In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their way to success through unfavorable environments we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. The following history sets forth briefly the steps by which our subject, now one of the leading general merchants of Spencer, Van Buren county, overcame the disadvantages of his early life.
Mr. Clark was born February 26, 1842 at Carthage, Smith county, Tenn., but was brought to Van Buren county, in 1846, by his parents, James and Rebecca (Sanders) Clark, who located on the mountain side, near Laurel Cove, where they developed and improved a farm. The father was also a native of Smith county, born in 1817, and was a son of Benjamin Clark, who was born in Virginia and died in Van Buren county, Tenn. James Clark was a farmer and stock raiser by occupation, and was Democrat in politics. He died on Caney Fork, Van Buren county in 1866, and his wife, who was born in DeKalb county, Tenn., in 1816, passed away at the home of her son, A.M. Clark, in Spencer, in 1886. Eight children were born to them, of who three are still living: Carroll H., of this review; Martha, now the wife of C.W. Mooneyham, of DeKalb county; and A.M., a merchant of Doyle, White county, Tenn. Those deceased are Manson, who died in 1861; Samantha, who married Mark Mitchell and died in Laurel Cove, Van Buren county; Samuel K., who died before the war; James Nelson, who died in Van Buren county; and Bethena, who died in the same county when a young woman.
Carroll H. Clark obtained his primary education in an old school house, which was minus floor and chimney, and for a time pursued his studies under the direction of Rev. Patrick Moore, who is still an honored resident of Van Buren county. Later, he attended the York Academy, in Spencer, walking four miles to school; but while a student in that institution the Civil War broke out, and he laid aside his test books to join the Confederate army. As a private, he enlisted in Company I, Sixteenth Tennessee Infantry, under Colonel John Savage, and came out of the service bare headed and barefooted, but entitled to a Lieutenant’s commission. At the battle of Perryville, he was wounded by a gunshot which came near ending his life, and on account of his wound was unable to take part in the battle of Murfreesboro. Later he participated in the battle of Chickamauga, both days; was with Johnston on the retreat through Georgia, taking part in all the battles, and on the 22nd of July, 1864, was again wounded in front of Atlanta, a musket ball passing through his left arm. On leaving the hospital, he joined his command in North Carolina, after a long tramp, and was at Jonesboro, that state, when they surrendered, April 26, 1865.
Mr. Clark’s capital at the close of the war consisted of a world of energy, which has been the means of bringing to him success, as he had no money to aid him. Returning to his old home, he bought a small piece of land, and, in connection with its cultivation, he taught some small schools. In 1874 he was the people’s choice for sheriff of the county, and so acceptably did he fill the office that he was re-elected in 1876. Two years later he was elected circuit clerk, and, in 1882, was re-elected to that position, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. On the expiration of his second term he was appointed deputy and served in that capacity for a few years, after which he was deputy clerk and master for ten years. For four years he has also been a member of the county court, and, during President Cleveland’s second administration, was post-master of Spencer for four years and one month. His official career was ever above reproach, always leaving office as he had entered it — with the confidence and good will of the entire community. In his political views Mr. Clark is a Democrat. In 1894 he embarked in merchandising in Spencer, and is now successfully engaged in that business.
On the 17th of October, 1867, Mr. Clark married Miss Keziah Mooneyham, who was born in Van Buren county, April 10, 1850, and died September 9, 1897, leaving three children, namely: Charles M., a farmer of Van Buren county; and Frank S. and Robert Y., both at home. A son and daughter are deceased – Clenney, who died in childhood and Daisy at the age of six years. Mr. Clark is an active worker in and prominent member of the Christian church at Spencer, in which he is now serving as secretary and treasurer.
Memorial and Biographical Record of the Cumberland Region, An Illustrated Compendium of Biography. Geo. A. Ogle & Co. Chicago, 1898. pp. 253 and 254.