Robert Clark (US politician)

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Robert Clark
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 8th district
In office 1819-03-04 - 1821-03-03
Preceded by	Dorrance Kirtland
Succeeded by	Richard McCarty
Born	1777-06-12 Washington County, New York
Died	1837-10-01 Monroe, Michigan
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Spouse	Catherine Reid
Profession	politician
Religion	Presbyterian

Robert Clark (1777-06-12 - 1837-10-01) was a United States Representative from New York.

Clark was born in Washington County, New York, six months after his family arrived after emigrating from the Scottish Lowlands. His father died when he was age thirteen. He was tutored privately and then studied medicine in the office of his brother, Dr. Thomas Clark. He commenced a practice in Galway, New York in 1799. He also married Catherine Reid, when he was age 22 and his wife was barely 15. Although his mother-in-law offered to help establish himself in Lachine, Quebec, Canada, his wife's former home, Clark refused to settle in the dominions of the British Crown.

Clark remained in Galway and built a home where his first two children were born. After the house burned to the ground, Clark lived in temporary shelter provided by neighbor's, where his third child was born. He soon afterwards moved to Stamford, New York, and later settled near Delhi, New York, where he continued the practice of his profession.

Clark was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1812 to 1815. He was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 16th United States Congress, serving 1819-03-04 - 1821-03-03. He was a delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1821.

In 1823, Clark moved to Monroe County, Michigan, and came to the tiny village of Monroe. Through influence of acquaintances, he was appointed the register of the land office for the second land district of Michigan Territory on 1823-05-26, in which capacity he served until 1831-03-25. His wife, with their eight children, the youngest age 22 months, followed him from New York as soon as convenient. The family at first lived in a small house in the village. Clark soon purchased a farm at the edge of the village which had once been part of a French estate. When the land office was moved to White Pigeon, Clark returned to the practice of medicine and was also interested in the scientific cultivation of fruits and grasses and the subject of drainage.

Concerning his political affiliations, Clark used to say "that he had never changed his principles, but found himself a member of the Whig Party without needing to change" (Wing p. 146). In New York, he was Free and Accepted Mason, but was not in harmony or fellowship with the lodge of Monroe. He was a Presbyterian, and when living in New York was a member and ruling elder of the Scotch Church. After a long and painful illness, Clark died on a Sabbath morning in Monroe, Michigan.

Clark's wife survived him for 22 years and was the mother of thirteen children, ten of whom grew to maturity.

[edit] References

• Robert Clark (US politician) at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Wing, Talcott Enoch [1890] (2005). "sv. Robert Clark", History of Monroe County, Michigan. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library, pp. 144-145. Retrieved on 2007-07-12. 

Preceded by Dorrance Kirtland

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 8th congressional district 1819 - 1821

Succeeded by Richard McCarty

Persondata
NAME	Clark, Robert
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	June 12, 1777
PLACE OF BIRTH	Washington County, New York
DATE OF DEATH	October 1, 1837
PLACE OF DEATH	Monroe, Michigan