Patrick Clark (1809-1891)
and Mary Ward (1802-1857)
written by descendants
with research by Valeen & Rand Bitter
Their first son, Peter, was born in 1833 in Athboy, Meath County, Ireland. He left home after a dispute with his father, went to Pennsylvania to work in the coal mines, and enlisted in the 7th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. The family never heard from him again. Their second son, Michael Joseph, was born October 30, 1835 at Trescott (Lubec), Washington County, Maine. Their daughter, Margaret, was also born in Trescott in 1837. Son, Michael J. Clark learned to be a musician at the age of 14.
While in the state of Maine, Patrick Clark and his family were engaged in farming. In 1840 they moved to Providence, Rhode Island. Here Patrick followed engineering. He ran the engine in the Rhodes Bleach Factory. Also, he ran the engine in Sweets and Burts, a log wood factory. Some of the articles made in this logwood factory were dyes, log wood, cream of tartar, salt peter, mustards and spices. From there he worked as an engineer for a steam boat on the Mississippi River.
In the year 1849 their little daughter, Margaret aged 12, died of pneumonia. In September 1857 his wife Mary died of dysentery. Her address at that time was R. 38 Back Street, 1st Ward in Providence, Rhode Island. She was buried in the Pawtuckett Cemetery by a Catholic Church. The small church stands in the center of a lot facing east. There is a cement wall, running east and west. She is laid to rest "two rods on the left hand side, just inside the east gate" by her daughter Margaret's grave. Her little granddaughter, Mary Susan, is buried on top of her in the same grave. Michael Joseph Clark and his wife Susannah Thompson placed her there before they left for Utah. They wanted to know that grandmother and granddaughter were together. There is a head stone which reads "Mary Ward Clarke -- 1857". In 1990, John Richard Clarke, finding the original marker in disrepair, placed a new monument on the grave. (J. Richard is a great-great grandson of Mary Ward through Michael J. Clark, Peter Roland Clarke and Lyle Redford Clarke.)
During these years, Patrick accumulated a good deal of this world's goods. In 1861 rather than remain there alone, he left everything and came with his son, Michael Joseph, his son's wife, Susannah Thompson, and their baby boy, Alfred Joseph, to Utah. An Irish Catholic, Patrick made it quite plain he was not coming for the L.D.S. Church which his son and daughter-in-law had joined. Patrick would not even travel in company with the Church. So they came in Captain Wooley's Independent Company. It is said that he purchased a fine wagon, finely outfitted, and 12 head of good oxen for the trip.
They left Providence, Rhode Island on June 10, 1861--just two months after the Civil War began, and settled in Logan, Cache county, Utah. While in Logan, Patrick followed gardening. He was a splendid gardener. He would not allow a large clod or weed at all in his gardens and was very proud of his work.
In 1863-64 they moved to Montana where he followed this same work along with mining. They also did regular farming.
In 1874 they returned to Clarkston, Utah. Patrick used to herd the cows for the people of the town. Folks would bring their cows to the town square. He would ring a bell when he was ready to leave. Sometimes when people were not on time he "dogged the herd" so that those following had trouble catching up. He liked promptness.
Patrick was a small man; a somewhat quiet and a mild mannered man, although he had a quick temper! He had many friends. One was "Indian John."
Patrick wore a white mustache. His head was bald down the center.
He dearly loved Ireland and the Catholic Church. Every night he took his cross and rosary and prayed. Sometimes the cat would rub and play with his bare feet. Patrick would turn and profane at the cat. Then he'd go back to his praying.
His deep love for Ireland was shown when he sent his second son, Michael Joseph, born in the U.S.A. back to Ireland at age 2 years--just so his son could stand on Irish soil. The boy of 2 years of age, was gone 6 months. He was in the care of a ship captain.
There was an old man in Clarkston, a devout L.D.S. man, who often tried to preach to Patrick and try to convert him. After the man was gone, Patrick would be disgusted and wonder why he came to convert him. Patrick thought he knew just as much about Heaven and life after death, and Patrick was just as much satisfied as the devout L.D.S. preacher was. He wished the old man would leave him alone. Patrick was a man to mind his own business. He liked to be off somewhere alone, with his dogs as company.
Patrick Clark died December 23, 1891 in Clarkston. His grave is in Clarkston, Utah.
They left Providence, Rhode Island on June 10, 1861--just two months after the Civil War began, and settled in Logan, Cache county, Utah. While in Logan, Patrick followed gardening. He was a splendid gardener. He would not allow a large clod or weed at all in his gardens and was very proud of his work.
In 1863-64 they moved to Montana where he followed this same work along with mining. They also did regular farming.
In 1874 they returned to Clarkston, Utah. Patrick used to herd the cows for the people of the town. Folks would bring their cows to the town square. He would ring a bell when he was ready to leave. Sometimes when people were not on time he "dogged the herd" so that those following had trouble catching up. He liked promptness.
Patrick was a small man; a somewhat quiet and a mild mannered man, although he had a quick temper! He had many friends. One was "Indian John."
Patrick wore a white mustache. His head was bald down the center.
He dearly loved Ireland and the Catholic Church. Every night he took his cross and rosary and prayed. Sometimes the cat would rub and play with his bare feet. Patrick would turn and profane at the cat. Then he'd go back to his praying.
His deep love for Ireland was shown when he sent his second son, Michael Joseph, born in the U.S.A. back to Ireland at age 2 years--just so his son could stand on Irish soil. The boy of 2 years of age, was gone 6 months. He was in the care of a ship captain.
There was an old man in Clarkston, a devout L.D.S. man, who often tried to preach to Patrick and try to convert him. After the man was gone, Patrick would be disgusted and wonder why he came to convert him. Patrick thought he knew just as much about Heaven and life after death, and Patrick was just as much satisfied as the devout L.D.S. preacher was. He wished the old man would leave him alone. Patrick was a man to mind his own business. He liked to be off somewhere alone, with his dogs as company.
Patrick Clark died December 23, 1891 in Clarkston. His grave is in Clarkston, Utah.
The history of Patrick Clark, prior to his adulthood is somewhat sketchy at best. Although recorded accurately, the memories of the sources may have been vague as some of the facts don't add up. There is a pension record of a Peter Clark which appears to closely match what we have been told but we can only make an assumption that is is "our Peter" Various attempts by different family members have been made to trace Patrick's parentage in Ireland. But conclusions cannot be documented without doubt due to the lack of records and documented statements by Patrick himself. It is recommended that the information be viewed as the best we can gather. Most of what is written above was composed by my aunt LuNone Clark Hieleson, ggg dau. Mary Ward's headstone was replaced when my brother, Shayne Clarke and I discovered it broken and laying flat buried by leaves and nearly overgrown with sod. It was a miracle that we found it in the fall of the year. It records Mary's death as well as their daughter Margaret who were apparently buried in the same grave. It is possible that it was further engraved to mark Michael's daughter Mary Susan but may have been at bottom where it broke and fell. Through funding of the Clarke family it was replaced with wording that referenced her husband Patrick buried in Clarkston. My brother Shayne was able to confiscate the old headstone and carried it home to Utah in a suitcase. The airport check-in clerk thought he was kidding when Shayne responded to his query that he was carrying a headstone in the suitcase. It was very heavy to say the least. The headstone was stored in my father's garage for many years in the suitcase until I placed it in my garden this past summer. I am the daughter of John Richard Clarke, gggson of Patrick, ggson of Michael Joseph, gson of John Peter and son of John Roland Clark and Nora Redford Clark. Lyle, his sister was incorrectly identified as his mother in the narrative above. Sherilyn Clarke Stinson, Sandy, Utah.
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