Charles Rich Clark was born April 1st, 1861, in Farmington, Davis County, Utah. He was the 8th child in a family of 11 born to Ezra Thompson Clark and Mary Stevenson. The parents were married in May 1845 at the Clark settlement in Lee County, Iowa, and moved about as the church members moved in their effort to avoid persecution by their enemies. As they moved westward, Brigham Young asked Ezra to remain and raise grain and farm produce needed for the Saints coming through on their trek westward. The next year, Ezra, Mary and their two sons migrated westward, arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in September 1848. After spending the first months in the Bountiful area, they moved to the Farmington area, then called Cottonwood Creek. Ezra was given 35 acres of land, on which he started a successful farm and ranch operation. As his family grew, so did his land holding and business interests.
He built a 2-story adobe home at 368 West State, then called Clark Lane, in 1857 before leaving for a two-year mission to England. While there he became acquainted with a Leggett family among others, who were encouraged to migrate to America. In 1861, he noted Susan Leggett's name on a ship passenger list and proposed that she become his second wife. Charles was the youngest of Mary's boys at the time Susan's family began.
As each "Thousand Dollar" boy arrived, he would take his place in the family and help with the farm and ranch operations. In time there were more boys in Mary's family and ten children in Susan's family. The families lived across the street from each other, and a close and friendly relationship grew up between the mothers and the children of each family. The boys, including Charles, learned to ride well, help take care of the stock, guide the walking plow, and irrigate the crops. Most of the family members lived under a family cooperative similar to the United Order. Pooling their efforts they in time acquired 700 acres in the Farmington area, a mill and acreage in Morgan County, acreages in Franklin County, and about 1200 acres in Georgetown, Bear Lake, County, Idaho.
The Georgetown venture came as a result of a call by Brigham Young to Ezra and some 200 others to settle Bear Lake County. He and his son Joseph helped lay out and settle Georgetown. They were active there in the 1870s and 1880s. Cattle herds from Farmington trailed northward in the spring and returned in the fall. Beef and cheese were welcomed by families now living in Farmington and Morgan. The older families were assigned to various homesteads and farming areas. Charles relates that he enjoyed his first cattle drive northward when he was thirteen years old.
Charles was a good student in school and progressed well, considering the interruptions made necessary by the farming operations. His special interests seemed to be history, mathematics, religion and elocution. As he grew up he took part in church and school programs. Singing groups attracted him, and he often recited "pieces" he had memorized.
In his diary of 1887 Charles mentions, "Attended J. E. Robinson's school during the winter, also Kennard's in the spring, and J.H. Wilcox's in Workman House. In 1879 ... attended school in the East Adobe."
An entry of August 18th, notes that he is now attending the University of Deseret. He continued there during the winter and obtained two certificates. The next year he took a mathematics course at the University. On November 2nd, 1881, he began teaching in Centerville.
The day before he started teaching he was introduced to Mary Emma Woolley, a daughter of John W. Woolley. Mr. Woolley was one of the trustees of the school. Charles had agreed to board with families as a part of his pay. He received $4.00 a month, plus board.
During the winter of 1882, Charles and his sister Annie were able to attend the B.Y. Academy in Provo. Brother Karl G. Maeser and Joseph M. Tanner, among other, were a great influence in their lives. Brother Maeser suggested that he remain there, continue his study, and become a teacher at the institution. Charles notes in his diary of March 23, 1883: "Discontinued, as I was needed at home."
After talking with his father, he decided to return to the farm to develop his abilities along the lines of farming, ranching, or milling. That spring he courted and won the hand of Emma Woolley. They were married in the Endowment House on June 28, 1883. They started for Georgetown July 23rd, arriving there the 27th, and moved into the Clark home. They took over the duties of Joseph, who had been called on a mission in 1882. Their first child, Marion, was born there April 4th, 1884.
After Joseph's return from his mission, Charles, Emma and Marion moved to Morgan, where he operated the farm and grain mill that the Cooperative soon acquired. Water was stored in a pond near the river and produced most of the power needed for the mill. At times a steam engine was used. The Clark families as well as nearby farm families used the mill to produce flour and stock feed.
According to the teaching of church leaders and because of the successful example of his father's marriages, Charles considered and accepted in his own mind the principle of Celestial Marriage as pertaining to plural wives. With the approval of Emma and the encouragement of church leadership, he made himself acquainted with Ann Elizabeth Waldron, a young woman living in Morgan. He had first talked with Brother Waldron about the proposal and then made his wishes known to Annie. It was a serious but not an unexpected step. After a short and secretive courtship, they were sealed, November 24th, 1886, in the Logan Temple. To Charles, Emma and Annie it was the supreme application of their religion. Sometimes there were misgivings as to their relationships and responsibilities, but their belief in the principle was uppermost in their lives.
In the fall of that same year, Charles taught the upper grades and his sister Annie taught the lower grades in Centerville. He had previously taught school in Morgan in 1885 when the students paid him $3.00 each for their instruction. Charles noted in his diary of 1887: "This is the first time since I was a child that I have been out of the schoolroom either as a student or teacher." Even as late as January 1, 1891, he noted in his diary: "Now comes another year. Will I do better in this year than in the 5 2/3 years I have spent in Morgan? If I would listen to those who are interested in me, I would not continue as I have. They would rather see me teach school. Thomas Harding asked me today if I am going to school anymore. I did not answer him, but I would have taken pride in saying, "I AM". I told Emma yesterday that if the Lord is willing I am going East to school. This concern has revolved in my mind today ..." The diary for January 2: "I seek to find my future mission. Should it be to some Eastern College, Germany on a mission -- China, Japan, Salt Lake Academy or the Roller Mill?"
After Annie's marriage, it was kept a secret in Morgan. As the time approached for her first child to be born, she moved to Farmington and lived with the Ezra T. Clark family. Wallace was born there, and because of the disapproval of polygamy by the civil authorities, Annie and her young son lived in secrecy. Lawrence and Gladys were born in Farmington. May 2, 1892: Mother Annie and her three children moved back to Morgan.
Charles received a mission call to the Southern States and left October 20, 1891. He was successful in bringing many into the Church and revived activity in branches in need of help and counsel. Vernon relates that in 1960 on his mission he met some of the Saints in Virginia who remembered Charles’ earlier missions in 1892 and in 1916. They especially remembered the dramatic presentations he gave as a part of some special programs.
To help finances, Emma, taking Marion as a driver of the horse and buggy, would go out selling books. Annie notes that she often took care of Emma's children as well as her own on such occasions. In October, 1893, Emma took Marion to Chicago where they met Charles and for about two weeks enjoyed the World's Fair in progress.
Annie notes in her diary of September 18, 1894, that an interesting camping trip to Bear Lake was made. On the trip were Charles, Emma, Annie, Marion, Vernon, Marvin, Wallace, Lawrence and Gladys. " ... stayed up late baking and getting ready ... Marion came over at 4:00am with the horses and buggy, and we left at 6:00am, driving to Ogden the first day. Camped in the canyon on the 19th and then drove to Cache Valley. My luggage was lost, so Marion went back to Deweyville and found it. Charlie canvassed for books but didn't sell any. We drove on to Richmond, camped there, and observed the next day by going to Church. We went on to Franklin the next day, and the 24th Charlie and Emma canvassed for books. The next day we drove through Mill Creek and camped in Immigration Canyon, making a dry camp. The next day we went down into Liberty and on to Georgetown."
"On September 26th, we drove to Star Valley (Wyoming) to see Hyrum and family. Saw Wilford in Montpelier. After starting back, Vernon, while trying to draw water from an old well, drew the curb over to him, breaking his leg. His Ma and Pa set it (using old boards and clay from the hillside) and then administered to him that it might be set right. On October 2, we drove to the Half-Way House where some hunter gave us some elk meat. On October 3, we visited Aunt Mary Rich (Phelps) (Apostle C. C. Rich's plural wife) in Paris. Stayed the night and then drove to Fish Haven. On October 5th, we drove to Meadowville, Huntsville and home (Morgan)."
Charles taught school the winter of 1894 -- 1895. And in September, 1895, he was appointed as a Delegate to the Fourth National Irrigation Congress in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Enroute there he met other appointees, including such Delegates as T.E. Ricks, George Q. Cannon, Edward Partridge, C. L. Stevenson, and John H. Smith. Reports of irrigation practices from Canada to Mexico were given and suggestions made. With the others, they traveled through Arizona, where they met some colonizers such as Jesse N. Smith and John W. Young.
After his return, Charles, besides milling and farming, acted as Secretary of the Precinct Committee of the Republican Party and was elected councilman of Morgan. He was active as President of the YMMIA. On July 25, 1888, he was dis-enfranchised because of polygamy. At that time he could have been appointed county surveyor except for the dis-enfranchisement. He again voted and was not challenged No. 3rd, 1895. An interesting diary note for Dec. 18 and 19 said, "Attended drill inspection under Major Stevens and received clothing, gun and other army equipment. Reference was made about the Venezuelan dispute."
In Sacrament Meeting April 12, 1896, Charles was called upon to read the manifesto signed by the First Presidency, ten of the Quorum of the Apostles, the Patriarch, and First seven Presidents of the Seventy.
In 1901, Father Ezra T. Clark took 17 pieces of paper, and on each paper described some "best" property along with some "2nd best" land. The "best" property was the Farmington and Morgan property. The "2nd best" property included lands further away, such as in Georgetown. Included also were certain stock cattle, horses, interest in a mercantile store, and Davis County Bank shares. There were also some cash and personal items. A balance was made so that each paper had a nearly equal value. As each son of daughter drew their lot, great joy was manifested.
Charles' prime property awarded was in Morgan, and the Georgetown division was next best. It also included some cattle and horses. He elected to go with Emma to Georgetown to live, and Annie and family would stay in Morgan.
On Newell's 5th birthday, April 25, 1901, they arrived in Georgetown and lived in a log house near the creek. Here Julia was born July 22, 1902. Emma with frugality and foresight arranged for the purchase of the George A. Smith home, where they lived until after Emma's death.
Charles, Emma, Marion, Vernon, Marvin, Newell, Marie and Julia all helped in the farm operation, which was generally located form the north Lane to Woolley's Spur on the south, east to the Georgetown townsite, and west to Bear River, including the hill on the west side of the river. They also had a few choice acres called the 'Twenty" east of town and a smaller "Garden Spot" nearer the mouth of the canyon.
Marion built a Mercantile Store in 1907 and left the farm. Vernon left in the twenties to teach school. Newell was drowned in Bear River the 16th of September 1932. Marvin remained on the farm, while Marie and Julia married and moved away.
Charles liked to teach Religion Classes at Georgetown and helped get the program going. He was called to be the First Counselor to Bishop Alma Hayes on June the 10th, 1906. He also kept the tithing records for a time. Many times the ills and needs of families in the Ward took precedence over the needs on the farm.
Vernon recounts that, "Several families, widows and poor depended on the flour, potatoes and milk from the farm. Some families came daily for milk and vegetables form the milk house and cellar. Mother sometimes complained that he took better care of the poor than of his own family. He often plowed or weeded for the needy and then worked late that night to catch up on his own chores."
Charles worked hard as an example to his boys and then expected them to carry out much of the work. Even though he spent most of the time in Georgetown, he often went to "Conference" and helped the Morgan family as long as his train ticket lasted.
His grandchildren remember him as being the one to clear the snow from the walk-ways early in the morning after a snowfall. He would fill a tub with some coal and then pull it with a horse or put rope over his own shoulders and clear the way so that children for blocks around could get to school easily.
He encouraged us to go to Sunday School and would spend considerable time helping us memorize the concert recitation. "Teeter-Totters" and swings were devised for our use. At milking time he often took a cup along to be filled with fresh, warm milk form the cow so we could enjoy milk at its best. If we did wrong or failed to accomplish a task that was ours, we could expect a rather extended "talking to".
His garden near the home was large and well kept. Many people other than his own family profited from its produce. The "Garden Spot" up the lane was a favorite spot with all of us. From it came excellent raspberries, apples, currants and strawberries. He encouraged all of us to attend school and prepare our lessons well. He especially was interested in the development of Fielding Academy located at Paris, Idaho. He often went out to solicit even though they had to leave Georgetown to do so.
Charles had several narrow escapes from death in his lifetime. On one of his camping trips through Yellowstone Park with his family, he fell into the backwash below some river falls. He managed to catch hold of a large rock and made it to the bank. Another time while cutting ice of Bear River, he slipped into the water, and as the current carried him downstream, he caught hold of the ice at the lower part of the hole. Another time he fell in, went under the ice, but luckily came up a few yards downstream where there happened to be an opening in the ice cover.
One of the frequent jobs he performed about the ranch was sharpening or repairing iron and steel parts at the forge. He would shape a horseshoe and then nail it on a horse's hoof. He had a special room where he repaired harness for future use.
He was an excellent walker. Walking or "hitching" a ride helped him on his frequent trips. One common trip was over the mountain between Farmington and Morgan. He knew the trail and could make the trip almost as fast as a horse-drawn vehicle over the Weber Canyon route.
After Emma's death November 19th, 1928, from an attack of typhoid fever and dropsy, Charles lived in either Morgan or Salt Lake City. He stayed with Vernon about 2 years and did a considerable amount of endowment work in the Temple. After a bronchial and lung infection, he moved in with Julia. He died October 6, 1933, and was buried alongside of Emma in the Farmington cemetery.
~Written by Ellsworth M. Clark, Family Representative and eldest of the grandchildren of Charles R. Clark. Information taken from the diaries of Charles R. Clark and Annie Waldron Clark and from incidents related by some of the children and grandchildren.