Today we have another addition to our list of various Clark-surnamed people that show up in our search for Jonathan M. Clark’s kin and that we establish (with reasonable certainty) are not JMC’s parents or other relatives. The gentleman in question is early (1837) Madison, Wisconsin Territory, settler Darwin Clark (1812-1899).

“Darwin Clark,” (Madison) Wisconsin State Journal 1884-12-26 p 8 (detail)

From Madison pioneer to eminent citizen

Darwin Clark was born in Otsego County, New York—about 70 miles west of Albany—in 1812, making him roughly the same age as JMC. His parents were Issac and Eunice Clark. He arrived in Milwaukee on May 20, 1837 and quickly made his way to the site of Madison, soon to be the capital of the new Wisconsin Territory. He remained in Madison for the rest of his long and productive life. The following sketch outlines some of many of his activities and accomplishments through late-1884:

“Darwin Clark,” (Madison) Wisconsin State Journal 1884-12-26 p 8

What could you get at D. Clark’s furniture store in 1884?

Page 6 of the same issue of the State Journal has the details…

Last of the Madison Pioneers, 1899

Darwin Clark died on February 11, 1899, aged 86 years. The Milwaukee Journal published a lengthy obituary, with portrait of the subject in his later years, on page 6 of its February 14, 1899 edition.

All in all, an interesting life, well lived. But as far as I can tell, even though Darwin Clark was one of the very few, very early, Wisconsin settlers with the Clark surname, he was neither related to, nor acquainted with, Mequon’s Jonathan M. Clark, and we add him to our pantheon of “Nope, not our…” Clark family.

More history coming soon. See you shortly.