Elihu Clark
Elihu Clark, retired farmer and veteran of the Civil War. is a well-known resident of Ashley, Ohio. He was born in the northwestern part of Oxford Township. Delaware County. August 9, 1837, and is a son of Isaac and Clarissa (Gale) Clark.
Isaac Clark, father of Elihu, was born in New York State and at an early date came west to Ohio, locating in Oxford Township, Delaware County, on what was known as the Henry Foust farm, and near there he owned a tract of 50 acres on which he resided some years, then moved to the farm of 50 acres on which his son was born. Here he resided until his death. His union with Clarissa Dale resulted in the birth of twelve children, of whom three survive, namely: Elihu; John, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Berlin Township; and Mary Jane, who is the wife of Edward Morgan, now living in Kansas.
Elihu Clark was reared on the home place and received his educational training in the common schools of that neighborhood. He helped to clear the home property, a part of which was heavily timbered, and followed farming until he entered the army. He enlisted August 13, 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after a service of 10 months re-enlisted in Company F, of the One Hundred and Twenty-second Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He continued in active service until the close of the Civil War. and participated in many important engagements, among them Cedar Creek. Petersburg and Sailor's Run. He was in the Army of the Potomac, and in the summer of 1864 was with General Sheridan's forces in the Shenandoah Valley, and was with General Grant's through the Virginia campaign. He participated in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C, and was then mustered out and discharged in July, 1865.
After returning home he remained until the following spring, after which he followed general farming on the second purchase of his father and with much success. In 1882 he erected a handsome brick residence in which he lived until 1899, when he sold his property and moved to Ashley, buying a small home there. He is now living in retirement in the enjoyment of a well earned rest after years of activiity.
October 10, 1863, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Felky, a native of Delaware County, Ohio, and they became the parents of three children, as follows: Eva, deceased, who married Byron Porterfield, left two children, Vita and Fay; Josephine, who married William Morehouse of Columbus, has two children, Pearl and Verner; and Chesley, who lives in Ashley, married Bertie Vining and has two children, Merle and Lloyd. In 1885 Mr. Clark was deprived of the companionship of his beloved wife and helpmeet by death. Politically, he is a Republican. He is a member of J. E. Coomer Post, No. 281, G. A. R.. at Ashley.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908