Biography of Ferdinand Clark
Ferdinand Klerke (Clark) was born 23 January 1859 in Aarhus, Denmark to Otto Carl Klerke (Clark) and Abigail Larsen. He had 2 brothers and 1 sister, Otto, Waldemar & Marie. In 1859, at 14 years old, Ferdinand and his mother came to America along with other converts to the Mormon church. When they arrived in America they changed the spelling of their name to Clark instead of the Danish spelling of Klerke. Ferdinand and his mother Abigail settled in Brigham City, Utah then moved to Mt. Pleasant, Utah in 1879, where Ferdinand worked to support them. Because of his skill in painting there was a strong demand for his services. He earned enough money to not only support his mother, but saved enough for his brother Waldemar to come later.
Ferdinand was sociable among both young and old. He was loved by everyone because of his kindness, consideration and respect to all. He had a splendid, clear strong voice and everyone enjoyed hearing him sing. One night at a MIA meeting (Young Men / Young Women’s activity) he met Hannah Christensen. Her black shiny hair and sparkling blue eyes caught his attention immediately. After a short courtship they were married 1 October 1879 by William Seely at her mothers home in Mt. Pleasant. On 27 May 1880 they were sealed in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. She was a sweet young bride of 17 and he was 21 and a man of stability.
Theirs was a very happy union and they were blessed with six boys and six girls making a total of 12 children. All were born in their home without the help of a doctor. Three of their children died as small children, but the rest lived and became very helpful to them and successful in life.
Their first home was a one-room adobe house and their furniture was all homemade. Hannah’s father gave them a cow and 12 chickens for a wedding gift, and with a garden and fruit trees they lived comfortably.
Ferdinand had learned the trade of painting as a young boy. He was an excellent interior painter. He knew how to mix paint colors so that they would harmonize with the wallpaper and furnishings. Because he was so careful and neat and knew just how to mix the right colors he was in demand in all the surrounding towns as well. His wage was $2.00 for 9 hours of work. He started as a clerk in the Consolidated Furniture Store in Mt. Pleasant and finally became the manager. In 1892 he and his brother-in-law, Chris Johansen started a furniture store called Clark-Johansen and Company. In 1895 the name was changed to Clark Furniture & Hardware, and his brother-in-law, Chris, opened up a harness store next door. Ferdinand was now the manager, clerk, and bookkeeper of his own business. This made it possible to give his children experience in working with him. He carried a good stock of about $3,000 and was successful in selling wall paper, carpet, paints, glass, oils and toys, as well as a beautiful selection of the latest furniture.
Ferdinand was called to serve a mission to the Northern States and served in Minnesota in 1883 leaving his wife and children to managed things at home. In those days the missionaries went without purse or script and they had to rely on the people for food and lodging. Many times night would come with no place to stay. Hungry and weary, Ferdinand’s companion would say; “Brother Clark, this is the last home! Sing and I’m sure they will let us stay and give us some food!” Ferdinand would stand on the doorstep and sing in his beautiful, clear voice and the people would be so impressed they would ask them in for the night and give them something to eat. Ferdinand’s health began to fail while on his mission, so he came home after one year.
The children helped in the store doing whatever they were old enough to do. Although he was not strong, he worked at his trade. In a spirit of cooperation, he was lenient in extending credit to his customers. He found fulfillment in helping people realize their dreams of comfortable and charming homes. His originality was evident in the yearly calendars he presented to his customers. They have beautifully painted plates featuring the months and days of the year. His varied selection of hardware, furnishings, and toys resulted in an excellent shopping center year ‘round.
Often, as customers approached the front door, the sound of his beautiful singing voice enticed them to enter and browse. His warm manner and friendly welcome endeared him to all of his customers. He seemed to be a natural at public relations. The furniture he sold was the best quality and style of the day. In fact the store served as a gathering place for friends and neighbors who eagerly entered to see his latest merchandise. Ferdinand built his wife and children a beautiful new home as soon as he could afford it and kept it painted neatly inside and out. The artistic wooden fence on the corner lot of 4th South and 2nd West was painted to match the house. Many social gatherings were held in the parlor and everyone was always welcome.
Ferdinand loved to sing and was always willing to share this talent. He never missed a choir practice. He was invited to sing for almost every occasion in Mt. Pleasant and surrounding towns. His daughter Rosina played the piano for him and since she had a beautiful soprano voice they would often sing duets. They always travel by horse and buggy to the different towns. Sometimes it would be storming, but they would go anyway. His children loved to hear him sing “Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep”. He didn’t like to dance, but loved to go to the theater and always had reserved seats and was the first one there for the performances. Ferdinand love the gospel of Jesus Christ and he practiced what he preached. He helped the poor and the widows and was good to everyone he met. Besides taking good care of his family and business, he held many church responsibilities and also served in the community as well. He was the cities Justice of the Peace, a City Councilman, a Superintendent of the Sunday School, President of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association (Young Men’s President), President of the 66th Quorum of '70s and President of the ward choir.
His love for children was evident in the training of his own little ones. As soon as they were old enough, they were put to work in the store. The older boys would help with delivering and installing furniture as well as the general upkeep. The older girls waited on customers and helped with the bookkeeping, and even the little ones were put to work dusting and sweeping the floors. Ferdinand loved taking his little children for long walks and sometimes on the train to Salt Lake City when he went shopping for merchandise. He would always have a treat for them when he came home. In a letter to his son Otto in 1908 Ferdinand wrote: “Mom is not very strong, but our new little baby, Reed, is just fine and only cries when he is hungry. We are indeed lucky to have him. Sina is a big help and little Ruth is my baby now and content to sleep with me. Christy is hard for me to lift now she is getting so big. It’s hard for me to find help in the store.” Ferdinand was only 51 years old when he died on 17 April 1910 of heart failure leaving his wife with a 2 year old baby and several other children at home to raise.
His wife said of him: “It was very hard to lose him when there was still so much to do, but he was well prepared to meet his Savior.” Mads Anderson gave him a Patriarchal blessing shortly before he died and promised him that his family would remember his good counsel because he had been an example to them of prayer and had taught them in truth and righteousness all their lives. His dear wife and children carried on as best they could. The family was able to manage by selling the store and collecting debts owed by customers. All of his children inherited his musical ability and became successful in their labors from the teachings and example he has set for them. Ferdinand died in Mt. Pleasant, Utah and is buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery The Clark Furniture Store Posted 24 Apr 2011 by floraclark1980 The Clark Furniture Store The Clark furniture store located at 87 South State Street in Mt. Pleasant, Utah ended it’s years of useful service when it was torn down in 1977 to make a parking lot for the Terrell Seely grocery store. It had been used for many different purposes since its first owner died in 1910. It opened its doors in 1892 as the Clark- Johansen Company. Later to become the Clark Furniture Store. The store was a two-story frame building with a window on each side of the front door and two windows on the top story facing the East. Printed in large letters above the upstairs windows were the words: glass, paint, oils, wallpaper, carpets, toys, etc. The toys Mr Clark selected to carry for children delighted them and his great selection of hardware made for very convenient shopping.
The furniture and household items he sold were of the best quality and style of the day. Tall wooden bookcases with a slanted desktop and a drawer under it for storing pencils and paper. Beautiful tables with carved legs standing on glass marble balls. Velvet-covered platform rockers slid back and forth. Tall wooden mahogany headboards and beds, huge wardrobe closets and dresser drawers that all matched. Black upright pianos with round whirling stools. Oak dining room sets that could be extended to serve a large family gathering with chairs to match that had delicately carved backs and legs and mesh seats that could be replaced if necessary. Floor and table lamps in varied colors, shapes and sizes came with fringes and beads. Black majestic kitchen stoves decorated with chrome, complete with reservoirs for heating water, and a warming oven that was mounted to the back of the stove above the cooking area. Chrome-plated heatrolas used for heating different rooms in the house were just a few of the pieces he carried in his store. His selection of carpets was very tasteful and elegant as was the lovely embossed wallpaper and paint that he mixed to match. Sources: History Book of Mt. Pleasant, Utah Family history and group sheets of Ruth Reynolds and Myrtle Bagley Records of Alice Peel Hafen Stories by my grandmother Hannah Clark 1900 United States Federal Census floraclark1980 originally shared this on 24 Apr 2011
The Biography of Hannah Christensen Clark By Christie Clark Robertson & Myrtle Clark Bagley Hannah Christensen Clark, daughter of James and Christina Madson Christensen, was born April 27, 1862 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah Hannah’s parents, being faithful Latter-day Saints, came to Mt. Pleasant as some of the first pioneer settlers. Her father who was born in Juland in Denmark, June 23, 1835, crossed the plains in 1857. He first located in Ephraim, than came to Mt. Pleasant in 1859. Her mother was born in Denmark on January 27, 1843, crossed the plains in 1856 with the Willie Handcart Company arriving in Salt Lake City on November 9th 1856. She located in Ephraim and later came to Mt. Pleasant in 1859. She married James Christensen that same year. They were the parents of seven children, five girls and two boys. Two of their girls died in infancy. Hannah’s home was a crude log cabin with a dirt roof and very little furniture. However this was “home sweet home” to those faith-devoting Latter-day Saints who came to this country from their native land in order to worship the true and living God and to be among the people in Zion. As the Oldest child in a large family she shouldered many of the responsibilities of an older person. She was not a very large child, nor was she very strong, yet she was always active and well. She loved to assist her parents in whatever work she could do and helped her father in the fields as well as the housework at home. She would often go into the field and remain all night with her father while he irrigated their acres of land. At the age of four years old she was miraculously saved when one day she was riding with her father to the field. The team of horses became frightened at a roller which her father had tied to the back of the wagon. The horses dashed southward with the wagon box containing the child bounced and bumped over huge rocks and boulders. At length the box containing the child fell to the ground. The little girl crept from the box And found shelter and safety under a fence where she was later found by her father and others who had witnessed the runaway. They thought that surely she had been killed and were grateful to find her badly shaken but alive! They took her home where her poor frightened mother wept for joy at seeing her child yet alive. She carefully examined her little girl and found that she was none the worse for this experience except for a few light bruises. However, one of the horses was killed in this mishap. Hannah remembered distinctly another incident in her young life when at the age of five years old in the fall of 1867 she was frightened by the Indians who were at that time threatening the people. The drums were beating, warning the people to be on guard. Her father was called out as a minute-man to help protect the people, their livestock and their property. That night her mother was nervous and worried over her husband being out in the front ranks. She drew the cupboard, table and chairs up against the door to prevent any “red skin” from entering their home. However, the Lord blessed and protected them and her father returned home to them in safety. At the age of seven Hannah attended school in the Second Ward school house. The building consisted of one long room with an open fireplace at each end and benches for seats in between. The building also served as a meeting place where on every Thursday of the month more church meetings were held and babies blessed. Hannah’s first teacher was Bhristena Bertelson whom she thought a great deal of and who also pierced Hannah’s ears for ear rings when she was but eight years old. She also had her first picture taken at that age with her new ear rings (the picture was taken in Anthon Lund’s Art Studio, and the old long cabin which is still among the pioneer buildings in Mt. Pleasant. Hannah’s schooling was indeed limited due to others in the family who also had to attend at different periods. They had to buy their own books, which were few, and also pay a tuition of three dollars a quarter. Hannah and her sister, Annie, managed to go every other week and took advantage of the opportunities they had. Joseph Page was another of her teachers, who although he was crippled, was very stern and strict with his pupils, many times whipping them with birch rod for any misdemeanor or prank which was played. Some few years later, another school house was built. This building accommodated more students and was more modern in every way. Here Hannah attended school again for a short period. Her teachers were Ezria Day and Hilda Darlene. This was the extent of her education and a happy school life but she was thankful for having had that much schooling. During the summer months Hannah was a work- either at home or in the fields or remaining all day in the heat south of town herding cows- many times coming home with her feet sore and bleeding from where the prickly pears and sharp rocks had stuck and bruised her feet. As she grew older and took upon herself greater responsibilities she became very competent and trustful. Her mother would give her and hour or so each day in which she might play. Oh, but how she would play and make use of every minute of her “free” time. She and her younger sister, Annie, would climb the latter from the outside of the house and crawl into the attic where they would play with their rag dolls. In order not be bothered the girls would draw the ladder up after they had climbed into the attic. Hannah not only worked at home but she hired out for other people. This too, helped her parents as she could buy cloth for her dresses which were all homemade. At one time Hannah worked for C.N. Lund where she did all kinds of work as well as doing their chores. She also worked in Chester for her Uncle Andrew Madsen where after three weeks of hard labor she was able to buy a pair of shoes. Fifty cents a week was her earnings. How thrilled she was for a pair of new shoes, even though they had copper toes. Each Saturday night she would polish them with soot from the stove lids which she mixed with water. This served as her shoe polish and her shoes would be shining for Sunday mornings when she would go to her Sunday School classes. Hannah was now in her teens and blooming into womanhood. She was indeed an attractive young lady! With her shining black hair, and sparkling blue eyes, she was popular among both her girl and boy friends. She always had a partner for every occasion and, Oh, what jolly good time they would have. She loved to dance and their dances would be held in different homes until a hall was built for their recreation. She was a lover of nature and enjoyed being in the great outdoors. She with her crowd would go into the east hills where they would pick berries and fill their baskets, they would decorate the wagon with branches and wild flowers- and how they would sing! She had a clear, sweet voice and love to sing. In the winter time, how the sleigh bells would ring and ho, the joy of those sleigh rides over the snow. Of all her boy friends and admirers there was one who sought her heart and had and asked for her in marriage. This young man was Ferdinand Clark – who at the age of fourteen had left his native land in Denmark and had crossed the ocean in company with his mother and many others that they might worship in Zion. They had settled in Mt. Pleasant and he, just a young boy, had supported his other and grown up with the boys his age. He was sociable among both young and old and loved by everyone for his kind consideration and respect for everyone. He has a splendid, clear, strong voice and everyone enjoyed his singing. October 1, 1879, at the age of seventeen, Hannah became the bride of Ferdinand Clark who was now twenty-one years old. They were married by Bishop William Seeley at her mother’s home. In 1880 they were re-married in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, as the temple was not built at the time. Theirs was a happy marriage. Their first home was a one-room adobe house located in the extreme southwest part of town. At night the coyotes could be heard howling close by and the young bride would often be alone as her husband was always to be found at his priesthood and other ward meetings. Their furniture was all homemade. The wooden bed with ropes tied across the sides for springs and the straw-tick or mattress served as their comfortable bed. A crude table, two chairs and a few boxes served their purpose as did a large box which was her cedar chest and the place where all her valuable household articles were kept. A flour box with a cupboard on the top of it stood in one corner of the room. Hannah’s father gave them a cow and twelve chickens and so with their garden they lived comfortably, even under such humble circumstances. Her husband worked as a painter and always managed to have work. His wage was that of two dollars for nine hours work. As the months went on they were able to buy a few pieces of furniture and furnish their home somewhat better. They appreciated everything they were able to get for themselves. The following year on October 24th 1880 they were blessed with a darling baby girl. How happy they were for this treasure. However, the same day, Hannah’s dear father was buried and she was unable to attend his funeral services. He didn’t live long enough to see his first grandchild. This was a sad experience too for this young mother. They named their little girl Rosina and she grew up and was indeed a joy and comfort to them. The following year Ferdinand was sustained as Superintendent of the Sunday School, in June 1881. Before this time he was the President of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association (Young Men’s) Hannah also attended to her religious duties, besides caring for her family. She did all her own work and helped her dear widowed mother who was in poor health at the time. On January 18th 1882 another baby girl was born to them. They named her Hannah Christine after Hannah’s mother and grandmother. This tiny baby girl passed away only a month later in spite of all that could be done for her. This was indeed hard for Hannah to bear! Their oldest child now two and a half was again their baby. On February 17th 1883 their first boy came to bless their home. He was named Otto Ferdinand and grew to be a bright and happy baby. That same year Ferdinand was called on a mission to the Northern States. He responded to the call and left his wife and two children at home to fend for themselves. However, before their baby boy was born they had moved nearer into town and were now living in a large log cabin with a shanty lean-to which served as a kitchen. They had a half lot, a cow, some chickens and a pig as well as a good garden. In 1883, Ferdinand left for the mission field and labored in that capacity with Elder Mads Anderson as his companion for one year, when his health began to fail and he was forced to return home before his mission was fully completed. Elder Anderson testified to the good work he had accomplished the year he was with him and how Elder Clark’s singing had won them many a bed and a place while laboring together in the mission field. Ferdinand returned home in 1884 and although he was not strong he worked at his trade. On December 30, 1885, their second son was born. He was named Daniel Waldemar after his uncle who also came to Zion from his native land, and who settled in Fairview, Utah. As this babe grew older he was a companion to his brother. May 12, 1889, four years later, a darling baby girl blessed their home. She was named Hazel. At the age of two years three months she contracted scarlet fever and passed away on July 4, 1891. Ferdinand and Hannah had built a new home it was a large frame house and when finished consisted of seven rooms and a basement. They worked hard together for its completion. It would be a place that their children could be proud of and where they might entertain their friends. Many cottage meetings were held there as well as many social gatherings. Their work in the church was increasing and their children were taught the principles of the Gospel. Ferdinand was sustained as the President of the Sixty-sixth Quorum of Seventies on the 11th of May 1890. On August 20, 1891 a beautiful baby boy was born to them. He was blessed and named Heber Chase. He brought joy and happiness to his parents and the older children as well. At the age of fourteen months he was suddenly stricken from unknown causes and passed away. A darling baby girl again blessed their home on March 22, 1894. She was indeed welcome and loved dearly. They named her Myrtle. Another son, who was named Alonzo was born on February 17th 1896. He grew to manhood and served overseas in the great First World War and was remarkable in his field of labor. October 25, 1898 another son was born who they named Arthur. A tenth child, a baby girl, was born June 11, 1901. She was blessed and given the name of Christie Arvilla. Four years later on June 12th 1905 another baby girl blessed their home. She was given the name of Ruth Louise. Their twelfth child, a son, was born February 22nd 1908. He was given the name of Reed Quinten. He was indeed a joy and a comfort to his mother. At the time of his birth she was forty-six years old. Two years later a great sorrow came to their happy family when on April 17th, 1910 their beloved husband and father passed away. This was a hard situation for his dear devoted wife being left alone with six children to care for. The three oldest ones were married and had homes of their own by now. Now the task of raising and supporting these six children was left to her alone, but though the faith and prayer and humility she did the tremendous job well. Her great desire now was to see that each child was given and education and brought up in the church to be of service to mankind. This she was also successful in doing. Each one of her children married good Latter-day Saints and have honorable families. With the children all married this angel mother was alone. The big, old house was still, but all the memories of happy and sad occasions were lingering everywhere. She prayed night and morning for her children’s welfare and well-being and instilled within each one the necessity of faith and prayer. What a glorious mission was hers, and how wonderfully she performed her many duties and responsibilities. Her children, with their families came to visit with her often and how she loved to see them come and to be with them. There was always that same sweet spirit with her in the old home and they would all attend meetings together and renew acquaintances. Her neighbors all loved her and her friends were many. She would often go and visit with her children in their hoes and assist them in whatever way she could. She was never idle. In her leisure hours she always sat knitting or crocheting. She made beautiful quilts and handwork of every description. All of her children were supplied with quilts from her own patchwork patterns. She presented each missionary who lift the ward with a beautiful crochet lace for pillow cases. She did all her own work. Hannah was a Relief Society teacher, performing her duties well for many years. As her health began to fail she would spend more time in the homes of her daughters who cared tenderly for her. In December of 1941 she suffered a serious sick spell. We thought at the time that she was going to pass away. We were all at her bedside, but she was permitted to live longer with us. When she recovered, it was thought best to have her live with her daughters so they could care for her, so the old home was sold and she was taken to the home of her oldest daughter Sina. In 1945 while visiting with her son Arthur she suffered a slight stroke affecting her speech. She could not say the things she wanted to and it made her feel very self conscious. At this time she was taken to her daughter Ruth’s. September 25th 1947, while staying with her daughter Myrtle, she fell from a truck and fractured her hip. She was taken to a Richfield Hospital where she remained for 10 days in a cast and was then taken to Myrtle’s home where she remained in the cast for 4 months. This was a trying time for her. She was nursed successfully through this and was able to walk again. The next June she was taken to Ruth’s home where on August 15th 1948 she became ill and passed away at Utah Valley Hospital. She was taken to the old home town where funeral services were held and where she was buried. Both children and grandchildren honor her name and hold her in high esteem for her upright and noble life and sterling character. They thank her for her devotion and hold dear her many teachings. God bless her memory. Christie Clark Robertson Myrtle Clark Bagley
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