clark invited some of his friends over for a little socializing and they had reached the point of tipsy when a neighbor named Brown stopped by. Brown was another popular resident of the neighborhood because he owned a drag used to smooth out ruts in the road and kept travel in the Salem neighborhood smoother than it was in other parts of Benton Township at a time when folks were expected to take care of their own roads.
Neighbor Brown got tickled at the antics of John and his buddies and started laughing. John Clark arose, took Brown by the elbow and escorted him to the door. "Neighbor," he reportedly said, "I just kicked the cat out through that door and now you're going, too." And out neighbor Brown went.
Late in life, John H. Clark suffered a great calamity when his house burned. Two reports from the Chariton newspapers describe the event and the aftermath and also give more insight into John H. Clark's genial character.
TWO FARM HOUSES BURN EARLY TODAY
John Clark's Home, Fruit Storage House, Are Destroyed
Two buildings on the farm of John Clark, veteran Lucas county fruit grower, were destroyed by fire early today. Loss included Clark's home and furnishings and a nearby house in which he stored fruit and tools.
Approximately 40 bushels of pears were burned. The blaze did not spread to a barn in which approximatey 300 bushels of apples are stored. Clark's farm is in Benton township, about four miles southeast of Chariton.
Included among the furnishings destroyed were some pieces more than a century old, Mr. Clark said. He also lost a valuable stamp collection which he started 60 years ago.
Origin of the blaze has not been definitely traced. It may, however, have been started by an oil stove in the storage house, Mr. Clark believes, although there was no evidence that the stove had exploded. He keeps stoves burning all night to prevent freezing of fruit, and an inspection made by Mr. Clark at 12:15 a.m., before he went to bed, showed them operating perfectly.
Mr. Clark does not know at what time he was awakened by the crackling flames. He at first thought the noise was caused by snow beating against windows. He immediately notified a neighbor by telephone.
The only way out not barred by flames was a locked door to which Clark could not find the key. He escaped from the house through a window. A neighbor halted his efforts to return to the building and attempt to save any of his belongings. Mr. Clark could not estimate the amount of his loss. He had some insurance on the property, he said.
So hurried was the departure of John Clark from his burning home early today that he went through a window wearing two left shoes, one brown, one black. He also was unable to recover the false teeeth which he removed before retiring.
Having no home, Mr. Clark today was puzzled concerning his future plans. "I guess I'll have to sleep before I think bout the future," he said. "If I can find a place to sleep." (The Chariton Patriot, 5 December 1935)
NEIGHBORS RALLY TO AID OF JOHN CLARK;
GENIAL FRUIT GROWER HAS NEW RESIDENCE
Living Quarters Created In Part of Apple Storage Building
A week ago today John Clark, Lucas county fruit grower, was homeless. Today he isn't. The housing of Mr. Clark is another of the myriads of chapters in the story of neighborly friendliness that exists among Lucas county's rural residents.
When fire destroyed Clark's home last Thursday, his neighbors, without hesitation, began construction of new living quarters at his farm four miles southeast of here in Benton township. By Saturday the work was complete.
The new living quarters are not as elaborate or as completely equipped as Clark's former home, but for John Clark, his dog and his cat, "It's a mighty fine place," he says.
To provide a house for Mr. Clark a partition creating one room was made in his large apple storage house. Thebuilding formerly was a barn. The room was given more weather-proof walls, a window and furnishings includinga bed, stove and kitchen utensils.
Mr. Clark need walk but a few steps to the rooms in which row after row of shining apples of every variety are stored waiting sale.
Nearby are the ashes of the house in which Mr. Clark lived for about 32 years and a building in which he stored fruit and tools. Fire destroyed them early last Thursday. Mr. Clark, awakened by the crackling flames, was forced to run into the night without saving any of his furnishings andvaluables.
Included among the furnishings destroyed were some pieces more than a century old. Also lost was a vlauable stamp colection which Mr. Clark started 60 yeas ago, newspaper files covering many years, and a large amount of printer's type. Mr. Clark was a printer before he went into the flower and fruit business on the farm of approxiately 20 acres. He was called there about 32 years ago to care for his father, who was ill, and has lived there ever since. His father lived about two years after the son's return.
"I'm quite well situated now," says the genial John Clark, "but I don't know where I'll live if there's another fire. Maybe we could fix up the hen house in that event, but I'm so tall I bump my head every time I try to stand erect in it." (The Chariton Patriot, 12 December 1935)
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John Clark continued to live on his farm until the late 1930s, when it became unwise for him to live alone. Both he and his father had been members of the I.O.O.F. Lodge, which operated a home for its incapacitated members, as well as an orphanage, in Mason City. John was taken there for the final months of his life.
OBITUARY: JOHN H. CLARK
John H. Clark, well known Lucas county citizen, died at the I.O.O.F. home in Mason City, Iowa, on Wednesday, April 5, 1939, at the age of 78 years, 4 months and 11 days, after a brief illness with kidney trouble.
Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Harry Secor, of the Baptist church, were held at the Miley funeral home in Chariton Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, under the auspices of the I.O.O.F. order, and burial was in the Salem cemetery by the side of his father.
John H. Clark was born in Chapman county, Indiana, (actually, Orange County, Indiana) on December 25, 1860. His mother died at the time of his birth (actually in 1862, two years after his birth), and when he was two years old he came with his father, by covered wagon, to Lucas county, Iowa, and they located on the farm south of Chariton, in Benton township, which has been known for years as the Clark Nursery Farm.
When a young man John learned the printer's trade and for a time worked in newspaper offices in this city. He was then employed for several years in printing establishments in Topeka, Kansas. Later he returned to Lucas county and since the death of his father many years ago has carried on the nursery business at the old home place. He was well known throughout this part of the country and had many friends.
About two months ago he went to the I.O.O.F. home at Mason City, where his death occurred. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge and also of the Knights of Pythias order.
His only known survivors are his cousins, Mrs. Cora McDonnell and Miss Jessie Clark, of Chariton; Frank Clark, of Chicago, Ill.; and Harry Clark, of Luck, Wisc. (The Chariton Leader, Tuesday, 19 December 1939)
SOUTH HALF: LOT NO. 13
Mary Hawk, Owner
There are three known graves on the south half of Lot. No. 13, probably purchased at the time of his death in February of 1892 by Isaac Hawk's widow, Mary (Gabriel) Hawk. The graves of Isaac and Mary are marked by a large upright stone with inscriptions in three faces. The grave of their son, George W., is just to the north. These inscriptions are from south to north:
In loving Remembrance of
ISAAC HAWK
Entered into rest
Feb. 14, 1892
AGED
68Ys, 4Ms, 8D (South Face)
Dear father thou hast left us
We thy loss most deeply feel
But the God who hath bereft us
He can all our sorrows heal
O silent grave to thee we trust
This precious part of earthly dust
Guard it safe O sacred tomb
Until we his children ask for room (West Face)
DEATH NOTICE: ISAAC HAWK
One by one, the old settlers are passing away. On last Sunday afternoon, Feb. 14, Mr. Isaac Hawk, of Benton township, died from the effects of an attack of pneumonia. He had been sick about ten days, and his extreme old age made the attack especially severe. Mr. Hawk was 70 years of age and had lifed in the county over thirty years.
The remains were laid to rest in the Salem cemetery on Tuesday, a large number of the neighbors following them to their last resting place. (The Chariton Democrat, 18 February 1892, Page 10)
At Home With God
MARY
DIED
Mar. 13, 1909
AGED
83Ys, 6Ms, 6Ds (North Face)
OBITUARY: MARY HAWK
Mrs. Mary Hawk died at her residence, 700 E. Linden ave., on Saturday, March 13th, at 4:00 a.m. of pneumonia. Her illness was of but few days' duration. Mary Gabriel was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, on Sept. 7, 1825. In early womanhood she married Isaac Hawk and lived there until 1870 with her husband and family when she moved to Lucas county, Iowa, settling in Benton township. Seventeen years ago death claimed her husband and she and her devoted daughter, Miss Cidna, removed to Chariton and have ever since lived in the little home where she breathed her last on earth. Seven years ago she met with a terrible affliction in the loss of her sight, and in all these years of darkness no word of complaint or repining at her sad lot crossed her lips, but rather, it was no unusual thing to hear her sweet, aged voice raised in songs of praise. It can truthfully be said that she had not an enemy in the world and all who knew her can testify that she has been a lesson in patience to all who came in touch with the sweetness of her life. At the age of fifteen she united with the M.E. church and has always been a loyal christian woman. Sister Hawk was ever true to what she deemed to be right; she was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a true friend. She leaves to mourn their loss a half sister and half brother, seven children, twenty-one grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. But they sorrow not as those who have not hope; she was ready and waiting for the change and could sing as she looked into the grave and beyond it.
"We shall sleep but not forever,
There will be a glorious dawn,
We shall meet to part, no never,
On the resurrection morn."
The children who today mourn the loss of a good mother are Mr. G.W. Hawk, Berdan, California; Mrs. Eliza Wagoner, Des Moines, Iowa; Mrs. Elizabeth Spragg, Sonora, Ohio; Mrs. Martha Douglass, Mrs. Susan Scott, Miss Cidna Hawk Chariton, Mrs. Eva Arnold, Garden Grove, Iowa.
Largely attended funeral services, conducted by her pastor, Rev. Dr. A.H. Lathrop, were held at the M.E. church Tuesday forenoon at 10:30 o'clock, after which interment took place in the Salem cemetery. The sorrowing relatives have the sympthy of a host of friends in their grief. (The Chariton Herald, 18 March 1909)
GEORGE W. HAWK
DEC. 12, 1860
OCT. 10, 1933
OBITUARY: GEORGE W. HAWK
George W. Hawk died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Cidna Branner, east Court avenue, Chariton, Iowa, on Tuesday morning, October 10, 1933, at the age of 72 years, 9 months and 28 days, after an extended illness with tuberculosis.
Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Frederick Nichol, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, were held at the Beardsley Funeral home on Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, followed by burial in the Salem cemetery.
George W. Hawk, son of Isaac and Mary Hawk, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, on December 12, 1860. When ten years old he came with his parents to Lucas county, Iowa, locating in the Salem neighborhood, soth of Chariton, where he grew to young manhood. About forty-five years ago he went to California and for forty-one years was employed in that state in the lumber mills. His health became impaired and he came to the home of his sister in Chariton four years ago last July, where he had since made his home and had been tenderly cared for. He was of a quiet but pleasing disposition, ever thoughtful of and kind to those about him, and made warm friends of all with whom he came in contact. He had been a member of the Knights of Pythias order in California for many years.
He is survived by five sisters, Mrs. Cidna Branner and Mrs. Mattie Wilson, of Chariton; Mrs. Morris Arnold, of Garden Grove, Iowa; Mrs. Geo. Scott, of Indianola, Iowa; Mrs. Elizabeth Spragg, of Coshocoton, Ohio. His parents and one sister, Mrs. Eliza Waggoner, preceded him in death. (The Chariton Herald-Patriot, 12 October 1933, Page 5)
