Joseph A. Clark
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A photocopy in the local history clipping files at Lowell Public Library (Vital Statistics, vol. 1, page 79) reported that Joseph A. Clark, son of Joseph Addison Clark and Harriet Story Clark, was a second lieutenant in the 20th Indiana Volunteers, Company B during the Civil War. Two of his brothers, George S. and Alva V., also served in the war.
A photocopy of this article was found in the local history clipping files at Lowell Public Library (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 2, page 80):
- Another true pioneer of the county passed from among us this year, Joseph A. Clark, born in the State of New York, Ontario County, March 27, 1827,* coming with his father and mother, Joseph A. and Harriet S. Clark, to Lake County in May, 1837, the family settling in what is now Cedar Creek Township, passing through all the pioneer and the later railroad life, he died at one p.m., July 9,* 1906, in the 79th year of his age. His record s a citizen soldier is of more than ordinary interest. He enlisted July 22, 1861, in Company B, 20th Indiana, became lieutenant of his company, was in all of the more than thirty hard fought battles of that regiment, and was wounded five times, but not seriously.
- He was the first master of Colfax Masonic Lodge. His two children are J. Addison Clark and Mrs. Carl Brownell.
The following article was copied from the Spalding Scrapbook and can be found in the local history clipping files at Lowell Public Library (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 5, page 17):
Lieut, Joseph A. Clark, of Pleasant Grove, one of the first to answer to his country's call for the civil war, and one of nine children born to Joseph A. and Harriet (Story) Clark, a pioneer family who came to this county in 1837, died on Monday forenoon after a long and painful sickness with a cancer, which slowly and surely ate his life away, having been unable to leave his home for a year. He was 78 years of age the 27th of last March, having been born in 1828.
Mr. Clark left here June 24th, 1861, with Co. B, 20th Indiana Infantry, then 31 years of age, and the third oldest in the command. He served three years and four months in the Potomac army and was engaged in more than thirty hard fought battles, being wounded several times. He carried to his grave a rebel shot in one ankle, and had been a pensioner for many years. He rose to the office of second Lieutenant, and was in command of his company for more than a year before he left the service.
On September 1st, 1869, he was united in marriage to Arabelle Hull and to them was born two children who with the mother survive and were spared to comfort the deceased through his long suffering. He was a Royal Arch Mason and a prominent citizen of Lake county and is mourned by a large circle of friends. The funeral occurred on Wesdnesday, attended by a large throng of people, besides the Comrades and Brother Masons who turned out enmasse. He is now with the majority of the members who left Indiana to become a famous regiment.
The following excerpt comes from page 14 of the Centennial Colfax Lodge No. 378 booklet that was dated May 27, 1968:
- The prime mover in the founding of Colfax Lodge was born March 27, 1828, in Ontario County, New York. He was the elder of eleven children of Joseph A. and Harriet (Story) Clark, both natives of Ontario County, In the year 1837 the family moved to Indiana and settled in Cedar Creek Township, Lake County, at that time containing about eight families. Joseph A. Clark, our subject, received the usual education obtainable at that time on the frontier, and like most pioneers, was largely self-educated. He, being named after Joseph Addison of Spectator fame, was an indication the family was highly literate. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in Company "B," Twentieth Indiana Volunteers, and was in 37 battles with the Army of the Potomac. He was wounded five times slightly. He was at the battle of Gettysburg and was an observer of the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac. Mr. Clark carried a rifle ball in his ankle until he died. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant and had command of his Company two years before his discharge. By reason of sickness he resigned his command October 26, 1864.
He was married September 1, 1869, to Miss Arabelle Hull, daughter of Samuel and Emetine (Castle) Hull, by whom he had two children, Joseph A. and Beatrice. He resided on his 77 acre farm until his death.
Joseph A. Clark joined Lake Lodge 157 at Crown Point October 28, 1863. On June 15, 1866, he took a demit to organize Colfax Lodge. He was a strong supporter of Freemasonry and became a Royal Arch Mason. His son, Joseph A. Clark, was a Mason. Joseph A. Clark, Jr., had three sons and three daughters. One son, George S. Clark, was Master in 1933-1936.* J.A. Clark's daughter married J.C. Brownell and had three sons and one daughter. All three belonged to Colfax Lodge. Horace Carter, a son-in-law, belongs to Indiana Harbor Lodge No. 686. One son, Clark Brownell, was Master of Colfax Lodge in 1927. Another son, Harold W. Brownell, was Master in 1934. Mr. Joseph A. Clark died July 8, 1906 at the age of 78.
* NOTE -- The same book that this essay was in listed all the past Masters of the Colfax Lodge up to the time of publication. On page 23 it shows that George S. Clark was Master of Colfax lodge in the years 1933 and 1936, not 1933 through 1936. Harold W. Brownell was Master in 1934, and Arnold J. Schreiber was Master in 1935.
Go to Joseph A. Clark, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
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