Charles Henry Clark 1870-1943Bess

Charles Henry Clark was born on 20 Feb 1870 in Avena, Fayette, Illinois, United States. His parents were Morris T. Clark and Mary Josephine Metz.  Charles was the only child born to the couple.  According to an affidavit dated 1-27-1891 by John Durbin, Charles was born on the Durbin Farm.  Charles’ father died less than three months after his birth.  His mother married Paul Baughman the afternoon Morris Clark, Charles’ father, passed away.    Paul and Mary had three children together.   Their union gave Charles a half-sister named Loney J. Baughmann,  two half-brothers Curtis and Joseph Baughman, two step-sisters Liza and Alnora Baughman and a step-brother James Baughman.  He appeared in the census on 3 Aug 1870 in Avena, Fayette, Illinois, United States in the Paul Baughman family including his mother Josephine, Liza, Alnora, and James.

The 1880 census information for the family was located in Fayette Facts, 1880 Census, transcribed by Alenia McCord, published by the Fayette County Genealogical Society in 1982.  The family was located on page 147.  The family is listed as Powel Baughman, Josephine, Charles (age 10), Christian (Curtis age 5), Lora (5 months). 

When Charles became of age he requested his father’s pension benefits from his service in the Civil War.  His request, unlike his mother’s request for benefits, was allowed.  Charles used the money to buy 40 acres of land, a team of horses, and a wagon. 

He married Mary Elizabeth Durbin on 30 Aug 1888 in Avena, Fayette, Illinois.  Charles was 18 and Mary Elizabeth was twenty-six at the time of their marriage.   The 1900 and 1910 census find the Clark family residing in Loudon, Fayette County, Illinois.

He lived 1524 N Clinton in Decatur, Macon, Illinois, United States on 16 Apr 1930. Charles died on 15 Apr 1943 at the age of 73 at 1275 East Condit in Decatur, Macon, Illinois, United States. He was buried on 17 Apr 1943 at Saint Bonaventure in Saint Elmo, Fayette, Illinois, United States. Saint Bonaventure Cemetery is 2 1/2 miles north of St. Elmo, Fayette County, Illinois.

Elizabeth "Bessie" Durbin Clark and husband Charles Henry Clark, unknown date

His obituary was published in the Banner Newspaper on 17 Apr 1943 in Saint Elmo, Fayette, Illinois, United States. C. H. Clark Funeral Services Held in St. Elmo:
Funeral services for the late Charles Henry Clark, former resident of Fayette county, were held at 9:30 o'clock Saturday morning at St. Mary's church in St. Elmo, with interment in St. Bonaventure cemetery there, Moran & Sons funeral home of Decatur in charge.

Mr. Clark, a retired farmer, died at his home in Decatur Thursday morning at 12:45 o'clock after an illness of several years.  He was 73 years of age.  He was born Feb. 20, 1870, in Fayette county, a son of Morris and Josephine Clark.  He was married in Vandalia to Mary E. Durbin, August 21, 1888.

Besides his wife he leaves two sons, Otis E. Clark of Stonington and Louis Clark of Blue Mound; a step-son, Charles Dial, of Brownstown; four daughters, Mrs. Lora Julius, Dalton City; Mrs. Jennie Tipsword, St. Elmo; Mrs. Nellie Tipsword, Beecher City and Mrs. Iva Jones of Decatur; a half-brother, William Magill of Pittsburgh, 33 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.