Clark, David S.

COL. DAVID S. CLARK, retired merchant, Erie, was born near Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., Penn., June 10, 1816; son of George and Anna (Sterrett) Clark, natives of Penn., of Scotch-Irish descent, both deceased. Our subject worked on his father?s farm until fifteen years of age. In 1831, he came to Erie City, and lived with his brother, James S. Clark, four years, and then followed mercantile business until 1852, in which year he retired, and soon after occupied himself in the building of the First Presbyterian Church. From 1860 to 1864, he devoted himself to oil refining in partnership with George Seldon and John H. Bliss. For two years following, he operated the oil refinery by himself. In 1840, Mr. Clark was elected Maj. of the 104th Reg. Penn. Militia, and in 1842 was elected by the votes of the regiment, and commissioned by Gov. Porter to the Colonelcy. Our subject, in 1839, was united in marriage with Jane Ann, daughter of Robert T. Sterrett, a prominent pioneer farmer of this county. The Colonel and wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church (he since 1842); he was Pres. of the Board of Trustees three years, and in 1857 was elected Elder; was also Manager of the Erie Cemetery several years. In politics, is a Democrat.