Clark Family History
As compiled by Janet Clark
December 3, 2005
The lineage of Luther Green Clark can be traced eight generations.
Generation 1: John Clark
John Clark was the earliest ascendant who was born about 1780 in Craven County, North Carolina and died in 1808 in North Carolina. John was married to Sarah Bond in 1786 in Hanover, North Carolina. Sarah was born about 1784 in Craven County, North Carolina.
John and Sarah had four boys, James Webster born April 10, 1806, Brinson B, Hosea W born about 1800 and John J.
Generation 2: James Webster Clark
James was born in April 10, 1806 in Edgecomb Crenshaw County, North Carolina and died in 1892 in Vienna, Dooley County, North Carolina. James married Harriet Lovey Kelley June 18, 1829, in Montgomery Montgomery County, Alabama. Harriet was born August 17, 1806 and died July 27, 1878 in McKenzie Butler County, Alabama. James and Harriet had seven children. Wyatt Lindsey born March 13, 1813, James M born May 7, 1834, William, Mary Jane, born May 6, 1828, Luzia born October 18, 1830, John H born January 5, 1837 and Harriet born April 30, 1839.
Generation 3: Wyatt Lindsey Clark
Wyatt was born March 13, 1813 in North Carolina and died July 10, 1896 in Little Rock Pulaski County, Arkansas. He married Chloe Ann Lee in 1838 in Tennessee. Chloe was born in 1820 in Athens McMinn County, Tennessee and died in 1869 in Cookeville White County, Tennessee.
Generation 4: John Wesley Clark
John, son of Wyatt and Chloe, was born November 22, 1848 in Sparta White County Tennessee and died July 23, 1931 in Brinkman Greet County, Oklahoma. John married Mary Ann Herndon on June 20, 1875. Mary Ann was born July 31, 1855 and died August 13, 1882 in Fannin County, Texas. Mary Ann was the daughter of Greene Smith Herndon and Mesena F Dart. Mary Ann and John had two children Cora Lee born November 26, 1876 and Luther Green born September 15, 1878 and would die when Luther was only 4 years old. After Mary Ann died, her cousin Mesena was sent by her father Hiram Herndon from Pike County, Alabama to Texas to care for Cora and Luther and ended up marrying John on August 30, 1883. They would have seven more children beginning with Minnie Lee born November 29, 1884, Ollie Elizabeth born June 28, 1886, Mattie Delilah born May 10, 1889, John Floyd born September 19, 1890, Claude Holmes born May 24, 1893, Annie Sewell born February 8, 1896 and Laura Mae born February 2, 1899. Mesena would rear all 9 children. Mesena Elmira Ann Herndon was born January 2, 1858 in Pike County, Alabama and died May 25, 1923 in Brinkman Greer County, Oklahoma.
Generation 5: Luther Green Clark
Luther had 1 sister, 5 half sisters and 2 half brothers. He and Genie had 9 children (5 boys and 4 girls)
Luther was born September 15, 1878 in Trenton Fannin County, Texas and died of heart disease on August 25, 1954 in Mangum Greer County, Oklahoma. He married Mary Emily Maggenie Weatherbee on October 25, 1903 in Fannin County, Texas.Genie was born June 18, 1883 in Franklin Macon County, Alabama. After L G died, she would go to live with her youngest son Don Kenneth in San Juan, Texas. She would live there for the rest of her life and died in the nursing home at Pharr, Texas on August 6, 1965.
Genie and LG would have nine children Bernice Carmine born August 2, 1904, Elton Earl born October 27, 1906, Bessie Marie (Bess) born December 5, 1908, Othal Ralph (Jack) born September 3, 1911, Oran Stanley (OS) born April 3, 1914, Mary Lou born March 17, 1916, Gordon Wendell Holmes (Dell) born March 27, 1919, Geraldine Elizabeth (Dean) born February 26, 1922 and Don Kenneth born May 5, 1924.
Generation 6: Grandchildren of LG and Genie Clark
The 31 grandchildren of LG and Genie Clark include a set of twins and a set of triplets. There are 18 boys and 13 girls.
Peggy Jeanne Clark born March 23, 1936, Bobbi Sue Clark born August 2, 1937, Thomas Luther Clark born January 5, 1939, Ralph Clark Newcomb (Clark) born November 27, 1939, Billie Sue Clement (renamed Billie Hope Clement Almeda) born October 14, 1941, Mary Beth Newcomb born December 16, 1943, Gary Dell Flake (renamed Dell Kabir) born February 10, 1944, John Lawrence Banister born October 7, 1944, Carolyn Fay Newcomb born August 11, 1945, Dr Kenneth Dell Banister born October 11, 1946, Jerald Don (Jerry) Clark born May 31, 1947, Timothy Earl (Tim) Flake born July 17, 1947, Larry Dell (Buddy) Clark born January 19, 1948, Terry Allen Clark born December 25, 1948, Janet Dean (Tootsie) Clark born April 30, 1950, Patricia Elaine (Pat) Clark born October 18, 1950, Donald Martin Clark born June 3, 1951, Thomas Clark (Tommy) Banister born January 11, 1952, Jackie Sue Clark born September 3, 1952, Danny Flake born May 31, 1953, David Flake born May 31, 1953, Carol Jean Clark born March 8, 1954, David Gordon Clark born January 3, 1956, Mary Sue Banister born November 17, 1956, Kay Elaine Clark born March 26, 1957, Mark Stanley Clark born March 11, 1959, Patti Jo Clark born November 26, 1961, Rena Diane Clark born December 28, 1962, Cary Andrew Clark born February 17, 1964, Chris Blake Clark born February 17, 1964, Charles Edward Clark born February 17, 1964.
Generation 7: Great Grandchildren of LG and Genie Clark
The 31 grandchildren of LG and Genie had 53 children. Of those 31 are boys and 22 are girls.
Glenda Roylene (Biddy) Marion born May 12, 1960, Pepper Darnell deRoulac (Dee) born May 26, 1961, John Randall (Randy) Clark born August 24, 1961, Kendall Clark Marion born October 1, 1961, Sabra Kay deRoulac born March 29, 1965, Belinda Lee Clark born April 11, 1965, Eric Lee born October 15, 1965, Matthew Clement (Matt) Schimel born January 17, 1966, Kevin Tim Flake born September 13, 1967, Jeffrey Alan (Jeff) Marion born February 1, 1968, Tonia Lynn McKenry born January 18, 1969, Richard Earl Marion born June 24, 1969, Dawn Theresa Clark born July 27, 1969, Jacqueline Elaine (Jacque)Marlin born August 29, 1969, Christine Elizabeth (Christy) McKenry born January 20, 1971, Tracey Jerald Clark born August 2, 1971, Christopher Eric Banister born September 9, 1971, Jeffrey Todd (Jeff) born July 10, 1973, Leigh Amarie (Amarie) Schimel born August 26, 1974, Tara Beth Bradshaw born November 25, 1974, Melissa Ann McKenry born December 20, 1974, Bradley Don (Brad) Clark born September 26, 1975, Wendy Lee Flake born July 3, 1976, Michael Wayne (Mike) Clark born January 21, 1977, Kellee Jean Boldt born February 9, 1977, Nicole Dominique Clark born February 23, 1977, Teague Everette Banister born September 17, 1977, Daniel Albert (Danny) Ashjian born November 24, 1977, Julie Ann Bradshaw born December 15, 1977, Jason Robert Marlin born September 10, 1977, Steffani Leigh Wilson born July 24, 1978, Jennifer Nichole Gambrel Kuykendall born July 29, 1978, Bryan Thomas Banister born October 1, 1978, Ryan Anthony Clark born November 23, 1980, Zane Lawrence Banister born March 21, 1981 and died November 25, 2005, Jessie Ann Tilson Clark born September 1, 1981, David Paul Ashjian born August 6, 1982, Curtis Blake Clark born November 15, 1983, Jeremy Scott Branson born August 29, 1983, Marci Sue Black born September 26, 1983, Megan Dawn Kuykendall born December 18, 1984, Lindsay Michelle Clark born January 17, 1986, Thomas Lincoln Clark born January 13, 1989, Michael Christopher Flake born October 6, 1989, Morgan Clark Black born February 7, 1990, Stephen Kyle (Kyle) Clark born June 26, 1990, Chad Michael Wheatley born July 19, 1990, Caitlin Marie Flake born October 5, 1990, Mark Anthony Clark born March 3, 1991, Matthew Aaron Clark born September 25, 1991, Joshua Shane Clark born October 19, 1994, Shannon Michelle Flake born October 27, 1994, Chase Clark Wheatley born July 16, 1997
Generation 8: Great Great Grandchildren of LG and Genie Clark
The 53 great grandchildren of LG and Genie have 39 children. Of those 25 are boys and 14 are girls.
Rachel Nicole Clark born March 31, 1984, Casey Lawrence Schimel born August 1985, Mark Joseph (Joey) Halverson, Jr born September 6, 1985, Justin Ryan Clark born June 3, 1987, Marcus Lee Packer born June 27, 1989, Chase Segura Schimel born November 18, 1989, Chance Schimel born Nov, John Matthew deRoulac born November 10, 1990, Justun Matthew Kukuk born March 9, 1992, Stephen Michael Seminerio born October 31, 1992, Elijah Micah Seminerio born March 25, 1993, James Thomas deRoulac born June 3, 1993, Ashley Elizabeth Leo born February 15, 1994, Sabra Joy Lynn Clark born February 22, 1994, Micah Ray Hunter born March 23, 1994, Jami Elizabeth deRoulac born October 10, 1994, Hunter Levy Whyte born November 25, 1994, Kyler Todd Clark born August 16, 1995, Christina Nicole Leo born January 8, 1996, Braden Ryan Bradshaw born September 22, 1997, Avery Michelle Allwein born November 9, 1998, Brianna Madonna Leo born June 30, 1999, Samuel David Seminerio born March 20, 2000, Chandler Reagan Smith born December 31, 2000, Hannah Rose Seminerio born July 14, 2001, Aislin Koja born July 15, 2001, Jack Robert Marlin born September 26, 2001, Coby Blake Stechmann born August 22, 2002, Joshua James Seminerio born February 25, 2003, Johnathon Franklin (Frankie) Rollins born April 16, 2003, Sarah Katherine Bingham born May 14, 2003, Logan David Stechmann born September 17, 2003, Lena Jacqulene Black born January 6, 2004, Ethan Alan Banister born 2004, Liberty Jean (Libby) born August 20, 2004, David Lincoln (Lincoln) Rollins born February 23, 2005, Andrew Nicholas Bingham born July 7, 2005, Layla Elaine Wilson born November 30, 2005, Emma Gracelynn Banister born December 20, 2005.
Weatherbee Family History
As compiled by Janet Clark
December 3, 2005
The origins of Mary Emily Maggenie Weatherbee Clark can be traced back eleven generations to a group of religious dissenters called Huguenots (spelled Heudouin in French) in the 1680's from Rouen, France. The Huguenots were French Protestants, most of whom eventually came to follow the teachings of John Calvin, and who, due to religious persecution, were forced to flee France to other countries in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Some remained, practicing their Faith in secret.
Huguenots, name given to the Protestants of France from about 1560 to 1629. Protestantism was introduced into France between 1520 and 1523, and its principles were accepted by many members of the nobility, the intellectual classes, and the middle class. At first the new religious group enjoyed royal protection, notably from Queen Margaret of Navarre and her brother, King Francis I of France. Toward the end of his reign, however, Francis persecuted the Protestants; his successor, Henry II, followed his example. Nevertheless, the French Protestants increased in number. At their first national synod (1559), or council, 15 churches were represented. At the next, held two years later, more than 2000 churches sent representatives.
The Protestant Reformation began by Martin Luther in Germany about 1517, spread rapidly in France, especially among those having grievances against the established order of government. As Protestantism grew and developed in France it generally abandoned the Lutheran form, and took the shape of Calvinism. The new "Reformed religion" practiced by many members of the French nobility and social middle-class, based on a belief in salvation through individual faith without the need for the intercession of a church hierarchy and on the belief in an individual's right to interpret scriptures for themselves, placed these French Protestants in direct theological conflict with both the Catholic Church and the King of France in the theocratic system which prevailed at that time. Followers of this new Protestantism were soon accused of heresy against the Catholic government and the established religion of France, and a General Edict urging extermination of these heretics (Huguenots) was issued in 1536. Nevertheless, Protestantism continued to spread and grow, and about 1555 the first Huguenot church was founded in a home in Paris based upon the teachings of John Calvin. The number and influence of the French Reformers (Huguenots) continued to increase after this event, leading to an escalation in hostility and conflict between the Catholic Church/State and the Huguenots. Finally, in 1562, some 1200 Huguenots were slain at Vassey, France, thus igniting the French Wars of Religion which would devastate France for the next thirty-five years.
The Edict of Nantes, signed by Henry IV in April, 1598, ended the Wars of Religion, and allowed the Huguenots some religious freedoms, including free exercise of their religion in 20 specified towns of France.
Under Henry IV the Huguenots then became a strong power in France. To break this power, which stood in the way of the absolutist type of government that the next two kings of France, Louis XIII and, particularly, Louis XIV, wished to impose on the country, both monarchs instigated new persecutions of the Huguenots, and new civil wars took place. The French statesman and cardinal Richelieu caused the political downfall of the Huguenots with the capture in 1628, after a long siege, of their principal stronghold, La Rochelle. Thereafter, he sought to conciliate the Protestants. Louis XIV, however, persecuted them mercilessly, and on October 18, 1685, he revoked the Edict of Nantes. Finding life in France intolerable under the ensuing persecutions and evaporation of religious liberty, hundreds of thousands of Huguenots fled to England, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the English colonies in North America, including Massachusetts, Virginia, New York, and South Carolina. The total emigration is believed to have been about 200,000, with about 1 million Protestants remaining in France.
When Mark Hardin (the first generation of Genie Weatherbee Clark) was 25 years old, Louis XIV, revoked the Edict of Nantes in October, 1685. This began a new persecution of the Huguenots, and Mark Hardin's family along with hundreds of thousands of Huguenots fled France to other countries. The Promulgation of the Edict of Toleration in November, 1787, partially restored the civil and religious rights of Huguenots in France. Since the Huguenots of France were in large part artisans, craftsmen, and professional people, they were usually well-received in the countries to which they fled for refuge when religious discrimination or overt persecution caused them to leave France. Most of them went initially to Germany, the Netherlands, and England, although some found their way eventually to places as remote as South Africa. Considerable numbers of Huguenots migrated to British North America, especially to the Carolinas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. Their character and talents in the arts, sciences, and industry were such that they are generally felt to have been a substantial loss to the French society from which they had been forced to withdraw, and a corresponding gain to the communities and nations into which they settled.
Generation 1: Mark Hardin
Mark Hardin was the earliest ascendant who was born or October 20, 1660 in Rouen and died May1, 1735 in Prince William County, Virginia. His family emigrated to England or Wales, then onto Canada and would end up in Prince William County, Virginia in 1706. He would live there until his death in 1735. Mark was married to Mary Hogue in 1707 in Stafford, Virginia. Mary was born in 1665 in Bretagne Province, France and died in 1735 in Stafford, Virginia.
The following quote is from Pigsby Historic Georgia Families, Chapter VIII, pg 65-66.
“When [Mark Hardin] was about 25 years of age, Louis XIV issued the edict of Restoration, October 20, 1685, which had the affect of revoking the edict of Nantes. Mark Hardin was a Huguenot and immediately fled from France, settling either in England or Wales. He married Mary Hogue, also spelled Hoge, but whether the marriage occurred before or after he fled France is uncertain. Residing a short while in England or Wales, he later move to Canada with his family, but because of the rigid winters, came South and settled in Virginia about 1706, where he resided in Prince William County until his death in 1734. (His will was probated on May 1, 1735. Therefore, he probably died in 1735).
Generation 2: Henry Hardin
Mark and Mary had a son they named Henry who was born in 1710 in Prince William County, Virginia and died on May 26, 1796 in Warren County, Georgia. Henry married Judith Lynch in 1730, in Prince William County, Virginia. Judith died around 1800 in Pittsylvania Pittsylvania, Virginia. Henry and Judith had a son named for his grandfather Mark Hardin.
Generation 3: Mark Hardin
This Mark was born in 1735 in Pittsylvania County,Virginia and died November 1817 in Warren County, Georgia. He married Mary Hester Hunter in 1736 in Pittsylvania Pittsylvania, Virginia. After she died in 1781, he married Frances Newsome in Georgia and moved then from Virginia to North Carolina and finally to Georgia.
Generation 4: John Henry Hardin
John Henry, son of Mark and Mary, was born April 12, 1761 in Johnson County North Carolina and died November 12, 1843 in Walton County, Georgia. John married Sara Cook February 1781 in Johnson County, North Carolina. Sara was the daughter of Benjamin Cook, a Baptist preacher. Sara was born June 11, 1763 in North Carolina and died June 1 or 7, 1835 in Monroe Walton County, Georgia. She was the mother of all of John's children. John would later marry Matilda Jones. John Henry was a Second Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War. He and his wife are buried in Monroe, Georgia. The Daughter's of the American Revolution (DAR) marked his grave (DAR#120459), see McCall, Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers of Georgia, pg 84. Also see Rigsby's Historic Georgia Families, pg 65-66.
John Henry and Sara had eight children. The fifth child was Benjamin Cook Hardin.
Generation 5: Benjamin Cook Hardin
Benjamin was born November 16, 1792 in Walton County, Georgia and married Elizabeth Hearne on December 7, 1815 in Putnam County, Georgia. To this union was born Rhoda Ann Hardin. Benjamin died December 10, 1847 in Walker County, Georgia. Elizabeth was born January 29, 1799 in Hancock County, Georgia and died in 1859 in Walker County, Georgia. If there was a Will for Benjamin it was lost in the Walker County, Georgia fire.
Generation 6: Rhoda Ann Hardin
Rhoda was born March 5, 1828 in Walker County, Georgia. She died April 8, 1886 in Fannin County, Texas. She married William Patterson Shaw on April 18, 1844 in Walker County, Georgia. He was born on November 11, 1819 in Morgan Calhoun County, Georgia and died on April 13, 1886 in Franklin Red Bay County, Alabama. To their union was born sixteen children (12 sons, 4 daughters). Fourteen of the 16 children migrated to Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Generation 7: Almeda Elizabeth Jane Shaw
Almeda was one of the four daughters born to Rhoda Hardin. Almeda was born February 9, 1854 in Lafayette Walker County, Georgia and died March 31, 1929 in Ector Fannin County, Texas. She married Woodward Alexander Weatherbee on November 15, 1875.
Generation 8: Mary Emily Maggenie Weatherbee
Genie was born June 18, 1883 in Franklin, Macon County, Alabama. She died August 6, 1965 in Pharr Hidalgo County, Texas while living with her youngest son Don Kenneth Clark. Genie married Luther Green Clark on October 25, 1903 in Fannin County, Texas. Luther was born September 15, 1878 in Trenton Fannin County, Texas. He died on August 25, 1954 in Mangum Greer County, Oklahoma.
Generation 9: Bernice, Elton, Bess, Othal Ralph (Jack), Oran Stanley (OS), Mary Lou, Gordon (Dell), Geraldine (Jerry), Don
Generation 10: Billie Sue, Peggy, Bobby, Tommy, Mary Beth, Caroline, Clark, Jerry, Patricia, Gary, Tim, Danny, David, Larry, Terry, Janet, Donald, Jackie, Carol, David, Kay, Mark, Patti, Rena, Cary, Chris, Charles, Johnny, Kenneth, Thomas and Mary Sue
Clark & Weatherbee
Family History
Compiled in 2005 by Janet Clark from various documents
The Clark family history goes far beyond the compilation of these findings. As time goes on more will be discovered and added to the story of our beginnings and journey to who and where we are today. The earliest account of the Clarks we are related to is the late 1700's when Hosea W Clark was born somewhere in North Carolina. Grandpa Luther Clark's Mother was Mary Ann Herndon. Her family is traced all the way back to 1144 in Kent County, England. They migrated to New Kent County, Virginia where William Herndon patented land in 1673. His wife was Catherine Digges, a daughter of Edward Digges who was Governor of the Colony of Virginia in 1655. (Refer to copy of excerpt to The Descendants of William and Sarah (Poe) Herndon by Ruth Herndon Shields, 1956). Mary Ann's father was Greene Smith Herndon. He was born in Georgia and died in Savoy, Texas.
The Weatherbee lineage can only be traced to her father Woodward Weatherbee who was born in Georgia in 1855. There were more accounts of the name being spelled Weatherbee than Weatherby. The legal spelling is not known. Our Grandma Genie Weatherbee's Mother was Almeda E Jane Shaw. Almeda's father William Shaw who goes back to England in the late 1600's. Almeda's mother was Rhoda Hardin whose history goes back to the mid 1600's in Holland or France. (Info was conflicting) Rhoda's Mother was a Hearne who goes back to 1550's in Chearsley, England.
The Hardin family information was gathered largely from the daughters of the American Revolution and the Huguenot society. Mark Hardin left Rouen, France when King Louis XIV issued the Edict of Restoration on October 20, 1685 requiring all Protestants to convert to Catholicism or leave the country. Mark being a Huguenot, immediately fled France for England or Wales. He married Mary Hogue. Since the Queen of England required all citizens to be Catholic as well they moved onto Canada with his family. But because of the rigid winters the Hardins decided to come to America so they settled in Virginia about 1706 in Prince William County. He would then live out the rest of his life there. The later generations of Hardins moved from Virginia to North Carolina to Georgia. Henry Hardin was a 2ND Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War. He and his wife are buried in Monroe, Georgia. His son Benjamin married Elizabeth Hearne (parents of Rhoda Ann Hardin, grandmother of Genie Weatherbee-our Grandma). Rhoda was born in Walker County, Georgia. She married William Shaw who died in Franklin County, Alabama in 1886. Rhoda and William had 4 daughters and 12 sons. Almeda was born in 1854 in Walker County, Georgia. It is thought that 14 of the children migrated to Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. It was in Franklin County, Alabama that Grandma Genie was born in 1883. Grandma moved with her parents to Fannin County, Texas between 1883-1894 as her Grandma Rhoda was with them in Texas when she died in 1894.
Hosea W Clark, Sr married Sarah Bond sometime around 1800 in North Carolina. They had four children. Hosea W Jr, Brinson B, John J and James Webster who was born April 10, 1806. He died in 1808. After Hosea Clark, Sr died, Sarah Bond went on to marry Jonathon Williams who is the father of Robert Lee Williams born December 20, 1868 in Brundidge, Pike County, Alabama. He would later migrate and become Governor of Oklahoma in 1919. He would never marry nor have children. Jonathon Williams was a Revolutionary War veteran. He was certainly one of the first settlers in Pike County, Alabama; having settled in Pike only 2-3 years after the county was created in 1821. There is a large marble monument at the site of the original log church established by the Williams family. This site is in a pasture about 3 miles southeast of Brundidge, Alabama. It says:
Here lies Jonathon Williams, born in the colony of Connecticut on April 17, 1764 died in Dixon's Precinct, Pike County, Alabama on March 11, 1836. He married Miss Frances Cowart in Craven County, North Carolina where Frances died on February 10, 1812. He then married Sarah Bond, buried to his left side on April 2, 1815. In 1824, he settled on Bear Creek in Pike County, Alabama. He enlisted in Beardsley's Colonial Regiment in 1778 in Danbury, Connecticut. He served until the war closed.
James Webster Clark came from Edgecombe County, North Carolina to Overton County, Tennessee with his wife Harriett Lovey Kelley and their children James, William, Henry and Wyatt Lindsey Clark.
Wyatt Lindsey is the father of John Wesley and grandfather of Luther Green. He was born in 1813 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina and died in 1896 near Little Rock, Arkansas. Wyatt married Chloe Ann Lee probably in the 1840's but I couldn't find any records documenting this. Luther's Dad, John Wesley Clark was born November 22, 1848 near Sparta in White County, Tennessee. He grew up in this area but at the age of 21 his mother Chloe died in 1869 in White County, Tennessee. She lived 49 years. Our Clark beginnings in Texas began soon after Chloe's death when JW moved with his father to Fannin County, Texas. Wyatt Lindsey Clark went on to marry Louisa Smith-Dixon in Texas, had 9 more children (James 1844, Andrew Jackson 1845, Rachel 1847, John Wesley 1848, Mollie 1850, Nancy 1851, William Penn 1853, Sarah Jane 1854, Tom C 1857, Waymon Johnson 1858) John Wesley died July 29, 1931 and his brother Waymon died August of 1931when he was told that John Wesley died. Wyatt Lindsey then moved to Little Rock to live out the rest of his years. He was a Baptist. All his children were Baptists except Aunt Minnie and Mattie. They were members of the Church of Christ. Two of Wyatt's brothers were said to have gone to Missouri shortly before the Civil War and were never heard from again by Wyatt.
John Wesley being an adult, more than likely stayed in Fannin County, Texas when his Dad moved to Little Rock. John Wesley and Mary Ann Herndon were married more than likely in the 1870's but we have no record of a marriage date. Aunt Cora and Grandpa were born in Earth, Texas. Mary Ann had Aunt Cora and Luther. When Grandpa was 4 years old his Mother died at the age of 27. Mary Ann's father, Greene Herndon asked his niece Mesena Herndon to come to Texas to care for her two orphan children, Cora and Luther. She went and a year later John Wesley married Mary Ann's cousin Mesena Elmira Herndon. Mesena and John Wesley would not only raise Cora and Luther but would also have children of their own. They were Minnie, Ollie, Mattie, John Floyd, Claude, Annie and Laura who were born in Trenton and Leonard, Texas. Grandpa was 21 when Laura, his last sibling was born. Seven years later he and Grandma moved to Oklahoma. John Wesley and Mesena both died in Brinkman, Oklahoma, he at the age of 83, on July 23, 1931 and she May 25, 1923 at the age of 68.
Granddad John Wesley Clark owned land near Willow, Oklahoma, just south of the town and land ½ south, 2 west and ½ south of Brinkman and also ½ south, 1 west and 1 ½ south of Brinkman. He also owned land in New Mexico near Mountain Air. They lived on 320 acres ½ south, 2 west and ½ south. His people came from North Carolina, to While County, Tennessee. Then on to Overton and Putnam counties and then to Grayson and Fannin County, Texas.
Luther and Mary E M Weatherbee were married in 1903. Their firstborn, Aunt Bern came along 10 months later when grandma was 21 years old and grandpa was 26. Two years later baby Elton was born Oct 27th. That same month in 1906, the family of four moved to Greer County, Oklahoma. The remaining 7 children were all born on the farm in Brinkman, Oklahoma between 1908 and 1922.
There were several protestant preachers, two Governors, many farmers, some had retail establishments and many served our country in the armed forces.
John Wesley Clark
November 22, 1848-July 23, 1931
Written by grandaughter Lazelle Clark Houck
J W Clark was born in Tennessee in the year 1848, November 22. He grew up in Tennessee, but later moved to Fannin County, Texas. Texas at that time was not so well-developed. John Wesley filed on a claim in Fannin County that was covered in timber and he started to work clearing if off and making a home for himself. He has often told how he had to look out for wild hogs and other wild animals as he worked or went about his chores in those early days.
In the year 1874 he met and married Mary Ann (Mollie) Heardon. To this union was born two children. Cora Lee on November 26, 1876, and Luther Green on September 15, 1878. Mollie did not live very long, but went to her reward on August 14, 1881.
John Wesley did not give up his children, but stayed on his farm and found time to be both Mother and Father to his two small children. In the year 1882 a cousin of his late wife came from Alabama to visit her Aunt and Uncle Green Herndon of Savoy, Texas, who was the Mother and Father of Mary Ann (Mollie), J W's late wife. This cousin was Mesena Elmira Ann Herndon. And with her Aunt and Uncle she visited JW and the two grandchildren.
I have heard Mesena say it was love at first sight. They were married August 30, 1883 and lived on the farm where JW had worked so hard to make a home. For two years Mesena was a Mother to the two small children who were 4 and 6 years of age.
Then in the year 1884 on November 29, a daughter was born to JW and Mesenah. They named her Minnie Lee. She was a dainty little lassie and a very welcome addition to the family and the center of attraction for two years until another daughter came to take her place in their midst on June 28, 1886. This one was named Ollie Elizabeth and was loved dearly.
After three years there came another little girl and made herself a place in their lives. She was small of stature but a bundle of energy. They called her Mattie Delilah and her birth date was May 10, 1889. Soon after on September 19, 1890 the first son of this union made his appearance and they named him John, for his Dad, and Floyd to be called.
JW is having a very busy time feeding and clothing his little family and trying to improve his farm. But the country is new and black land very fertile. JW has learned, along with the other settlers to plant and raise as much of their food as possible.
The towns of Trenton, Texas and Leonard, Texas are growing up on either side of them. As orchard has been planted and is beginning to bear fruit.
Then on May 24, 1893 another son comes into the home. This one they named Claude Holmes. He is a welcome playmate for his brother who is now a big boy of three years. These two boys are constant companions through their boyhoods climbing trees, hunting for nuts in the fall, riding the calves and helping their big brother, Luther and the Father with the chores.
The home has been enlarged. There are now two big rooms with connecting fireplace that opens in each room, a porch that runs completely across the front and a bedroom boxed up on the end of the porch. There is a long room running off to the north that served as kitchen and dining room. A big home comfort range sets at one end and a huge wood box has to be filled each day, which is a good job for two small boys with a bigger brother to help with the cutting of the wood.
Then fate decrees. There shall be two more girls added to this group, Annie Sewell made her appearance on February 8, 1896. She is a little lady with long dark hair, a blue eye and a grey one.
The older girls are growing up now and they think this little sister a very nice addition to their number. The oldest sister is a big girl now and has boy friends, but it seems one in particular is preferred above the others, so on January 5, 1897 Allen Foutch leads her to the parson and they say "I do".
But soon the place she has left vacant is occupied by another girl born on February 2, 1899. This was the last child born to this union and they named her Laura Mae. Where a little sister had long black hair, Laura Mae was noted for her bald head. This lasted until she was about three years of age.
The family has grown up now until the older boys and girls are young men and women having friends in the home and going places together. A school has been built near called Corenth and served as community center. Church services are held in it and the 3R's are carried on. Some of the teachers of that day are well remembered. They are Lockett Simmons, Grace Mitchell and others.
The finances of the Clark family had increased through the effort of the Father, Mother and all the children, until they were in the comfortable farm enjoying their lives together.
A surrey with a fringe on the top was bought and a lovelier conveyance was never ridden in or one more appreciated. Where the family had gone to Church and town in a wagon or on foot, now they rode in style in the sparkling black, rubber tired surrey with the fringe on the top waving in the breeze. Pulled by two fat horses, it was a beautiful sight and made us all feel very grand.
Many happy winter evenings were spent around the fireplace, roasting potatoes and eggs wrapped in a wet cloth buried in the ashes, popping corn in a huge wire popper, and eating apples from the barrel stored in a closet by the huge fireplace.
When the ice was on the ground the Father would make a sled by turning a cane bottom chair on its back and placing the smaller children on it would take them for a merry ride while the older children wore out their shoes skating to and fro.
In the summer there were ice-cream parties given in the shade of the trees in the back yard near a well of water that was treasured for the purity and coolness.
These happy times were shared by friends and relatives. Among them were Aunt Mary Cox and her children who had moved from Alabama to Texas and soon her husband passed on and left her with a large family of children to care for. She has an old darkey, who had lived with her since she married, called Tony. Tony would turn the ice cream freezer and tease the small children. When the ice-cream had frozen, he would call to JW and say "Uncle John it's ripe". This would call for a scurrying for bowls and a laugh from everyone.
The canning and the drying of fruit in the summer and hog killing in the winter were all special events.
To dry fruit, long boards were fixed on saw horses and covered with cloth. The fruit was split and placed face up on the cloth. Each evening it was taken in. In the morning it was spread out again until dry. Friends and neighbors helped each other and made the work more pleasant.
In the winter when butchering was done the neighbors came again and a feasting and merry time was had by all.
Into this family Luther Green brought his new wife (Genie Weatherby) on October 25, 1903. She was a jolly, good natured person and soon made a place for herself in the family.
The year 1904 rolls around. Mattie who is now 15 meets and falls in love with Oscar Lovett of Leonard, Texas. So on December 25 they were married by Parson Conley.
Next Ollie meets a neighbor boy by the name of Jim Steele and they are married February 22 of 1905. She is 19 years of age and madly in love with her strong efficient husband.
It seems that JW and Mesena are loosing their children at a rapid pace, for the year 1906 finds Minnie married to Wix Price. It was February and the rains had been coming down so the black mud was deep and it took a bit of cooperating on the part of the young couple to drive and punch mud in order to reach the parsons and back home again. But the task was done and the last one to be married in Texas was in a home of her own.
Come the fall of the year 1906, September 6, saw the migration of the rest of the Clark family from Fannin County, Texas to Greer County, Oklahoma. (The land of Promise). One of the things JW held up as ideal to the family before moving was the fact one could go out immediately after a rain and not bog down.
Luther had moved the year before and had a wonderful crop growing the year of 1906.
The day the rest of the family arrived, was September 27, at what is now Brinkman, on the Bill Lampert farm just north of the city limits. Luther was cutting feed which was taller than the now binder and heavy heads. In his yard the family pitched their tents and waited until places could be vacated that had been purchased.
There was quite a group in that train. Cora and Allen Foutch with their two children in a covered wagon, and two wagons of John and Mesena's was one unit.
The famous surrey with the fringe on the top and a buggy made up the caravan with JW and wife, Claude, Anna and Laura and two hired hands, John Counts and Bill Phillips. The only incident that was outstanding was as we crossed Peas River and the wagon in which the Mother, Anna and Laura were riding and John Counts was driving, almost floated down the river.
This first year found Mesena in very poor health. She was in bed almost a year. The first summer found most of the family with typhoid fever: Mesena, Mattie (who was living at home with Olga, her daughter) Annie, Claude and Laura. We had to haul water and use it out of the barrel and this where we got out typhoid germ. We had some wonderful neighbors who were a great help to Floyd and JW coming every day to wash clothes, cook and care for Olga. Among these neighbors were Ruth and Eula Ryan, but eventually we all recovered from the fever.
The children went to school at Prosperity, one mile east of where we lived. There were many happy days at this schoolhouse. Some of the teachers were Sam West, Effie Zornes and others.
Floyd has grown up now and has found himself an Irish lassie with a big smile. Viola Summerall, who on September 15, 1909 he leads to the altar and says "I'll be thine".
Not long after this, the MKT railroad is built from Wichita Falls, Texas north and Brinkman comes into being and churches and schools are moved to town.
In the mean time Annie and Laura have grown up and go to school in Brinkman. (They formerly went to Prosperity, one of the schools that consolidated in Brinkman). The distance was too far to walk so school wagons were employed by the school district. These were drawn by horses or mules. The one coming by the Clark farm that was driven by JW picked up several Syrian children. One little Syrian girl would be nauseated each morning. We would heat bricks and place lighted lanterns under blankets stretched across from one side of the wagon to the other and the fumes got very strong and caused the nausea. She would always loose her breakfast.
Annie was the next one to leave the home nest. She was a very popular young lady with beautiful long hair and her blue and grey eye made her very attractive. But she met and married a neighbor boy named George Rogers on January 9, 1912. They ran away and were married by George's grandfather.
Claude, not to let his sister get ahead of him, found a lovely little blond girl, whose home was near the little village of Old Marie and they were married the same year on May 8, 1912. Her name was Bertha Foster. They moved in a small house that JW built for them on the home place just south of the Clark homestead.
This left only Laura home with the Mother and Father. She spent her time helping keep house and going to school. She also visited a niece, Jewell Foutch and a friend Mattie Shumate in Brinkman. They went everywhere together. She and her Mother went places together in a buggy, driving a large blue horse. One afternoon, as they were returning from a county store, operated by a Syrian (George Massad), the horse got scared and ran away. He didn't stop until he ran up to the barn door at home.
The year 1914 rolls around, Laura, now 15 is going steady with a neighbor farm boy, Will Cost. He is 22 and has been licensed to preach by the Baptist Church at Brinkman. Laura had said she would never marry a preacher or doctor, but she is so madly in love with this tall curly haired boy that they were married on July 4, 1914 at Brinkman then went to Granite to a picnic at Sulphur Springs. She was the last one to leave the home.
This leaves the Mother and Father alone, but there were many happy Sundays and birthdays as the children would come home bring their families and food to eat and have a happy visit together.
The year 1923 rolls around. The children are scattered now, but they keep in touch with home. So in May, a message come that the Mother is very ill and has cancer. On May 25 she passes to her reward at the age of 65 years and was buried in the Brinkman Cemetery.
George and Anna moved in to stay with the Father, but did not stay very long. So, Claude and Bertha came into the home to keep the home going. JW was very lonesome in spite of having the children with him. He visited his other children some, for he had bought a little Ford coupe and a grandson, Bill Price drove for him a lot and took him places. Also a granddaughter, Olga Lovett drove the little Ford.
JW had very good health until one day while he was plowing with a go-devil when he had a partial stroke and for quite awhile he walked with a cane, until finally one day he had another stroke and could not walk or talk. But in his wheel chair he was very much the center of the home, with Claude and Bertha taking care of him.
So, on July 23, 1931 he passed away at the age of 83 and was buried beside his wife in the Brinkman Cemetery.
A wonderful Father and Mother have gone to their rewards, but will never be forgotten as long as their children and grandchildren live.
