Fred Clark

FRED CLARK is one of the most prosperous and enterprising young farmers of Alpine township, Kent county, Mich., is a native of Grand Rapids, and was born March 6, 1854, the second in the family of John H. and Temperance C. (Pegler) Clark. John H. Clark, father of Fred Clark, was born in Canterbury, Kent county, England, in 1820. When a young man he enlisted in the reserve battalion, Twentieth regiment of foot, British army, held the position of corporal three years and of sergeant six years, and served a total of twelve years and twenty-nine days, mainly in the West Indies. In I849 he received his discharge and immediately came to America. On reaching Grand Rapids he engaged in the milling business at Mill Creek, which he f8llowed until his death, which occurred January 20, I891. His wife was a native of Gloucestershire, England, was born in 83 1, and at the age of thirteen years came to America with her father. She first met her husband in Canada, and was there married. Her death took place January 26, I887, and her remains were interred in the Valley City cemetery, and beside these those of her husband were subsequently interred, and now a handsome monument marks the spot. Fred Clark became an agriculturist on his own account when about twenty years of age, and of this he has made a decided success. His household is taken care of by an elder sister, and it is the home of peace and plenty, as well as quiet happiness. His farm contains eighty two acres, and he has made tobacco growing a feature. Mr. Clark is a democrat in politics, but is not extremely partisan, and while he and sister are not members of any church organization, so live that they have won the esteem of all who know them.