Bio: Clark, Nathen "Nate"  (1846 - 1899)

 

Contact: janet@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

 

Surnames: Clark, Collier, McGlaughlin, Cummings, Reiter, Axtell, Whitbeck, Ryder, Larson, Gay, Collins, Cook, Gilmore, Simpson, Cousins, Willard, Ferris

 

----Sources: Wisconsin Marriage, Birth and Death Records, Wisconsin State Census

 

Nathan was just three years old when his parents, Daniel and Rosanna Clark sought a new home for themselves and their growing family in the promising territory of Wisconsin even before it became the thirtieth state.  "Nate" had ten brothers and sisters and he was the third son and fifth child. 

 

At the age of 27, Nathan began practicing the tonsorial art (barbering) and hung usual tri-colored sign on the door of his shop on Main Street in Greenwood, Wisconsin, inviting the unshaven and unshorn to a seat in his comfortable barber chair. He shared the space with Joseph Pownder, who handled a full line of confectionery.  (THE TONSORIAL ARTIST SIGN--The traditional barbers pole represents ‘Blood and Bandages’. It originates from the grizzly days when barbers not only cut hair and shaved stubbly chins but also performed tooth extraction, bloodletting and some surgery. A traditional barbers pole has a brass finial representing the bleeding bowl. The bowl would have been kept at the top of the pole when not in use. The washed but still blood stained bandages were hung on the pole to dry. The wind whipped them around the pole giving us the red and white candy stripes we know today).

 

April 8, 1880, Adaline, the daughter of Charles E. & Margaret (McLaughlin) Cummings became Mrs. Nathan Clark, just a few months before her 20th birthday.  They resided in Mayville Twp. and the following February 3rd, (1881), they became the parents of a son, Frank Nathen Clark.  On the thirtieth day of May, 1882, she gave birth to another son, Newton Edwin Clark, and was apparently getting along nicely until a day or two before her death, she showed symptoms of puerperal fever, and though nothing was left undone that money and skilled physicians could do, her spirit was wafted to the other shore. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. W. V. Schlung, and attended by a large concourse of sympathizing friends.  To add to Nathan's grief, Newton also died July 7, 1882.  Both mother and child were buried in the Memorial Cemetery, Colby, Clark Co., Wis.

 

At the time of these deaths, Nathan was involved in the manufacturer of and dealer in pine and hard-wood lumber, lath, shingles, pickets, and also in general merchandise, at Mayville.  A large mill was erected by himself and Albert D. Bass in 1881, and in 1885 Mr. Bass bought out his interest. The capacity of the mill is 30,000 feet per day, and cuts from two to three millions each year.  Nathan Clark and Albert Bass were very successful in the logging business.  Their camps were in the vicinity of Curtiss.

Albert Bass & Nathan Clark built this mill on the creek, south of the present elevator and feed store in Curtiss, WI (1882). There was a pond behind the mill for floating logs and for use in the mill. The water barrels on the roof of the mill were used for fire protection. The stationary steam engine powered the large saws. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Bass are just to the left of the dog in the forefront. My grandfather, Andrew Olson, is standing in the front row to the far right. Stan Schwarze

 

In the summer of 1885, Nathan married Philena Lydia Collier who had turned twenty five the 4th of June.  Her home town was Onalaska, La Crosse Co., Wisconsin and she was the daughter of Hirum and Celindia (Axtell) Collier.  The wedding took place August 13th, in Greenwood, Wis. with Rev. G. C. Andrews performed the ceremony.  Philena was the mother of a toddler, Fanny, who was born in January, 1883.  We have not found any record of an adoption, but from that time on, she was always known as "Fanny Clark".  In 1891, another daughter joined the family and they named her Mary.

 

At the age of fifty-two, Nathan Clark died at his home in Onalaska, on Thursday, Feb. 2nd, 1899. He was buried in the City Cemetery.  Nate Clark was a big hearted, splendid fellow and had hosts of friends in this county who will regret his death and sympathies with the widow and the fatherless.

 

Philena Clark married Charles E. Reiter in Onalaska, Wis., November 6, 1901.  The combined families were recorded on the 1905 Wisconsin State Census.

In 1908, Philena (Collier) Clark failed to recover from an extended illness and died. She was buried in the Onalaska City Cemetery with other family members and her first husband, Nathan Clark.

 

***************

 

Obit: Clark, Adaline (24 Jun 1860 - 14 Jun 1882)

Died, at her home in Curtiss, Clark Co., Wis., on Wednesday, June 14th, 1882, of *puerperal fever, Adaline, wife of Nathan Clark.

 

*Puerperal infections, also known as postpartum infections, puerperal fever or childbed fever, is any bacterial infection of the female reproductive tract following childbirth or miscarriage.

 

----Sources: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 06/21/1882

Clark, in the 23rd years of her age.

Deceased was a former Colby lady, daughter of Mr. C. E. Cummings, and dearly loved by her many acquaintances. She was married to Mr. Clark, April 8th, 1880, and has since resided in the town of Mayville. On the thirtieth day of May she gave birth to a child and was apparently getting along nicely until a day or two before her death, she showed symptoms of puerperal fever, and though nothing was left undone that money and skilled physicians could do, her spirit was wafted to the other shore. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. W. V. Schlung, and attended by a large concourse of sympathizing friends. The many friends of Mrs. Clark in this town deeply sympathize with Mr. Clark in his severe affliction.


Margaret McGlaughlin (b. July 12, 1839, d. December 09, 1917)
Married Charles Edward Cummings (born January 30, 1838 in New York, Buffalo County, the son of David H. Cummings and Delia Ann Dean), August 03, 1858.

Children of Margaret McGlaughlin and Charles Edward Cummings

Sarah Evaline Cummings, b. June 04, 1865, Viola Township, MN275, d. October 30, 1948, Brook Park,MN275.
Charles C. Cummings, d. date unknown.
Albert C. Cummings, d. date unknown.
Maggie Cummings, d. date unknown.
Adaline Cummings, d. date unknown.

 

Margaret McGlaughlin275 was born July 12, 1839 in Roscommon County, Ireland275, and died December 09, 1917 in Colby, WI (died in house fire, she was blind).


Charles Edward Cummings (b. January 30, 1838 in Buffalo, NY, d. May 17, 1909 in Colby, Wis.)

 

----Source: La Crosse Tribune March 23, 1910

The family of Norman Larson, whose home was burned Saturday afternoon, have stored their household' weeks on the road In the Interests of goods saved from the fire In the the Pickle & Canning company, house owned by Mrs. J. E. Blankley, while looking for another house. They are staying at present with the
Misses Mary and Fanny Clark.

 

Wisconsin Marriage Records

 

BioM: Cummings, Adaline (1880)

 

Nathan Clark
Spouse's Name Adaline Cummings
Event Date 09 Apr 1880
Event Place Marathon, Wisconsin
Father's Name Daniel Clark
Mother's Name Roseanna Clark
Spouse's Father's Name Charles E. Cummings
Spouse's Mother's Name Margret Cummings
 

Nathan Clark
Birthplace Dodge Co., Wis.
Spouse's Name Philena L. Collier
Event Date 13 Aug 1885
Event Place Greenwood, Clark, Wisconsin
Father's Name David Clark
Mother's Name Rosoah Clark
Spouse's Father's Name H.  (Hyrum) J. Collier
Spouse's Mother's Name Cillinda (Axtell) Collier
Race White
Spouse's Race White

 

BioM: Collier, Philena  Lydia (Marriage - 13 Aug. 1885)

 

Clark - Collier - In Greenwood, Thursday, Aug. 13, 1885, by Rev. G. C. Andrews, Mr. Nathan Clark, of La Crosse, to Miss Philena L. (Lydia) Collier, of Greenwood. Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 18 Aug. 1885

 

BioM: Collier, Philena Lydia Clark (1901)

 

Charles E. Reiter

Birthplace: Albany co., New York

Spouse's Name: Philena L. Clark

Spouse's Birthplace: Waupaca Co., Wisconsin

Marriage date: 6 Nov 1901

Location: City of Onalaska, LaCrosse, Wisconsin

Father's Name: Martin Reiter

Mother's Name: Mary Porter

Spouse's Father's Name: Hyrum Collier

Spouse's Mother's Name: Celindia Axtell

Race: Whtie

Spouse's Race: White

 

Philena (Lydia) Collier
Birthdate: 1864
Birthplace: Ogdensburg, Waupaca Co., Wisconsin
Death: ca. 1908
Immediate Family:
Daughter of Hiram J. Collier (12 Jul 1838 - 8 May 1905, Onalaska, Wis., Onalaska City Cemetery) and Celinda Axtel
Wife of Nathan Clark and Charles E Reiter
Half sister of Frederick Allen Collier; Herbert Alva Collier; Edwin Merrill Collier; John Lester Collier; Ernest Clyde Collier and 1 other

Children: Fanny C. Collier Clark (Jan 1883 - 1922) & Mary L. Clark (Aug 1891- 1956)

 

----Source: La Crosse Tribune March 25, 1908

ONALASKA, WIS.

A pleasant birthday surprise was given Mrs. Philena Clark Monday afternoon by a number of her friends and neighbors. Refreshments were taken along and a pleasant afternoon was spent. Mrs. Clark was the recipient of a handsome present in remembrance of the occasion.

 

----Source: La Crosse Tribune April 15, 1908

ONALASKA, WIS., April 15.— (Special.)-—

The condition of Mrs. Philena Clark, who has been sick for sometime, is very low and no hopes are entertained for her recovery.

 

Bio: Clark, Frank Nathen / Nathan (1881 - 1956)

 

1917-1918 Draft Registration, La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

Frank Nathen Clark, White Male, Medium height and build, blue eyes, brown hair and no physical disqualifications
Nationality Native born, United States Citizen
Birth: 03 Feb 1881, (Colby, Clark, Wisconsin) United States
Address: Onalaska, LaCrosse Co., Wis.
Occupation: Operator of Canning Machinery for R. J. Loveland of Audubon, Audubon, Iowa
Nearest Relative: Mrs. Alfred G. Holtz, LaCrosse Co., Wis.

Signature of Frank Nathen Clark:

 

1942 Draft Registration, United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States

Frank Nathan Clark, 61 yr. old male
Serial #1241
Residence: 1824 West Ave. S., La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Telephone: 1390-R
Birth: 03 Feb 1881, Curtis, Wisconsin
Employer: Charles Raymond, Jr., 912 Jackson St., La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Contact: Fred Wheir, 308 S. 3rd St. La Crosse, Wisconsin
Signature of Frank N. Clark:

 

1850 Wisconsin State Census, Lowell, Dodge, Wisconsin, United States, House Number 569

 

Nathan Clark, 4 yr. old, white single male

Household Members

Daniel Clark M 43 (1807) Vermont
Rosanna Clark F 37 Ohio
Mary Clark F 17 New York
Ralph Clark M 15 Ohio
Henry Clark M 11 Ohio
Anna Clark F 10 Ohio
Charles Clark M 8 Wisconsin
Betsey Clark F 5 Wisconsin
Nathan Clark M 4 (1846) Wisconsin
Ellen Clark F 1 Wisconsin

 

1860 Federal Census, Town Of Holland, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States, Page 212


Daniel Clark, 53 yr. old, white male

Household  Members

Daniel Clark M 53 (1807) Vermont
Rosanna Clark F 50 (1810) Vermont
Mary Clark F 28 Vermont
Ralph Clark M 26 Vermont
Henry Clark M 22 Vermont
Betsey Clark F 15 (1845) Vermont
Nathan Clark M 14 Vermont
Ellen Clark F 11 Vermont
Hiran Clark M 10 Wisconsin
Daniel Clark M 8 (1852) Wisconsin
David Clark M 4 Wisconsin
Rosanna Clark F 6 Wisconsin
Newton Clark M 0 Wisconsin

 

1870 Federal Census, Holland, LaCrosse Co., Wisconsin, pg. 20


Daniel Clark, 63 yr. old white male farmer

Estate: $1200; Personal $250

Household  Members

Daniel Clark M 63 (1806-1807) Vermont
Rusonah Clark F 57 Ohio, keeping house
Ralph Clark M 35 Ohio, farm hand
Rusonah Clark F 16 Wisconsin, at home
Betsey Clark F 23 Wisconsin, at home
Hiram Clark M 19 (1851) Wisconsin, farm hand
Daniel Clark M 18 (1852) Wisconsin, farm hand


1880 Federal Census, Mayville, Clark, Wisconsin, United States

 

Nathan Clark, 29 yrs. old, white, married male
Occupation Lumbering In Woods
Birthplace Wisconsin, United States
Father's Birthplace Vermont, United States
Mother's Birthplace Ohio, United States 

Household Members

Nathan Clark Self M 29 Wisconsin, United States
Adaline Clark Wife F 19 Wisconsin, United States
John Carlson Other M 35 Sweden

 

1880 Federal Census, Mayville, Clark, Wisconsin, United States


Philena Collier, 16 yr. old white single female
Birth Year (Estimated) 1864 

Household Members

Heiram J  R Collier Self M 42 (1838) New York, United States
Martha Collier Wife F 37 Ohio, United States
Philena Collier Daughter F 16 (1864) Wisconsin, United States
Herbert Collier Son M 12 Wisconsin, United States
Edwin M Collier Son M 11 Wisconsin, United States
Fredrick M Collier Son M 4 Wisconsin, United States
Ernest C Collier Son M 2 Wisconsin, United States
John L Collier Son M 8 Wisconsin, United States

 

1880 Federal Census, Holland, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States

 

Rosana Clark, 67 yrs. old, white widowed female
Father's Birthplace New York, United States
Mother's Birthplace New York, United States
 

Household Members
Rosana Clark Self F 67 (1813) Ohio, United States
Ralph Clark Son M 45 Ohio, United States
Daniel Clark Son M 27 Wisconsin, United States

 

1900 Federal Census, Onalaska city Ward 1-3, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States

 

Philena Clark, 36 yr. old, white widowed female
Birth Date Mar 1864
Birthplace Wisconsin
Father's Birthplace New York
Mother's Birthplace Maine
Mother of how many children 2
 

Household Members
Philena Clark Head F 36 (Mar 1864), Wisconsin, mother of 2 children - 2 living
Fanny C. Clark Daughter F 17 (Jan 1883) Wisconsin
Mary L Clark Daughter F 9 (Aug 1891) Wisconsin
Frank N. Clark Stepson M 19 (Feb 1881) Wisconsin, day laborer

 

1900 Federal Census, Wheatland township Desoto village, Vernon, Wisconsin, United States

 

C. E. Reiter, 48 yrs. old, white widowed male
Father's Birthplace Germany
Mother's Birthplace Canada Fr
 

Household Members

C. E. Reiter Head M 48 (May 1852) New York
Walter C Reiter Son M 23 (Mar 1877) Wisconsin
Mertie Reiter Daughter F 22 (Jan 1878) Wisconsin
Ella Reiter Daughter-in-law F 26 (Jul 1874) Wisconsin, no children
Charles H Collins Boarder M 27 (Sep 1873) Wisconsin, Dept. Sheriff
Walter Ferris Boarder M 27 (Jul 1873) Iowa, Day Laborer
Robert Williard Boarder M 23 (Apr 1877) Wisconsin, Day Laborer
Frank Cousins Boarder M 26 (Aug  1874) Iowa, Day Laborer
George Simpson Boarder M 24 (Jun 1876)  Wisconsin, Day Laborer
George Gilmore Boarder M 23 (Apr 1877) Wisconsin, Day Laborer
William Cook Boarder M 24 (Apr 1872) Wisconsin, Day Laborer
Edd J Collins Boarder M 37 (Aug 1863) Wisconsin, Day Laborer

 

1905 Wisconsin State Census, Onalaska city, La Crosse, Wisconsin, Page 790

 

Charles E Reiter, 53 yr. old white married male

Occupation: Landlord
Parent 1 Birthplace Germany
Parent 2 Birthplace Canada

Household Members

Charles E Reiter Head M 53y (1852) New York
Paulinca Reiter Wife F 41y (1864) Wisconsin
Fanny C Clark Step Daughter F 18y Wisconsin
Mary L Clark Step Daughter F 13y (1891) Wisconsin
Clifford Whitbeck Lodger M 17y Wisconsin
Len Whitbeck Lodger M 27y Wisconsin
Gilbert Ryder Lodger M 20y Wisconsin
Math Larson Lodger M 72y Norway
James Gay Lodger M 77y England

 

1910 Federal Census, Onalaska Ward 3, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States


Frank Clark, 29 yr. old white single male
Father's Birthplace Wisconsin
Mother's Birthplace Wisconsin
 

Household Members
George French Head M 60 (1850) England
Caroline French Wife F 54 (1854) Indiana
Anna French Daughter F 24 Wisconsin
Luella Leinlokher Daughter F 27 Wisconsin
Leroy Clark Head F y Ohio
Ralph Clark Brother M y Ohio
Frank Clark Nephew M 29 Wisconsin


1920 Federal Census, Holland, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States

 

Fannie Clark, 33 yr. old single white female servant
Father's Birthplace Wisconsin
Mother's Birthplace Wisconsin
 

Household Members
Eugene Whitbeck Head M 36 Wisconsin
Caroline Whitbeck Wife F 33 Wisconsin
Flora Whitbeck Daughter F 15 Wisconsin
Martha Whitbeck Daughter F 13 Wisconsin
Pearl Whitbeck Daughter F 11 Wisconsin
Johnnie Whitbeck Son M 9 Wisconsin
Howard Whitbeck Son M 3 Wisconsin
Clayton Whitbeck Son M 0 Wisconsin
Lenord Whitbeck Brother M 44 Wisconsin
Fannie Clark Servant F 33 Wisconsin

 

1910 Federal Census, Onalaska Ward 3, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States

 

Mary Clark, 18 yr. old, white, single, female
Father's Birthplace Wisconsin
Mother's Birthplace Wisconsin

Household Members
Faney Clark Head F 23 Wisconsin
Mary Clark Sister F 18 Wisconsin
Len Witbeck Boarder M 34 Wisconsin

 

1940 Federal Census, Bergen Town, Vernon, Wisconsin, United States

 

Frank Clark, 59 yr. old, white, widowed male farmer
Birthplace Wisconsin
Birth Year (Estimated) 1881
Last Place of Residence Rural, La Crosse, Wisconsin

 

Wisconsin Birth Records

 
Nathan Clark
Birthplace Wisconsin
Gender Male
Wife UNKNOWN (Philena L. Collier)
Daughter Mary L. Clark

Name Mary L. Clark
Gender Female
Birth Date 03 Aug 1891
Birthplace Onalaska, La Crosse Co., Wisconsin
Race White
Father's Name Nathan Clark
Father's Birthplace Wisconsin
Mother's Birthplace Waupaca Co., Wis.

*Mary L. Clark died in 1952

 

Wisconsin Death Records

 

Obit: Clark, Nathan (1846 - 1899)

 

Nathan Clark
Event Type Burial
Event Date 1899
Event Place Onalaska, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States of America
Birth Date 28 Jun 1846
Death Date 02 Feb 1899
Cemetery Onalaska City Cemetery

 

Adaline Clark
Event Place , United States of America
Birth: 24 Jun 1860

Parents: Charles E. & Margaret (McGlaughlin) Cummings

Marriage: 8-Apr-1880 to Nathan M. Clark
Death: 14 Jun 1882 
Cemetery Colby Cemetery Clark, Colby, Clark, Wisconsin

 
Obit: Clark, Frank Nathen / Nathan (1881 - 1956)

 

Frank Nathen / Nathan Clark
Location:  Onalaska, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States of America
Birth: 3 Feb 1881 (Curtiss, Clark, Wis.)
Death: 1956
Cemetery Onalaska City Cemetery

 

Family Members buried in the Ashbury Cemetery, Onalaska, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Clark Daniel 72 yrs - 26 Jun 1879 , Lot #AC-17 1 58 3
Clark David 10 yrs -14 Sep 1866 , Lot #AC-17 1 58 2
Clark Newton 22 mos -11 Jul 1861 , Lot #AC-17 1 58 1
Clark Rosanna 71 yrs -29 Dec 1882 , Lot #AC-17 1 58 4
 

 

 


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