nclark.html

History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon

NEWTON CLARK AND FAMILY 1877

At the request of the Historian of the "Hood River Pioneer Association" I am writing the "short but simple annals of the poor."
I was born May 27, 1838, in the state of Illinois. Parents removed to Baraboo, Wisconsin in 1840, where I grew to manhood. October 14, 1860, I married Mary Hill, a bonnie Scotch-English lassie born on the Clyde in Scotland, and younger by one month, than myself.
Four children have been given us, of whom, William Lewis and Jeanette (now Brazleton), are still living, the former in Hood River, the latter in Portland.
Three years ago we celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary, and although all our days are golden, we are patiently waiting for another with the diamonds.
September 27, 1861, I enlisted in Company K, Fourteenth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers Infantry for the Civil War, as private. August 28, 1862, I was commissioned as Second Lieutenant. April 12, 1863, was detailed by order of Major-General J.B. McPherson, as acting Assistant Quartermaster to take charge of the Headquarters train of the Seventeenth Army Corps, then about to engage in the Vicksburg campaign.
July 4, 1863 I had the honor of furnishing the U.S. flag which was floated from the cupola of the Vicksburg Courthouse when the army took possession of that building.
November 15, 1863, was commissioned as First Lieutenant and Regimental Quartermaster. December 11, 1863, re-enlisted at Vicksburg, Miss., for three years, or during the war. October 9, 1865, was mustered out of the service at Mobile, Ala., and Regiment returned to Madison, Wisconsin, where it disbanded.
Length of time in service -- a little more than four years. Battles engaged in Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862; Battle of Luka, Sept. 19, 1862; Battle of Corinth, Oct. 3-4, 1862.
Being in command of an outpost on the Chewalla Road, brought on the great battle by the first shots at daylight on the third. In this battle the Company which had been greatly reduced by disease and death, went into line with twenty-nine men and at the close of the battle had only seven remaining, of which I was one.
Battle of Port Gibson, Miss. -- May 1, 1863; Battle of Raymond May 12, 1863; Battle of Jackson -- May 14, 1863; Battle of Champion Hills -- May 16, 1863. May 19 to July 4, 1863, siege and capture of Vicksburg. Bank's Red River Expedition March 11 to May 20, 1864. Battle of Yellow Bayou May 19, 1864; Battle of Tupelo -- July 14, 1864; Battle of Nashville Dec. 15-16, 1864; Siege and capture of Mobile -- March 27 to April 9, 1865. Being on detached service part of the time, saw several battles in which the Regiment was not engaged.
In 1869 went to Dakota Territory and located at Sioux Falls. In 1877 came to Oregon, settling at Hood River the first week in September of that year. Jan. 1, 1914 -- am at Hood River yet.
Mr. Clark has given us an accurate account of his work up to the close of the Civil War, but would add nothing more; knowing that his friends and neighbors want his later work recorded, I have endeavored to supply the omission, yet realizing that it would be far more interesting and acceptable if given in his own words.

D.M.C. Historian

After enlisting in 1861, Mr. Clark took his wife and baby girl back to her old home in Wisconsin, that she might have her mother's protection in his absence.
Before telling his wife goodbye he said to her: "If I never come back remem-ber that you have our little Minnie to live for, work for her and she will be a comfort to you."
Long, lonely day's and nights followed his going, but the mother was comforted with his last words and rejoiced that their baby was safe. Little do we realize what is before us. A sudden sickness and little Minnie was called to her Eternal Home. It was hard for the mother, it was hard for the soldier at the front, but grief has its mission and makes better and truer human hearts.
In the fall of 1865 Mr. Clark returned from the war. In 1869 they moved to Sioux Falls, Dakota Territory. He built the first frame house in Sioux City, later served as City Superintendent of Schools, also as County Commissioner and member of the territorial legislature. Clark County in South Dakota was named in his honor.
Mr. Clark's parents had moved to Colorado and he went there to visit them, and in the summer of 1877 drove with them from Colorado to Hood River, Oregon, arriving in Hood River about the first of September. They selected adjoining tracts of land.
Early in the year l878 Mrs. Clark and her three children came to their new home in Hood River. That summer a new school house was built one half mile west of their home, it was a commodious building for those days and severely taxed the resources of the community. In recognition of Dr. Barrett's work it was named the Barrett School. Newton Clark was one of the directors. The school flourished from the first, and in addition the building became a center for neighborhood activities in which Mr. Clark's family played a conspicuous part. Spelling bees, Farmers Clubs, Debating Societies and Church organizations had this spot for a starting place.
In the capacity of School Director Mr. Clark rendered good service, all his dealings were characterized by wisdom and fairness. His children were regular attendants at the school and their intelligent work and willing cooperation helped to make the work a pleasure to the teacher and a pride to the community.
A surveyor is a necessity in a new country and in this field Mr. Clark served his country well, he was not only the busiest man but the most sought after, by the new settler, having established more section lines than any other surveyor in this county.
A glacier on Mt. Hood bears his name commemorating his activities in that locality, He was one of the party that rediscovered the beautiful lake that was lost in the wilds of Mt. Hood's forests. They gave it the name of "Lost", located it on the map, and cut a trail to it, that others might follow in their footsteps.
Mr. Clark was a charter member of the Hood River local lodge of A.O.U.W. and in 1888 was elected Grand Recorder for that organization, a position which he held for twenty years.
While filling this office his residence was in Portland. Resigning his work in 1909 he returned to Hood River and erected a substantial dwelling on the hill overlooking the town; here they led a quiet life for several years.
When the war called away the younger men he returned to Portland taking his place again in the working ranks at the desk of the Grand Recorder, and here the "Angel of Death" found him, "doing his bit" for his country. He had reached the age of eighty years and one month, but time had dealt kindly with him and he never appeared old. His death occurred June 27, 1918. Mr. Clark was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Canby Post of G.A.R. These organizations participated at his funeral. Mrs. Clark was ill in Portland and unable to attend.
One month later she came to Hood River with her daughter; she was feeling unusually well and took an automobile ride in the evening. When her daughter went to call her in the morning, she found that her mother had passed away in her sleep without pain or sickness she had joined her husband in that land where partings are no more.