J. M. CLARK, Livingston County, is a native of Lauderdale County, Ala., and was born February 18, 1831. His father, Richard Clark, was born September 15, 1806, in North Carolina, which State he left in his youth, immigrating to Alabama, where he resided until 1836, when he came to Kentucky, locating in Marshall County. He subsequently moved to Livingston County, settling near Smithland, where he engaged in farming and where he died about 1848. Mary (Brown) Clark, subject's mother, was born in North Carolina, December 24, 1805, and departed this life in 1848, one week after her husband's death. J. M. Clark is the third of a family of nine children born to the above. He was early in life thrown upon his own resources, commencing life for himself at the age of sixteen years, as a farmer in Livingston County. He purchased a tract of land near Smithland, and followed agricultural pursuits for ten years. Later he disposed of his farm and moved to the county seat, where for a number of years he followed draying and teaming, in which business he was very successful, accumulating a handsome competency. In 1880 he discontinued teaming to take charge of the Scyster House, of which house he has since been proprietor. The Scyster House, under Mr. Clark's successful management, has achieved a reputation among the traveling public, which is State wide, and it is pronounced by many to be the best hotel in western Kentucky. Mr. Clark is very popular among the citizens of his town, and his house is a favorite stopping place for all. February 4, 1855, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Emily Lucas, daughter of William H. and Merida Lucas, of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of two children, viz.: Mary, wife of E. T. Conant, and William F., deputy clerk of Livingston County.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 813-814.