E. N. CLARK, fruit grower, P. O. Cobden. Among the fruit-growers in this township who have been active in developing the fruit interests of the county, we find Mr. Clark. He was born in 1823, in Milford, Conn., six miles from New Haven; both his parents, and all their children, were born in the same town. Our subject's father, Alpheus Clark, was born March, 1795, died in New York, November, 1874. His mother is still living, and is about eighty years of age. In 1833, Mr. Clark's parents moved to New York, settling first in Monroe County, but afterward removed to Lockport, N. Y., and there our subject remained, until coming to this county, in the spring of 1858. In early life he followed carpentering and ship building, but for two years previous to coming here, he was engaged in the flour business in Lockport. When coming to this county, Mr. Clark brought several varieties of strawberry plants; these he set out, also planted pears, peaches, etc. In 1859, he made an exhibit of twelve varieties of strawberries, which he had grown, at the fair at Jonesboro. He received the first premium. He has continued since to be quite successful as a strawberry grower. When he first bought his farm, the previous owner told him that grass would not grow here, and in fact at that time there was but little grass to be found in the country, none along the roadsides, etc. However, between Cobden and Jonesboro, there had been a few acres of clover sown by two Northern railroad contractors, and this field fully proved that clover was well adapted to this soil. In New York, June, 1854, our subject was married to Miss Frances E. Goodrich. She was born January 31, 1828, in New York, to William and Betsie Ann (Gibbs) Goodrich. William Goodrich was born in New England September 28, 1786, died November 9, 1863. Betsie Gibbs was born near Great Barrington, Mass., July 12, 1788, died October 22, 1843. They were the parents of five sons and five daughters. One son, I. G. Goodrich, and four daughters are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have two children — Ed. S. and Kittle. In politics, he is a Republican.
Extracted 30 Aug 2019 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, pages 122-123.
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