Biography - Clark H. Carr, M. D.
CLARK
H. CARR, M. D., a physician and surgeon of Cowden, was born in Kenawha
County, W. Va., August 25, 1834. His parents, John K. and Margaret (Wyant)
Carr, were natives of the East, the father being born in Greenbrier County,
Va., in 1812, and the mother in Lawrenceburg, Ind., in 1818. The father has
been living since 1852 in DeWitt County, this State. The mother died
September 1, 1891. Nine of their large family of six sons and seven
daughters are still living, of whom our subject was the eldest.
The brothers and sisters of our subject are Violetta, wife of James Darby, a
farmer in Minnesota; John, who first married Mary Lloyd and afterward was
united with Ellen Swan, with whose assistance he is now carrying on farming
in Sumner County, Kan.; Julia Ann, who was the wife of Stephen Webster, and
died in De Witt County, Ill., in 1872; Isaac L., a farmer near Humboldt,
Iowa, who married Mary Day; Mary, who married William Stewart and died in
Minnesota in 1871; Jane, the wife of Philip Shellenberger, a farmer who
lives in Piatt County, this State; Sarah E., who first married William
Stewart, a cousin of her sister Mary's husband and afterward became the wife
of George Hitchen, of Gibson City, Ill.; Michael M., who married Sophronia
Barr and lives in Piatt County; Leonard S., who married Elizabeth McMann,
and resides in DeWitt County, and two children who died in early infancy.
The subject of this sketch accompanied his parents from West Virginia to
Indiana, thence to Missouri and in 1852 located with them in DeWitt County,
Ill., where the father now resides. He received his education in the public
schools of this state and was about twenty-five years old when he began to
read medicine. In 1866 he commenced the practice of his profession in
Christian County, but in 1873 came to Cowden, where he remained for two
years and then went back to his old place in Christian County. In the spring
of 1880 he returned to Cowden where he has since remained.
Dr. Carr has been twice married. His first wife was Mary C. Green, who was
born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1836, and married the Doctor in Indiana in
1856. One child was born of this marriage, Millard Fillmore, whose natal day
was August 18, 1857. On October 31, of the same year, Mrs. Carr passed from
earth, and her son was tenderly reared by his paternal grandparents.
The second marriage of our subject took place October 13, 1859, when he was
united with Catherine Johnson. She was born December 17, 1833 in Ross
County, Ohio. The six children born of this marriage are all living. Mary C.
born September 1, 1860, is now Mrs. James E. Orendoff and lives in Hall
County, Neb.; Laura E., born January 22, 1863, married Alfred E. Gross, and
lives in Davis County, Neb.; Samuel C., born December 4, 1864, is engaged in
the study of medicine; Margaret E., born July 2, 1867, married William G.
Banning and resides on a farm in Dry Point Township, Shelby County; Ida F.,
born February 22, 1868, and Catherine J., born April 10, 1871, are at home
with their parents.
Dr. Carr has established a fine reputation as a practitioner and enjoys a
large and lucrative practice in Cowden and vicinity, he is regarded in the
community as the leading physician, he attended lectures at the Missouri
Medical College at St. Louis, Mo., at which popular institution he made a
creditable record. He has always been a close student and has labored hard
to gain the standing which he now holds in his profession. Realizing that
old age is creeping on, the Doctor has inspired his son Samuel with the
desire to receive the mantle of his sire when he shall drop it, and thus to
perpetuate the family name in the profession. The Doctor is a worthy member
of Joppa Lodge, No. 706, F. & A. M., at Cowden, and a stanch Republican in
politics having always voted that ticket, and being regarded as the local
leader in his party.
In connection with this biographical notice the reader will find a
lithographic portrait of Dr. Carr.
Extracted 12 Jan 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 396-398.
