From "Biographical Memoirs of Wells County Indiana," 1903, pp. 559-560.
ROBERT CLARK
The present competent postmaster of Zanesville, Wells county, Indiana, Robert Clark, is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (McGoogan) Clark, and was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, February 13, 1839. Daniel Clark was a native of New Brunswick and early came to the United States, locating in Ohio where he was subsequently married. From Ohio Daniel and Elizabeth Clark removed to Allen county, Indiana, in 1848, but later settled north of Zanesville, Allen county, in the same year purchased a farm and there passed the remainder of life. He was a gentleman of fine education, was an eloquent speaker and was favorably known as an advocate of Republican principles throught Allen and Wells counties, having united with the Republicans on the disintegration of the old Whig party, of which he had previously been a member. Mr. Clark was a most public spirited citizen and a strong friend of the common schools. His death took place in the faith of the Baptist church in which he had long been a deacon. The children born to Daniel and Elizabeth Clark were six in number and in order of birth were named as follows: Charles, Sarah J., William, Robert, Benjamin and Sophia, of whom three are still living.
Robert Clark was a lad of about ten years of age when brought to Indiana by his parents. He was early inured to hard labor and passed his boyhood days in assisting his father in clearing up the Indiana farms. He secured a very good common school education, became a teacher in the public schools, later learned the carpenter's trade, but was engaged in farming when the tremendous civil strife broke out between the North and the South. Robert Clark was a patriotic youth and a lover of freedom, and at once offered his services in defense of his country's flag by enlisting, in August, 1862, in Company G (Capt. Truesdale), One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Milton, Tennessee, March 20, 1863, Mr. Clark was badly wounded and incapacitated from further active service. After recuperating sufficiently, he was honorably discharged from the army and returned to his home.
In September, 1864, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Diffendorfer, who was born in Pennsylvania and came to Wells county, Indiana, in 1861 with her parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Silvers) Diffendorfer. TO the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born nine children, in the following order: Lizzie died in childhood; James C.; Minnie W., wife of Heber Wagner of Columbia City, Indiana; Theodore, who married Mary Shepler, is a barber at Fort Wayne, Indiana; William H., who married Myrtle Fults, also resides in Fort Wayne; Charles married Clara Cline and lives in Zanesville; Markley married Effie Flack and also resides in Zanesville; Chase and Alma. The family attend the church of God, in which Mr. Clark is an elder, and fraternally he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Roanoke, Indiana. In politics he is a substantial Republican and in January, 1898, was appointed postmaster of Zanesville, under the administration of President McKinley, although he had filled the same office under President Benjamin Harrison. In conjunction with conducting the affairs of his official position, Mr. Clarke (sic) carries on the harness business, and is regarded not only as an obliging and affable official, but as an upright business man and is highly esteemed for his many fine personal qualities.