Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Clark, Alexander
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Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


ALEXANDER CLARK, a veteran of the Civil war, is a 
representative citizen of West Providence township, Pa., 
where he was born on March 4, 1838.  His father, Joel Clark, 
was the son of Thomas Clark.  His great-grandfather, Samuel 
Clark, the founder of the Clark family in Bedford County,  
was the son of a Revolutionary soldier, who, it is said, 
fought throughout the seven years' struggle of the colonies 
for independence.  Samuel Clark, coming here when the 
country was in its pristine wilderness, was forced to cut 
down trees and root up stumps before he could cultivate the 
land.  In this pioneer labor his son Thomas doubtless was of 
great assistance.
  Joel Clark, reared in West Providence on the old 
homestead, on which he was born, had but meager facilities 
as compared with those of the present day for acquiring an 
education.  Well endowed, however, both intellectually and 
physically, he developed great force of character, and in 
course of time became an influential and popular citizen.  
A lifelong farmer, he continually added by purchase to the 
original area of his farm, and before his death, in 1864, 
was the owner of more than a thousand of acres of land in 
this vicinity.  A valued member of the Christian church, he 
was active in church affairs, exemplary in his daily life, 
and charitable to the poor.  He was well known in the 
business and political circles of the county, in his early 
life having been prominently identified with the Whigs, but 
later being a stanch Republican.  His wife, whose maiden 
name was Martha Calhoun, was born and bred in Monroe 
township, Pa.
  Alexander Clark received his early education principally 
in the public schools of West Providence township, but the 
lessons that have been most beneficial to him in his 
subsequent career have been obtained in the hard school of 
practical experience.  During the Civil War, inspired by 
patriotic motives, he enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Ninety-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and at the 
expiration of his term of service re-enlisted in the 
Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.  He served 
nearly three years in the army, being one year under Captain 
Fitch in the quartermaster's department in the Valley of 
Virginia.  While with his regiment he was at Baltimore, Md., 
much of the time doing provost guard duty.  He participated 
in the famous battle at Winchester and in various 
skirmishes; and at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., he was 
detailed as ambulance driver.  After being mustered out of 
service at Baltimore, Md., Mr. Clark returned to his home in 
West Providence, where he at once resumed agricultural work, 
in which he has since been successfully engaged.  Having 
succeeded to the ownership of the parental homestead, he has 
a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, much of which is 
under cultivation.  The reputation he has acquired as a good 
farmer is amply borne out by the fine appearance of his 
neatly-kept estate.  He is a sound Republican in politics, 
actively interested in local affairs, and has served two 
terms as School Director.
  In April, 1866, Mr. Clark married Sitha Wink, daughter of 
the late Samuel Wink, a lifelong resident of East Providence 
township.  By this union eight children have been born, 
namely: Elmer W.; Mollie, wife of David Manspeaker; Albert 
E.; Rachel M., wife of professor D. S. Garlick; Howard W.; 
Walter H.; Ettie E.; and Nancy M.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa