township, where the usual improvements have been made, and such arrangements consummated as make it a comfortable
home.
Mr. Clare is a native of Queens county, Ireland, and was born July 26, 1851. He was raised on a farm in his
native land until eighteen years of age, and in 1872 came to America, landing at New York city. For several years
he worked in the pottery of Thomas C. Smith & Sons at Greenpoint, and in 1875 came west. September 3rd of that
year he made his appearance in Vermillion, and, after looking around, decided on buying the farm on which he now
resides. The gentleman from whom he bought the property, Mr. William Behnke, now deceased, had built a small shanty
and had twenty-five acres improved. Our subject located here among strangers, and he stood many of the hardships
through which the settlers passed, among them being the grasshopper plagues, etc. He persevered, however, and has
succeeded in his chosen occupation. His present farm consists of 320 acres, all improved, on which he has erected
two full sets of farm buildings, and carries on a general farming business, also raising horses and cattle. He has
interested himself in thoroughbred horses and has some fine specimens which include Kitte C. and Wexford Boy. He
is also a breeder of polled Aberdeen-Angus and Hereford cattle and does quite an extensive business in the bovine
line. When he settled here he had practically nothing, and he owes his present well-to-do circumstances to his own
hard work and industry. He has a fine farm and has been a successful agriculturist. Politically he has been a
Democrat, and among the offices of the township which he has held is that of justice of the peace, in which
capacity he served for a period of six years; he was subsequently re-elected to the position but did not qualify.
Mr. Clare was married in 1874 to Miss Annie Dolan, a native of Kilkenney county, Ireland, and this marriage has
been blessed to them by the birth of five children, three of whom are living, viz.: Edward, born August 29, 1877;
Arthur William, born July 12, 1882; and Mary Agnes, born February 8, 1887. The deceased are: James, born June 2,
1876, and died October 9, 1876; and Margaret Ann, born December 5, 1887, died December 9th following. Mr. and Mrs.
Clare also have adopted and orphan boy, Michael A. Belle, who they intend to raise and educate. The children are
all having every facility thrown in their way to acquire good educations, and the daughter, Mary, is now a
student at the St. Clara (Wisconsin) academy. Mr. Clare has served as and is now a director on the school board of
his district. In his career as a farmer and stock raiser Mr. Clare has displayed much shrewdness, forethought and
capacity for untiring labor that have brought him a comfortable competence. He and his estimable wife are people
whose daily lives are such as to command the respect of all
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