SHORT HISTORY OF LIFE OF EZRA JAMES CLARK

Ezra James Clark was born in Iowa at or near Montrose on March 30, 1846. By the time he was 19, he was six feet tall and ready to fill a worthy mission out in the world. The awful Civil War had just closed so that President Brigham Young felt free to call “laborers into the vineyard”. The Clark Homestead had become well established with two substancial homes that provided ample room for the twenty-one children who were to occupy them. These were to number sixteen sons and five daughters. They were a happy family. Each child was taught to observe secret prayers every morning and evening. They were taught to “thank the Lord in all things” and to call upon Him, the Giver of all good, for His blessings. The Mothers loved each other most dearly. A faithful tithe was paid on every item of income that blessed the Clark household.

Ezra James was a thrifty missionary. He was a pal to such men as Orson Pratt and Franklin D. Richards. The migrating Saints trusted him fully. He left England with 600 faithful Saints under his immediate care. Working extra hard to unload their ship, and in extreme July weather, all hands became worn out. As their train neared Albany and in this great heat, it was natural for some who had extra means, to look for refreshements. Some of the stations had a supply of ice cream. This would afford some relief from the suffering. As the dishes of ice cream were distributed Ezra James partook freely. The shock brought about his sudden death. Imagine how the Saints felt with their Leader taken in death. But the train must move on. So the Rail Road buried the body near by. Next year in 1869, on May 10th, the Rail Road reached Utah at Promontory Point, the meeting of the rails, the Union Pacific Railroad and the Central Pacific Railroad, and Grandfather left to recover the body of his inspiring son. Some people think that Uncle Edward Stevenson went with him. Uncovering the designated grave, Grandfather asked that the casket be opened. He wanted to make sure he had the right body. He said he could tell by the teeth that he did have his lovely son’s remains. On to Farmington, the rough box was stored in the barn until the funeral. President Brigham Young came and spoke at the funeral. Among many other encouraging remarks, he said “Elder Ezra James Clark is preaching the Gospel in the Spirit World and is doing a good work”. The Clark Family was reconciled.

O my dear [family] members, shall we each and all be worthy to meet and mingle with those who have gone on to prepare the way? To even sign this letter is a sacred matter to me.

(signed) Sincerely, Heber D. Clark

(this is from a letter he wrote from Bountiful, Utah, February 21, 1978, for the Family Newsletter)