Roger S. Clark, a resident and prosperous merchant of Saulsbury, was born July 22, 1849, in Hardeman County. His parents were Jackson and Sallie (Lyle) Clark. The father was born January, 1824, in Alabama, and immigrated to Tennessee at an early day, locating near Saulsbury, where he resided until his death, which occurred December 8, 1857. The mother was born April 15, 1824, in North Carolina. She is beloved by all who know her and is still living with her son, our subject. The grandfather, Cornelius Clark, was born in 1763, and is supposed to have left Scotland and settled in Georgia when a comparatively young man. He took a prominent part in the war of 1812. The exact position he held is not known, but was evidently an officer of high rank. He died in Alabama. The grandfather Lyle was of Irish descent, a native of North Carolina, born in 1800, and came to Tennessee in 1826, locating in Hardeman County, where he lived a number of years. He died in Fayette County, July 22, 1885.
Roger was a mere child when bereft of his father. He remained with his mother until 1870, when he went west. He traveled most of the time, visiting nearly all the Westem States, and returned home January, 1873. The next five years he was salesman for different firms, and in 1878 engaged in merchandise business for himself, in which line has been very successful. Since 1875 he has had charge of the postoffice, and was appointed postmaster in 1877. He began life without capital, but by untiring energy and judicious management is now in easy circumstances, having accumulated considerable means and property. He is a respected member of the Missionary Baptist Church, of the Masonic order, the K. & L. of H. He is a true Democrat. November 5, 1874, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E., daughter of W. W. Elliotte. Their union resulted in the birth of five children, two of whom are living: Pear T. and Jewel E.