Edward Clark (governor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Clark
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| 8th Governor of Texas | |
| In office March 16, 1861 – November 7, 1861 |
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| Lieutenant | None |
| Preceded by | Sam Houston |
| Succeeded by | Francis Lubbock |
| 7th Lieutenant Governor of Texas | |
| In office 1859–1861 |
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| Governor | Sam Houston |
| Preceded by | Francis R. Lubbock |
| Succeeded by | John McClannahan Crockett |
| Secretary of State of Texas | |
| In office December 22, 1853 – December 21, 1857 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas H. Duval |
| Succeeded by | T.S. Anderson |
| Member of the Texas Senate from the 3rd district |
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| In office 1847–1848 |
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| Preceded by | William Thomas Scott |
| Succeeded by | Hart Hardin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 1, 1815 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | May 4, 1880 (aged 65) Marshall, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Lucy Long Martha Melissa Evans |
| Children | 4 |
| Profession | Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service | United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit | 14th Texas Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Edward Clark (April 1, 1815 – May 4, 1880) was the eighth Governor of Texas. He served during the start of the American Civil War.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Edward Clark was born on April 1, 1815, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father was Elijah Clark Jr. His uncle, John Clark, was the Governor of Georgia from 1819 to 1823. His grandfather was Elijah Clarke.
Clark grew up in Georgia. After his father passed away in the 1830s, he moved to Montgomery, Alabama. There, he studied to become a lawyer.
Political and Military Career
Clark moved to Texas in 1842 and started his own law business. He helped with the Texas Annexation Convention. This was a meeting about Texas joining the United States. He also served two terms as a state representative. This meant he helped make laws for Texas.
During the Mexican–American War, Clark worked for Major General J. Pinckney Henderson. He also fought in the Battle of Monterrey. After the war, he became the Secretary of State for Governor Elisha M. Pease. Later, he served as Lieutenant Governor under Governor Sam Houston.
Becoming Governor
In 1861, the American Civil War was beginning. Governor Sam Houston refused to support the Confederacy. Because of this, Edward Clark became the new Governor of Texas.
One of Clark's first actions as governor was to ask people to give their firearms and ammunition to the state. He also wanted to count all privately owned weapons. However, most Texans did not give up their weapons. They were worried the state might take them permanently.
After the Governorship
Clark lost the next governor's election to Francis Lubbock by a very small number of votes. He then became a colonel in the Texas militia during the Civil War. In 1863, he joined the Confederate States Army. He led the 14th Texas Infantry Regiment.
His unit was part of the "Greyhound Division." Clark was injured in the Battle of Pleasant Hill. He was later promoted to Brigadier General in the militia in 1865. After the war ended, he briefly went to Mexico. He then returned home to Marshall, Texas.
Family Life
Edward Clark married Lucy Long in 1840, but she passed away soon after. In 1849, he married Martha Melissa Evans. They had four children together:
- William Evans Clark (born April 1849, died June 1852)
- John Evans Clark (born January 30, 1852, died October 9, 1923)
- William Evans Alfred Clark (born July 12, 1853, died April 9, 1879)
- Nannie M Clark (born around 1855, died January 8, 1913)
Later Years and Death
Edward Clark died on May 4, 1880, in Marshall, Texas. He is buried in the Marshall City Cemetery. A historical marker shows where his grave is located.
Images for kids
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Slave quarters of Edward Clark's home in Austin. He enslaved nine people.
