Robert Clark (US politician)
Encyclopedia
Robert Clark 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
(Delaware Co.) in 1812
and 1814-1815
. He was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 16th United States Congress
, holding office from March 4, 1819, to March 3, 1821. He was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1821.
In 1823, Clark moved to Monroe County, Michigan
, and came to the tiny village of Monroe
. From 1823 to 1831, he was Register of the Land Office for the 2nd Land District of Michigan Territory
. 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 a 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.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Clark was born in Washington County, New York
Washington County, New York
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Glens Falls, New York, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,216. It was named for the Revolutionary War general George Washington...
, six months after his family arrived after emigrating from the Scottish Lowlands
Scottish Lowlands
The Scottish Lowlands is a name given to the Southern half of Scotland.The area is called a' Ghalldachd in Scottish Gaelic, and the Lawlands ....
. 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
Galway (town), New York
Galway is a town located in Saratoga County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 3,589. The town is in the western part of the county and is north of Schenectady. Galway is a rural community with a mixture of small business, farming, and residential homes. The...
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
Lachine, Quebec
Lachine was a city on the Island of Montreal in southwestern Quebec, Canada. It is now a borough within the city of Montreal.-History:...
, 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
Stamford (town), New York
Stamford is a town in Delaware County, New York, United States. The population was 1,943 at the 2000 census.The Town of Stamford also has a village called Stamford.-Geography:The town is on the north edge of the county...
, and later settled near Delhi, New York
Delhi (town), New York
Delhi is a town in Delaware County, New York, USA. The population was 4,629 at the 2000 census.The Town of Delhi is in the east-central part of the county. The State University of New York at Delhi is located in this town, which contains the Village of Delhi...
, where he continued the practice of his profession.
Clark was a member of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
(Delaware Co.) in 1812
35th New York State Legislature
The 35th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 28 to June 19, 1812, during the fifth year of Daniel D...
and 1814-1815
38th New York State Legislature
The 38th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from September 26, 1814, to April 18, 1815, during the eighth year of Daniel D...
. He was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 16th United States Congress
16th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:During this congress, one House seat was added for the new state of Alabama and one seat was reapportioned from Massachusetts to the new state of Maine. For the beginning of the next congress, six more seats from Massachusetts would be reapportioned to...
, holding office from March 4, 1819, to March 3, 1821. He was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1821.
In 1823, Clark moved to Monroe County, Michigan
Monroe County, Michigan
Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2010 population is 152,021. The largest city and county seat is Monroe. The U.S. Census Bureau defines all of Monroe County as conterminous with the Monroe Metropolitan Area...
, and came to the tiny village of Monroe
Monroe, Michigan
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
. From 1823 to 1831, he was Register of the Land Office for the 2nd Land District of Michigan Territory
Michigan Territory
The Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan...
. 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
White Pigeon, Michigan
White Pigeon is a village in St. Joseph County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,627 at the 2000 census. The village is located within White Pigeon Township.-Geography:...
, 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
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
without needing to change" (Wing p. 146). In New York, he was a Free and Accepted Mason
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
, 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.