Mrs. Mary (REID) CLARKE, an estimable lady, and resident of Haywood County, is a native of North Carolina, born in 1818. In 1840 she married Mr. Hugh M. Clarke, born in the same State, April 17, 1812. They soon after moved to Haywood County. Mr. Clarke had received splendid education advantages, and before twenty-one years of age he had taught several schools. They settled on a farm ten miles east of Brownsville and commenced farming, being very successful. For a number of years after marriage he continued to teach; his worth and ability as an educator was recognized in a new county, and the earnest solicitation of his friends kept him constantly in the school room. In 1845 he was elected to the Legislature, as the Whig candidate from Haywood County, defeating Gen. Robert RICHARDSON, Democratic candidate. Mr. Clarke was an influential member of the Old School Presbyterian Church and contributed liberally to its support.
Mrs. Clarke has never remarried; she is the mother of seven children — four sons and one daughter living, a son and daughter dead: John A., born January 1, 1847; Hugh M., born October 26, 1849; Mary R., born November 29, 1851; William W., born December 11, 1853; Catharine A., born February 23, 1856; James H., January 12, 1860; Benjamin P., born February 16, 1861. Catharine died July, 1858; William W. died September 27, 1881. John A. Married April, 1868, Miss Hattie MOORE, of Haywood County; Hugh M., married Miss Ann F. ANDERSON, September 11, 1872; Miss Mary R. married Marcus V. CRUMP, in the spring of 1873.
Goodspeed Pub. Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood and Crockett Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1887.