CLARK, MATT
CLARK, MATT
CELEBRATE 90TH BIRTHDAY.
Newspaper. “Clipping from a paper in 1924. The paper is not known nor who wrote the article. The clipping was found in the Bible of Mr. and Mrs. P. Northcutt.”
Our fellowtownsman and neighbor, Mr. M. R. Clark, enjoyed a very delightful day Wednesday, April 15th, when he was tendered by Mrs. Clark and his children, Mr. and Mrs. Claud Clark and Mr. and Mrs. Will Clark, a birthday dinner at his hospitable home here.
Mr. Clark, who was ninety years old that day, is possibly the oldest resident of this part of Texas. He came with his parents from Jackson county, Tennessee, to Texas in the year 1845. Mr. Clark, who has been in better health this spring than for several years, greatly enjoyed the day. On account of Mrs. Clark not being well no large gathering was made. Only the near relatives and a few intimate friends were present.
Mrs. Mary Acker and daughter, Miss Mattie, the latter having a birthday on the same date, were present; William; Mr. and Mrs. Claud Clark, Mrs. A. C. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Freeman, Dr. and Mrs. Rogers, Dr. and Mrs. Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Clark, of Bethany; Mrs. Annie Smith and Mrs. F. P. Shrader.
The dinner was all that could have been asked. And the attractive feature of the table was a handsome cake decorated with ninety wax candles. Miss Mattie Acker assisted the host in extinguishing the tapers.
The day was fine, everybody was in the best of spirits and Mr. Clark seemed as happy as his small grandson.
The after dinner reminiscences were full of interest to those of use who came to Texas in later days.
The year that Texas came in as a state Mr. Clark’s father with his family, Uncle Colie White and Judge Patterson, who located on the land where much of the city of Denton now stands, members of the same party purchased tickets at Nashville on the Cumberland and Ohio rivers to the Mississippi. Down that stream to the mouth of Red river then up to Shreveport and across the country by wagon. Mr. Clark’s father head-registered six hundred and forty acres of land some seven miles south of Lebanon on what has long been known as the Joe Huffman place. The farm is now owned by J. M. Daffron, and the house was destroyed by fire a few weeks ago. Mr. Clark was about ten years old when they came to this state. The first Indians he ever saw came in a band of more than a hundred and camped just over the rise from their home. The men folks were away. Only the negro woman and the children were at home. Mr. Clark has lost his mother not long after they came to Texas. When their father, accompanied by Mr. White, came home that night, the children told them about the Indians. The Indians were returning from a big hunt farther to the southwest. The next morning six or seven of the braves came to the house with painted faces, an indication they were on the warpath. The children could see that their father and Uncle Colie were visibly excited. However, after parleying awhile in their own language, the Indians went away, broke camp and moved on. This was the last and only time they saw anything of the Indians in this community.
The first school Mr. Clark attended in Texas was taught by a Miss Frost in a little school house a mile northeast of Plano.
When asked about the postoffice facilities, “Where did you get your mail?” Mr Clark readily replied. “From Shreveport,” However, he said, “we didn’t get very much mail in those days; most of the news we learned from new comers from other states. It will be remembered that Texas settled fast after having been admitted into the Union. The nearest grist mill was at Bonham, until Mr. Clark’s father himself built a small mill in the creek near his home where corn could be ground.
We younger folks complain a good deal about hard times, and really think so until we hear some of these pioneers relate their experiences. Collin county had been laid out but the first attempt to locate a courthouse was July 4th, 1846, when a handful of settlers gathered at a little country store and blacksmith shop called Buckner, four or five miles northeast of McKinney. The latter town had not yet been mentioned. In order to attend this celebration Mr. Clark’s father and mother, with himself and Mr. White, left home the day before, went up towards McKinney and spent the night with Dow and Daddy Baccus’ grandfather and next morning on to Buckner to the celebration. An American flag had been obtained and fastened to a pole and the few settlers tried to celebrate. However, the next year a larger meeting was held south of where McKinney now stands, the site was chosen and the town laid out. A man of the name of Bradley was the first sheriff. And right here, speaking of courts, it will not be inappropriate to mention that Mr. Clark, who has always taken an interest in county and state affairs, is one of the two remaining jurors who tried and convicted Ballew, the murderer of young Golden in the early seventies. The late Capt. William Bush was sheriff at the time. Mr. Clark spent much of his early life before a railroad came through this county, in hauling freight, including lumber, with ox teams, from Shreveport, Jefferson, Marshall and other east Texas towns. he has been a public spirited man all his life, ever ready in the upbuilding of his county and state, church and school. And is held in the highest esteem by his neighbors.
Mr. Clark’s war record is equal to any. Having enlisted as a volunteer in the 476th Texas Regiment, Company K, J. W. Throckmorton, Captain and Capt. Gabe Fitzhugh first lieutenant. Mr. Clark was held as a prisoner fourteen months at Camp Morten, Indianapolis. however, with forty-six others he made his escape and was not recaptured, but made his way home as it was near the close of the war. Mr. Clark still lives in Frisco, though he still owns his fine farm south of Lebanon which is occupied and cultivated by his son, Claude, and his son-in-law, Will Clark, and families.
CELEBRATE 90TH BIRTHDAY.
Newspaper. “Clipping from a paper in 1924. The paper is not known nor who wrote the article. The clipping was found in the Bible of Mr. and Mrs. P. Northcutt.”
Our fellowtownsman and neighbor, Mr. M. R. Clark, enjoyed a very delightful day Wednesday, April 15th, when he was tendered by Mrs. Clark and his children, Mr. and Mrs. Claud Clark and Mr. and Mrs. Will Clark, a birthday dinner at his hospitable home here.
Mr. Clark, who was ninety years old that day, is possibly the oldest resident of this part of Texas. He came with his parents from Jackson county, Tennessee, to Texas in the year 1845. Mr. Clark, who has been in better health this spring than for several years, greatly enjoyed the day. On account of Mrs. Clark not being well no large gathering was made. Only the near relatives and a few intimate friends were present.
Mrs. Mary Acker and daughter, Miss Mattie, the latter having a birthday on the same date, were present; William; Mr. and Mrs. Claud Clark, Mrs. A. C. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Freeman, Dr. and Mrs. Rogers, Dr. and Mrs. Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Clark, of Bethany; Mrs. Annie Smith and Mrs. F. P. Shrader.
The dinner was all that could have been asked. And the attractive feature of the table was a handsome cake decorated with ninety wax candles. Miss Mattie Acker assisted the host in extinguishing the tapers.
The day was fine, everybody was in the best of spirits and Mr. Clark seemed as happy as his small grandson.
The after dinner reminiscences were full of interest to those of use who came to Texas in later days.
The year that Texas came in as a state Mr. Clark’s father with his family, Uncle Colie White and Judge Patterson, who located on the land where much of the city of Denton now stands, members of the same party purchased tickets at Nashville on the Cumberland and Ohio rivers to the Mississippi. Down that stream to the mouth of Red river then up to Shreveport and across the country by wagon. Mr. Clark’s father head-registered six hundred and forty acres of land some seven miles south of Lebanon on what has long been known as the Joe Huffman place. The farm is now owned by J. M. Daffron, and the house was destroyed by fire a few weeks ago. Mr. Clark was about ten years old when they came to this state. The first Indians he ever saw came in a band of more than a hundred and camped just over the rise from their home. The men folks were away. Only the negro woman and the children were at home. Mr. Clark has lost his mother not long after they came to Texas. When their father, accompanied by Mr. White, came home that night, the children told them about the Indians. The Indians were returning from a big hunt farther to the southwest. The next morning six or seven of the braves came to the house with painted faces, an indication they were on the warpath. The children could see that their father and Uncle Colie were visibly excited. However, after parleying awhile in their own language, the Indians went away, broke camp and moved on. This was the last and only time they saw anything of the Indians in this community.
The first school Mr. Clark attended in Texas was taught by a Miss Frost in a little school house a mile northeast of Plano.
When asked about the postoffice facilities, “Where did you get your mail?” Mr Clark readily replied. “From Shreveport,” However, he said, “we didn’t get very much mail in those days; most of the news we learned from new comers from other states. It will be remembered that Texas settled fast after having been admitted into the Union. The nearest grist mill was at Bonham, until Mr. Clark’s father himself built a small mill in the creek near his home where corn could be ground.
We younger folks complain a good deal about hard times, and really think so until we hear some of these pioneers relate their experiences. Collin county had been laid out but the first attempt to locate a courthouse was July 4th, 1846, when a handful of settlers gathered at a little country store and blacksmith shop called Buckner, four or five miles northeast of McKinney. The latter town had not yet been mentioned. In order to attend this celebration Mr. Clark’s father and mother, with himself and Mr. White, left home the day before, went up towards McKinney and spent the night with Dow and Daddy Baccus’ grandfather and next morning on to Buckner to the celebration. An American flag had been obtained and fastened to a pole and the few settlers tried to celebrate. However, the next year a larger meeting was held south of where McKinney now stands, the site was chosen and the town laid out. A man of the name of Bradley was the first sheriff. And right here, speaking of courts, it will not be inappropriate to mention that Mr. Clark, who has always taken an interest in county and state affairs, is one of the two remaining jurors who tried and convicted Ballew, the murderer of young Golden in the early seventies. The late Capt. William Bush was sheriff at the time. Mr. Clark spent much of his early life before a railroad came through this county, in hauling freight, including lumber, with ox teams, from Shreveport, Jefferson, Marshall and other east Texas towns. he has been a public spirited man all his life, ever ready in the upbuilding of his county and state, church and school. And is held in the highest esteem by his neighbors.
Mr. Clark’s war record is equal to any. Having enlisted as a volunteer in the 476th Texas Regiment, Company K, J. W. Throckmorton, Captain and Capt. Gabe Fitzhugh first lieutenant. Mr. Clark was held as a prisoner fourteen months at Camp Morten, Indianapolis. however, with forty-six others he made his escape and was not recaptured, but made his way home as it was near the close of the war. Mr. Clark still lives in Frisco, though he still owns his fine farm south of Lebanon which is occupied and cultivated by his son, Claude, and his son-in-law, Will Clark, and families.
UNCLE MATT CLARK DIED 3 A.M. DEC 15,
Newspaper, 1926.
After years of suffering Uncle Matt Clark went to sleep in that last long sleep from which he shall awaken at the last trump, death overtaking the sufferer shortly after 3 o’clock Wednesday morning, December 15th. A little over a week ago Uncle Matt developed pneumonia after taking to his bed with another ailment. His wonderful constitution kept him alive through an entire week after pneumonia set in.
This another of the early settlers has dropped from the list. The Biographical Souvenir of Texas, published in 1889, has the following about Mr. Clark.
“Matthew R. Clark, now a wealthy farmer of Texas, was born in Jackson county, Tennessee, April 15, 1835, and is entirely self-educated. he is the fifth of seven children born to Lanson and Edith (Rogers) Clark, both natives of Tennessee.
“M. R. Clark was but ten years of age when he was brought to Texas by his parents, and, after the death of his father, hired out until 1860 when he did service as a Texas Ranger until his enlistment, in 1863, in Stone’s Sixth Texas regiment, Co. F. He first served in Arkansas and Missouri, and in 1862-63 in Tennessee and Mississippi, taking part in many hard fought battles. In Mississippi he was captured and taken to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, where he was confined fourteen months, but one night forty-five prisoners broke away and scattered, and all escaped, he among them. He returned to Texas the year after the close of the war, being then thirty years of age, and began teaming and freighting, and as there was no railroads in the country, did a good business. This he followed for five years, and then bought 160 acres of raw land, to which he has added from time to time, until now he owns over five hundred acres, well improved, with good buildings, etc. In 1884 Mr. Clark married Miss Lou E. Smith, daughter of George W. Smith, who was born and who died in Tennessee, but whose family afterward came to Texas, in 1880. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Clark, and are named Verdie and Claud L., another daughter, Maud, having died some years ago.”
Mrs. Clark preceded her husband in death on November 23, 1925, since which time he continued to live in the old home in Frisco, having his daughter, Mrs. Verdie Clark, and family to live with him.
Mr. Clark was converted and joined the Methodist church about forty years ago and was an official in the Lebanon Methodist church until it was dissolved.
Funeral services were held in the Frisco Methodist church at 1 o’clock Thursday, December 16th, burial being made in Rowlett cemetery.
Byrum & Byrd, local undertakers, had charge of the funeral.
Rev. L. G. Hagard, pastor of the Methodist church, conducted the services and was assisted by Revs. W. S. Miller and J. H. Gerault.
TRIBUTE TO MEMORY OF UNCLE MATT CLARK
Newspaper.
Matthew Rogers Clark was born April 15, 1835; died December 15, 1926. He had lived too long in the forefront of christian citizenship in our midst to allow his departure to be recorded with a passing notice. having known this good man for something like forty years it is no hard task to pen a few lines about his long and useful life.
It is doubtful if any other man in North Texas has been held in such high and loving remembrance as has been Matt Clark.
The subject of this sketch was born in Jackson county, Tennessee and was brought to Texas with his parents, Lanson and Edith (Rogers) Clark being at the time only ten years of age. His father located a few miles south of Lebanon, Collin county and this little boy remembered much of the hardships of those early days. Indians were here then, and food was scarce. Having lost his parents while he was yet a youth, he worked by the month to support himself and the other children. In 1860 he joined the Texas Rangers, and was in that service for three years. Mr. Clark was in Northwest Texas with the Rangers when a squad of young men were selected to make a raid on a bunch of Indians camped some miles to the north of them. Word had been received that little Cynthia Ann Parker, who had been stolen by the Indians some time before, was in this camp. The only reason Mr. Clark was not selected as a member of this squad was that the day before he had traded his fine riding horse (he always rode a good horse) for a new one not well broken. I will say in passing the little white girl was recaptured and brought back to civilization. In 1863 Mr. Clark joined the Confederate service – Stone’s Sixth Texas Regiment, Company F. He first served in Arkansas and Missouri, and afterwards in Tennessee and Mississippi. However it is about Mr. Clark’s civil life I am thinking. Few men has possessed a more amiable and at the same time a more active disposition. Thoughtful and earnest he never read trash, but his mind was on the best things of life. His was a sociable nature. The soul of hospitality. He enjoyed company in his home. His doors were open to friends and strangers alike. He also took great interest in the up-building of his community. Whenever a committee was appointed to solicit funds for the building of a church or schoolhouse it was easily understood that a liberal donation could be expected from Mr. Clark.
Up until two years ago at the election for governor he took an interest in all public questions, and was always found on the side of clean and sensible politics.
The present wave of lawlessness and crime greatly disturbed him and he was often heard to quote passages from 2nd Timothy, 3rd Chapter, which says in the last days perilous times shall come. And then he would remark: “We are surely living in the last days.” Mr. Clark was well past middle life when he accepted Christ as his Savior. This writer was present on a fine Sunday morning at the Baptist church at Lebanon under the influence of a soul stirring sermon by J. T. McCandless, pastor, whose subject was “The Fatherhood of God.” It was during one of those discouraging seasons, which are not infrequent in this state, the price of wheat had fallen and the drouth was on. But the preacher had given such comforting words to those who put their trust in the Lord, that when the invitation was given for any one who would accept Jesus as a Savior. Mr. Clark came forward with a face diffused in tears and accepted the invitation. After the prayer he was on his feet shaking hands with the brethren and with a new light in his eyes giving evidence of the new happiness within. However, it was not until some time afterwards that he united with the Methodist church of which his wife was a member. His life from this time on was greatly lived in the service of his Lord. his faith in God grew stronger as the years went by and only last spring when it looked like the cotton crop would be a failure his children were around him at his home here and speaking of how blue farmers were Mr. Clark said, “I long ago found out that the best remedy for ‘the blues’ is my Bible.”
Truly a good man has passed from our midst, but his life and example will live on through many coming years.....
A Friend.
Newspaper, 1926.
After years of suffering Uncle Matt Clark went to sleep in that last long sleep from which he shall awaken at the last trump, death overtaking the sufferer shortly after 3 o’clock Wednesday morning, December 15th. A little over a week ago Uncle Matt developed pneumonia after taking to his bed with another ailment. His wonderful constitution kept him alive through an entire week after pneumonia set in.
This another of the early settlers has dropped from the list. The Biographical Souvenir of Texas, published in 1889, has the following about Mr. Clark.
“Matthew R. Clark, now a wealthy farmer of Texas, was born in Jackson county, Tennessee, April 15, 1835, and is entirely self-educated. he is the fifth of seven children born to Lanson and Edith (Rogers) Clark, both natives of Tennessee.
“M. R. Clark was but ten years of age when he was brought to Texas by his parents, and, after the death of his father, hired out until 1860 when he did service as a Texas Ranger until his enlistment, in 1863, in Stone’s Sixth Texas regiment, Co. F. He first served in Arkansas and Missouri, and in 1862-63 in Tennessee and Mississippi, taking part in many hard fought battles. In Mississippi he was captured and taken to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, where he was confined fourteen months, but one night forty-five prisoners broke away and scattered, and all escaped, he among them. He returned to Texas the year after the close of the war, being then thirty years of age, and began teaming and freighting, and as there was no railroads in the country, did a good business. This he followed for five years, and then bought 160 acres of raw land, to which he has added from time to time, until now he owns over five hundred acres, well improved, with good buildings, etc. In 1884 Mr. Clark married Miss Lou E. Smith, daughter of George W. Smith, who was born and who died in Tennessee, but whose family afterward came to Texas, in 1880. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Clark, and are named Verdie and Claud L., another daughter, Maud, having died some years ago.”
Mrs. Clark preceded her husband in death on November 23, 1925, since which time he continued to live in the old home in Frisco, having his daughter, Mrs. Verdie Clark, and family to live with him.
Mr. Clark was converted and joined the Methodist church about forty years ago and was an official in the Lebanon Methodist church until it was dissolved.
Funeral services were held in the Frisco Methodist church at 1 o’clock Thursday, December 16th, burial being made in Rowlett cemetery.
Byrum & Byrd, local undertakers, had charge of the funeral.
Rev. L. G. Hagard, pastor of the Methodist church, conducted the services and was assisted by Revs. W. S. Miller and J. H. Gerault.
TRIBUTE TO MEMORY OF UNCLE MATT CLARK
Newspaper.
Matthew Rogers Clark was born April 15, 1835; died December 15, 1926. He had lived too long in the forefront of christian citizenship in our midst to allow his departure to be recorded with a passing notice. having known this good man for something like forty years it is no hard task to pen a few lines about his long and useful life.
It is doubtful if any other man in North Texas has been held in such high and loving remembrance as has been Matt Clark.
The subject of this sketch was born in Jackson county, Tennessee and was brought to Texas with his parents, Lanson and Edith (Rogers) Clark being at the time only ten years of age. His father located a few miles south of Lebanon, Collin county and this little boy remembered much of the hardships of those early days. Indians were here then, and food was scarce. Having lost his parents while he was yet a youth, he worked by the month to support himself and the other children. In 1860 he joined the Texas Rangers, and was in that service for three years. Mr. Clark was in Northwest Texas with the Rangers when a squad of young men were selected to make a raid on a bunch of Indians camped some miles to the north of them. Word had been received that little Cynthia Ann Parker, who had been stolen by the Indians some time before, was in this camp. The only reason Mr. Clark was not selected as a member of this squad was that the day before he had traded his fine riding horse (he always rode a good horse) for a new one not well broken. I will say in passing the little white girl was recaptured and brought back to civilization. In 1863 Mr. Clark joined the Confederate service – Stone’s Sixth Texas Regiment, Company F. He first served in Arkansas and Missouri, and afterwards in Tennessee and Mississippi. However it is about Mr. Clark’s civil life I am thinking. Few men has possessed a more amiable and at the same time a more active disposition. Thoughtful and earnest he never read trash, but his mind was on the best things of life. His was a sociable nature. The soul of hospitality. He enjoyed company in his home. His doors were open to friends and strangers alike. He also took great interest in the up-building of his community. Whenever a committee was appointed to solicit funds for the building of a church or schoolhouse it was easily understood that a liberal donation could be expected from Mr. Clark.
Up until two years ago at the election for governor he took an interest in all public questions, and was always found on the side of clean and sensible politics.
The present wave of lawlessness and crime greatly disturbed him and he was often heard to quote passages from 2nd Timothy, 3rd Chapter, which says in the last days perilous times shall come. And then he would remark: “We are surely living in the last days.” Mr. Clark was well past middle life when he accepted Christ as his Savior. This writer was present on a fine Sunday morning at the Baptist church at Lebanon under the influence of a soul stirring sermon by J. T. McCandless, pastor, whose subject was “The Fatherhood of God.” It was during one of those discouraging seasons, which are not infrequent in this state, the price of wheat had fallen and the drouth was on. But the preacher had given such comforting words to those who put their trust in the Lord, that when the invitation was given for any one who would accept Jesus as a Savior. Mr. Clark came forward with a face diffused in tears and accepted the invitation. After the prayer he was on his feet shaking hands with the brethren and with a new light in his eyes giving evidence of the new happiness within. However, it was not until some time afterwards that he united with the Methodist church of which his wife was a member. His life from this time on was greatly lived in the service of his Lord. his faith in God grew stronger as the years went by and only last spring when it looked like the cotton crop would be a failure his children were around him at his home here and speaking of how blue farmers were Mr. Clark said, “I long ago found out that the best remedy for ‘the blues’ is my Bible.”
Truly a good man has passed from our midst, but his life and example will live on through many coming years.....
A Friend.
MATTHEW CLARK
Family history.
Matthew R. Clark, now a wealthy farmer of Texas, was born in Jackson, County, Tennessee, April 15, 1835, and is entirely self-educated. He is the fifth of seven children born to Lanson and Edith (Rogers) Clark, both natives of Tennessee. Lanson Clark was a colonel of militia in his state, and was a merchant, but on coming to Texas, in 1845, became a farmer, and died in 1850. Mrs. Edith Clark was a daughter of Matthew Rogers, who was born and died in Tennessee.
Lanson Clark m. Edith Rogers
Children:
Elizabeth Clark
Matilde Clark
?
?
Mathew Rogers Clark
Richard Calhoun Clark
Alvin Cullum Clark
Richard (Dick) Clark
Bessie Clark
Matthew R. Clark
Family history.
Matthew R. Clark, now a wealthy farmer of Texas, was born in Jackson, County, Tennessee, April 15, 1835, and is entirely self-educated. He is the fifth of seven children born to Lanson and Edith (Rogers) Clark, both natives of Tennessee. Lanson Clark was a colonel of militia in his state, and was a merchant, but on coming to Texas, in 1845, became a farmer, and died in 1850. Mrs. Edith Clark was a daughter of Matthew Rogers, who was born and died in Tennessee.
Lanson Clark m. Edith Rogers
Children:
Elizabeth Clark
Matilde Clark
?
?
Mathew Rogers Clark
Richard Calhoun Clark
Alvin Cullum Clark
Richard (Dick) Clark
Bessie Clark
Matthew R. Clark
CLARK, MATT
PIONEER SETTLER OF LEBANON COMMUNITY
Tribute To One Who Has Helped To Bring Collin County Up From the Wilderness.
Newspaper, June 1918.
Editors Examiner:
I met one of our oldest settlers a few days back, and have often thought of him and his experience here in early days. This man is Mat Clark, of Frisco, who came to Texas with his father, Lansing [sic] Clark, in 1845, and settled on White Rock creek west of Plano. The farm now is known as the Joe Huffman farm. Then there were but few settlers in this section. The family took boat at Nashville, Tenn., and landed at Shreveport, La. There they started out with teams. Other parties had fallen in with them. When they reached Sabine River there was no way of crossing except by raft. So the crowd made a raft and crossed over safely. They then came to where Dallas now is. They only found three log cabins at that place. They camped there. Being out of bread stuff they applied for meal which was all that was used in those days. Found none, but were granted the use of a hollowed log and a wooden pestle the settlers had prepared for themselves. Mat, being the oldest boy, took hold of the pestle and went to work mashing the shelled corn for bread. The family stopped at this point only over night and came on to the above mentioned place and built a log cabin. In a few years his father built a water mill to which people came thirty and forty miles to have their corn ground. Before building this mill there was a [missing]
days. No schools. Several years later there was a school house built about a mile north of where Plano now stands. it was a one-room log cabin. Mat attended school at this place. It was four or five years before there was any preaching in this section. When they did begin to have religious services, they just met around at the homes of the settlers. The Indians had begun to make raids, murdering people and carrying off stock. Volunteers went out at once to protect the families and their stock. Mt was one of those to join what we now call the Rangers. Here, as everywhere else, he did his part. When the Civil War broke out, Mat enlisted in Stone’s Regiment, Company K, 6th Texas Cavalry. This regiment did valuable service in Missouri, also in the army east of the Mississippi in what was called the Tennessee army. The latter part of the war he was captured and put in prison at Camp Morton where he, with 45 others, escaped one night, all scattering in different directions, wading water, sleeping in straw stacks, without food for many days. At the end of the war Matt returned to Collin county and went to work, in a few years he bought his present land lying south of Lebanon one mile, known as the old Graham place. After buying the land he married Miss Love E. Smith. To them three children were born as follows: Mrs. Will Clark, Claud Clark. Both growing up, married and now with their families live on their father’s fine farm. Maud, the youngest child, died at the age of 9 years. Matt and his wife now live in Frisco in a comfortable modern house where the good wife looks after the every want of the honored old soldier and citizen.
The above mentioned has a brother R. C. (Dick) Clark whom the writer has known contemporaneously with Uncle Matt. Dick lives near Bethany. There can be found none truer or better. We should scatter sunshine in the path of those noble old people at every opportunity. We owe it to them.
Lone Christie
Allen, June 3, 1918.
PIONEER SETTLER OF LEBANON COMMUNITY
Tribute To One Who Has Helped To Bring Collin County Up From the Wilderness.
Newspaper, June 1918.
Editors Examiner:
I met one of our oldest settlers a few days back, and have often thought of him and his experience here in early days. This man is Mat Clark, of Frisco, who came to Texas with his father, Lansing [sic] Clark, in 1845, and settled on White Rock creek west of Plano. The farm now is known as the Joe Huffman farm. Then there were but few settlers in this section. The family took boat at Nashville, Tenn., and landed at Shreveport, La. There they started out with teams. Other parties had fallen in with them. When they reached Sabine River there was no way of crossing except by raft. So the crowd made a raft and crossed over safely. They then came to where Dallas now is. They only found three log cabins at that place. They camped there. Being out of bread stuff they applied for meal which was all that was used in those days. Found none, but were granted the use of a hollowed log and a wooden pestle the settlers had prepared for themselves. Mat, being the oldest boy, took hold of the pestle and went to work mashing the shelled corn for bread. The family stopped at this point only over night and came on to the above mentioned place and built a log cabin. In a few years his father built a water mill to which people came thirty and forty miles to have their corn ground. Before building this mill there was a [missing]
days. No schools. Several years later there was a school house built about a mile north of where Plano now stands. it was a one-room log cabin. Mat attended school at this place. It was four or five years before there was any preaching in this section. When they did begin to have religious services, they just met around at the homes of the settlers. The Indians had begun to make raids, murdering people and carrying off stock. Volunteers went out at once to protect the families and their stock. Mt was one of those to join what we now call the Rangers. Here, as everywhere else, he did his part. When the Civil War broke out, Mat enlisted in Stone’s Regiment, Company K, 6th Texas Cavalry. This regiment did valuable service in Missouri, also in the army east of the Mississippi in what was called the Tennessee army. The latter part of the war he was captured and put in prison at Camp Morton where he, with 45 others, escaped one night, all scattering in different directions, wading water, sleeping in straw stacks, without food for many days. At the end of the war Matt returned to Collin county and went to work, in a few years he bought his present land lying south of Lebanon one mile, known as the old Graham place. After buying the land he married Miss Love E. Smith. To them three children were born as follows: Mrs. Will Clark, Claud Clark. Both growing up, married and now with their families live on their father’s fine farm. Maud, the youngest child, died at the age of 9 years. Matt and his wife now live in Frisco in a comfortable modern house where the good wife looks after the every want of the honored old soldier and citizen.
The above mentioned has a brother R. C. (Dick) Clark whom the writer has known contemporaneously with Uncle Matt. Dick lives near Bethany. There can be found none truer or better. We should scatter sunshine in the path of those noble old people at every opportunity. We owe it to them.
Lone Christie
Allen, June 3, 1918.
