Erastus P. Clarke and Willis P. Clarke
Surnames: Bassett, Peck, Sherwood
From Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin, publ. 1889 - page 738-739
ERASTUS P. CLARKE, a Justice of the Peace at Milton, Wis., was born on the 30th day of June, 1817, in Otsego County, N.Y. His father was Oliver P. CLARKE, and his grandfather, Henry CLARKE, both of whom were natives of Rhode Island, and were ministers of the Seventh Day Baptist Church. The family is of English descent, the ancestry being traced back to John CLARKE, who emigrated from England to America in the early days of this country. The family of which our subject was a member numbered ten children, five sons and five daughters, but only two are now living. Eveline, the eldest, who became the wife of Willis SHERWOOD, died in Utica, N.Y., in 1869; Cornelia, born in 1800, married P. H. BASSETT, and resided in Otsego County, N.Y., until her death in 1883, leaving four children, George, Lewis, Dwight and John; Catherine died March, 1889, at Utica, N.Y.; Eliza resides at Unadilla Forks, N.Y.; Phoebe wedded Ransom LEWIS, and to them were born six children, two of whom are living; Morris, residing in Jefferson County, N.Y., has one child, a daughter; Reuben, who was married and had seven children, five of whom are living, died in Sandy Lake, Pa.; Erastus P., of this sketch, is the next in order of birth; Edwin D. was killed at the battle of Petersburg during the late war, leaving one daughter who is yet living; James Ray, the youngest of the family, died in 1844.
Our subject was reared to manhood in his native State, where he received his education, and in 1853 left New York, removing to New Jersey, where he engaged in the mercantile business. After three years spent in that line, he resolved to try his fortune in the West, and in 1856 came to Wisconsin, settling in Milton, where he has since resided. He has taken an active part in the growth of the town, and as a builder has assisted to erect about half the buildings therein. Before leaving his native State, he married Miss Mary Jane PECK, a native of Cumberland County, N.J., their wedding being celebrated on the 7th day of April, 1841. Two children have been born of their union - Willis P. and W. Wallace CLARKE, whose sketches appear elsewhere.
Mr. CLARKE has always taken a deep interest in political affairs. He cast his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison in 1840, and also voted for Benjamin Harrison in 1888. During the campaign of 1856, when Fremont was the first Republican candidate for the Presidency, he was the first man to organize a Fremont Club in the part of New Jersey where he then lived, and was one of the local leaders in his party. He made several political speeches, earnestly advocating organization upon Republican principles, and has remained a faithful adherent to the party since that time. He was first elected to public office in 1870, when he was the people's choice for Justice of the Peace, since which time he has been elected to that office at each succeeding election. He has been connected with the Home and Northwestern Insurance Companies since 1882, and has served as Trustee and Clerk of the Seventh Day Baptist Church for several years. He is highly respected by all who know him, and has many warm friends throughout the community. Though always practically a temperance man, our subject has been a total abstainer since about 1845, when he became a member of the Sons of Temperance, and has during all the years since that time been identified with some organization having for its object the suppression of the liquor traffic and the many evils growing out of intemperance. In his official capacity he metes out to violators of the law regulating the sale of intoxicants, the full measure of punishment provided by law, and is somewhat of a terror to evildoers who engage in the illicit sale of whisky. He is not a member of the Prohibition party, from the fact that in his opinion that movement is not strictly in the interests of temperance.
History of Rock County, Wisconsin, publ. 1879 - PAGE 815:
WILLIS P. CLARKE, druggist, Post Office building, Milton; born in Plainfield, Otsego Co., N.Y., May 15, 1842; son of Erastus P. and Mary Jane CLARKE, who came to Wisconsin and located at Milton in 1856; had two children - Willis P. and William Wallace, who were educated at Milton Academy (classical course). At the breaking-out of our civil war, Willis enlisted Oct. 1, 1861, in Co. K, 13th Wis. V.I.; mustered in at Janesville; in 1862, went to Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; from there to Fort Scott; then to Lawrence and Fort Riley; returned to Leavenworth, and from there went to Columbus and did duty there; in 1862, garrisoned Fort Henry and Fort Donelson; did scouting duty in the summer of 1863; in the fall of 1863, also participated with his regiment in all their duties till Jan. 13, 1864, was mustered out, and the same day re-enlisted as a veteran; served through Tennessee and East Tennessee in putting down guerrilla bands; leaving Nashville, Tenn., was stationed at Green Lake till he was discharged at Madison, Wis., Dec. 28, 1865; was commissioned First Lieutenant March 24, 1865. Married, Oct. 15, 1867, Miss Lucy A. CLARKE, daughter of Alvit and Sarah CLARKE, of Milton; had two children - Bessie E.; born June 29, 1873; baby, May 29, 1879. Member of I.O.O.F., Milton Lodge No. 65; corresponding member of the State Historical Society, and the Laphon Archaeological Society of Milwaukee. Wife is a member of the Baptist Church; he is a Liberal in religion and politics.