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Carroll H. Clark obtained his primary
education in an old school house, which was minus floor and chimney, and
for a time pursued his studies under the direction of Rev. Patrick Moore,
who is still an honored resident of Van Buren county. Later, he attended
the York Academy, in spencer, walking four miles to school; but while a
student in that institution the Civil War broke out, and he laid aside
his test books to join the Confederate army. As a private, he enlisted
in Company I, Sixteenth Tennessee Infantry, under Colonel John Savage,
and came out of the service bare headed and barefooted, but entitled to
a Lieutenant's commission. At the battle of Perryville, he was wounded
by a gunshot which came near ending his life, and on account of his wound
was unable to take part in the battle of Murfreesboro. Later he participated
in the battle of Chickamauga, both days; was with Johnston on the retreat
through Georgia, taking part in all the battles, and on the 22nd of July,
1864, was again wounded in front of Atlanta, a musket ball passing through
his left arm. On leaving the hospital, he joined his command in North Carolina,
after a long tramp, and was at Jonesboro, that state, when they surrendered,
April 26, 1865.
Mr. Clark's capital at the close
of the war consisted of a world of energy, which has been the means of
bringing to him success, as he had no money to aid him. Returning to his
old home, he bought a small piece of land, and, in connection with its
cultivation, he taught some small schools. In 1874 he was the people's
choice for sheriff of the county, and so acceptably did he fill the office
that he was re-elected in 1876. Two years later he was elected circuit
clerk, and, in 1882, was re-elected to that position, the duties of which
he discharged with promptness and fidelity. On the expiration of his second
term he was appointed deputy and served in that capacity for a few years,
after which he was deputy clerk and master for ten years. For four years
he has also been a member of the county court, and, during President Cleveland's
second administration, was post-master of Spencer for four years and one
month. His official career was ever above reproach, always leaving office
as he had entered it -- with the confidence and good will of the entire
community. In his political views Mr. Clark is a Democrat. In 1894 he embarked
in merchandising in Spencer, and is now successfully engaged in that business.
On the 17th of October, 1867, Mr.
Clark married Miss Keziah Mooneyham, who was born in Van Buren county,
April 10, 1850, and died September 9, 1897, leaving three children, namely:
Charles M., a farmer of Van Buren county; and Frank S. and Robert Y., both
at home. A son and daughter are deceased - Clenney, who died in childhood
and Daisy at the age of six years. Mr. Clark is an active worker in and
prominent member of the Christian church at Spencer, in which he is now
serving as secretary and treasurer.
Transcribed with all the commas, dashes and lack of capitalization from Memorial and Biographical Record of the Cumberland Region, An Illustrated Compendium of Biography. Geo. A. Ogle & Co. Chicago, 1898. pp. 253 and 254.
