John Bullock Clark Jr. was born on January 14, 1831, in Fayette, Missouri, to John and Eleanor Clark. His father was a Democratic politician who represented Missouri in the United States and Confederate Congresses. He grew up and attended school in Fayette before enrolling at the University of Missouri. He spent two years in California, and he graduated from Harvard University in 1854.

 

He returned to Fayette and earned a living as a lawyer. He married Mary Buckner on January 13, 1855, and they had at least six children: Ann, born around 1858; Elias, born around 1859; Augusta, born around 1861; Kate, born around 1867; Mariana, born around 1869; and Ada, born around 1871. By 1860, he owned $3,500 of real estate and $5,000 of personal property.

 

He supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. In 1861, he received a commission as a lieutenant in the Missouri State Guard. The following year, he received a commission as captain of Company G of the 6^th Missouri Infantry. The regiment took part in the Vicksburg campaign. He eventually earned a promotion to colonel and then to brigadier general.

 

He returned to Fayette after the war and resumed his work as a lawyer. He supported the Democratic Party, and he served in Congress from 1873 until 1883. He served as chairman of the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. He remained in D.C., and he served as Clerk of the House of Representatives from 1883 until 1889. He subsequently retired from politics and resumed his legal practice. He died in D.C. on September 7, 1903.

 

Image: John B. Clark Jr. (courtesy Wikicommons)

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