Mary C. Hackley Clark (1819-1906)
(Mrs. Wellington A. Clark)
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Copies of the following unidentified newspaper articles were found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
- Monday, December 7th was the sixtieth anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Wellington A. Clark of this place add the occasion was observed in an appropriate manner by a gathering of their near friends at their home on Court Street. Many of their friends called during the day to pay their respects and extend congratulations.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark both maintain the best of health. They were married on December 7, 1843 in Hanover Township, the ceremony being performed by Judge Wilkinson. Mr. Clark in relating the story of the event says that at that time there were no carriages in Lake County but few roads. He went to Momence to borrow a buggy, in which to drive his bride home to their newly built log cabin. On the way to the wedding Judge Wilkinson killed a deer, which formed a part of the wedding feast.
Wellington A. Clark and wife bear the distinction of being the oldest living couple married in Lake County. Their marriage license bears the signature of Solon Robinson, who was then County Clerk.
Death of Mrs. Wellington Clark
The death of Mrs. Wellington A. Clark which occurred last Friday morning at her home in this place removes one of the pioneer women of Lake County, and one who was beloved by all who knew her. She was aged 88 years, and had been a resident of Lake County for over 65 years.Mary Hackley Clark was married to Wellington A. Clark in West Creek Township on December 7, 1843. At that time Lake County was little but a wilderness, broken only by the Indian trails, and an occasional pioneer's cabin. Their married life was begun amid the hardships of pioneer life with none of the conveniences we now have. To this union two sons, Henry and Fred both deceased and one daughter Helen, were born.
She and her husband were the oldest married couple in the county and celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary but a few weeks ago. The husband, now in his 92nd year is left alone in the winter of his life, while his companion for more than three score years, has been called to that home on high where life is eternal.
The funeral services were held at the residence on Sunday afternoon, and the remains were followed to their last resting place by a large number of old friends and neighbors who knew and loved this estimable pioneer woman.
Mary Hackley was born in Richfield, Olsego County, New York, May 3rd, 1819. She was one of five children, two sons and three daughters, of Roswell and Ora Hackley. Of this family three [sic] remain now, one sister, Mrs. Eliza Pettibone. The family moved to Michigan City Ind., when Mrs. Clark was thirteen years of age. Later they moved to Hanover Township, Lake County, where Dec. 7, 1843, she was married to Wellington A. Clark, who survives her.
Their family consisted of three sons and one daughter. Charles S. died at the age of sixteen. Fred A. at the age of twenty and Henry A. at thirty-two years of age. The latter left four children. The daughter, Mrs. Helen C, Clark, with her four children, has for some time resided in Michigan, but has spent much of her time the last year with her parents, and has been constantly with her mother during her last sickness.
To her granddaughter, Mrs. Claribel Clark Rockwell, she was also a devoted mother, rearing her from infancy. Mrs. Rockwell has always lived near her grandparents and been their main stay and comfort in their declining years. She also has twelve great-grandchildren. The 63rd anniversary of her marriage occurred only a few days before her death.
Mr. Clark, now in his 92d year, is still in good health and promises to live until a hundred, or more.
Go to Mary C. Hackley, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
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