John Clark (Georgia governor)

John Clark

John Clark (sometimes spelled Clarke) (February 28, 1766  October 12, 1832) was an American politician.

Career

John Clark's gravestone at the Marietta National Cemetery, Marietta, Georgia

Clark served in the Georgia House of Representatives prior to being elected to consecutive two-year terms as the 31st Governor from 1819 to 1824. Clark also served in the Georgia Militia during the American Revolution and achieved the rank of Major General in 1796. While governor of Georgia he was involved in the U.S. Supreme Court case known as Ex parte Madrazzo.

Personal life

Son of Revolutionary War hero Elijah Clarke, John Clark was born in Edgecombe County, North Carolina and moved to Wilkes County, Georgia in the early 1770s. He died of yellow fever in St. Andrews Bay (Florida) in what was then Washington County (currently Bay County) and was buried in that same city; however, his grave was relocated to Marietta National Cemetery[1] in Georgia in 1923 by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Legacy

Clarke County, Alabama is named after him.[2]

References

  1. John Clark at Find a Grave
  2. "Clarke County: A Brief History". Clarke County Historical Museum. Retrieved 3 January 2009.

Bibliography

Political offices
Preceded by
Matthew Talbot
Governor of Georgia
1819–1824
Succeeded by
George Troup