1891 HISTORY OF CLARK & JACKSON CO., WI, pg. 340

JACOB H. CLARK, confectioner, Merillon, Wisconsin, was born in West Troy, New York, July 15, 1845. He is the second born of the six children of Signet Clark of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. The father, also a native of New York, came West in 1857 and engaged in the machine business at Black River Falls, which he still continues. He was the original patentee of fine paper collars, and while in New York was extensively engaged in the manufacture of machinery.

When a youth of fourteen the subject of our sketch started out to provide for himself. His first employment was farm work, for which he received $4 per month, and he continued working on a farm and in a mill up to the time he entered the army. While in the mill he ran the engine, being an expert engineer, as also is his father. In October, 1863, he enlisted in Company I, Fourteenth Wisconsin, Captain C. R. Johnson, and served with bravery till the war closed. Prominent among the engagements in which he took part we mention the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, the Red River Expedition, the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi was at Jefferson City, Nashville, New Orleans, Spanish Fort, Montgomery and Mobile. He was honorably discharged on October 9, 1865. From exposure during the service he contracted a severe cold which settled in his bronchial tubes, from the effects of which he has never recovered. He no receives a pension of 30 from the Government.

After the war he returned to Wisconsin and entered into a partnership with his father in the planing mill and machine shop at Black River Falls, under the firm name of S. Clark Son. He remained there from 1866 until 1870, when he came to Merillon, continuing the same business here until 1886. Then for two years he was engaged in railroading. In 1890 he opened his present confectionery business in Merillon, and has a large trade in all kinds of candies, fruits, cigars and tobacco. Since he has lived in Merillon he has served the public in a number of ways: was elected Village Trustee in 1889 and at the same time was elected Secretary of the Board of Health was a member of the Street Committee until last spring is now Justice of the Peace. He is a prominent member of the G. A. R., Col. Ellsworth Post. His political views are in accord with Republican principles, and he was a delegate to the County Convention in September last.

Mr. Clark was married, September 1, 1869, to Mary A. Vanderburg of Black River Falls. Four children have been born to them, one son and three daughters, all receiving the benefit of good educational advantages. Mr. Clark began married life with limited means, but by hard work and economy he has managed to secure a competency.