STANDARD ATLAS
OF
SCOTT COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1903
Geo. A. Ogle & Co.Publishers & Engravers
134 Van Buren St.
Chicago
Page 103
It is our purpose here to give, briefly as possible, the salient features in the life of one of Scott county's pioneers - a native of the county. Fletcher F. Clark was born in Manchester, Scott county, Illinois, December 17, 1835, his parents having moved here the July preceding, from Old Virginia - his parents were Virginians. He was the oldest of seven children in the family of E. J. and Sarah Clark, two sons and five daughters, all of whom are now living. He was reared on a farm two and a half miles west of Manchester and remained there until he was eighteen years of age when he taught school in Scott and Greene counties (teaching winters and working on the farm summers) until 1859. He then went into a general store, buying and shipping hogs, cattle, grain, etc. In 1862 he felt the necessity of tendering his services to his county in its hour of danger and enlisted in Company G, 91st Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war.
Returning from the service, and seeing nothing very tempting, in a business way, he engaged in farming, purchasing a tract of land adjoining the homestead and devoted his attention to cattle feeding and grazing. He kept adding to his small land holdings until he now owns one of the best farms in Scott county. For a number of years he has been connected with the Farmers' and Traders' Bank, at Manchester, and is at present president of that institution. He expects to leave the old homestead this spring and move back to the city of his birth.
On August 25, 1862, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Scarth, oldest daughter of Robert and Margaret Scarth, former residents of England. Of this union was born five children - three sons and two daughters. Two of these children passed away early in life. Their oldest son, Robert, dying at the age of four months and their youngest son, Hubert, at the age of four years. The children now living are: Mrs. Ada B. Cuddy, wife of Thomas Cuddy; Edward C. Clark, now living at Numa, Oklahoma Territory, and Sarah Margaret Funk, wife of L. C. Funk.
Thus the story is briefly told. Mr. Clark is a self-made man. All that he has he wrought with his own hands, and it is the result of careful, anxious, painstaking toil. He has been earnest and patient and has so husbanded his opportunities that today he enjoys a competency in the winter of life. He is thoroughly identified with the interests of Manchester and Scott county and can be depended upon at all times to contribute liberally to further any good cause effecting the welfare of his home town or county.