Edward Clark (governor)
| Edward Clark | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 8th Governor of Texas | |
| In office March 18, 1861 – November 7, 1861 |
|
| Lieutenant | Vacant |
| Preceded by | Sam Houston |
| Succeeded by | Francis Lubbock |
| 7th Lieutenant Governor of Texas | |
| In office 1859–1861 |
|
| 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 |
|
| Preceded by | Thomas H. Duval |
| Succeeded by | T.S. Anderson |
| Member of the Texas Senate from District 3 | |
| In office 1847–1848 |
|
| Preceded by | William Thomas Scott |
| Succeeded by | Hart Hardin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 1, 1815 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Died | May 4, 1880 (aged 65) Marshall, Texas |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Lucy Long Martha Melissa Evans |
| Children | 4 |
| Profession | Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/branch |  Confederate States Army |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Unit | 14th Texas Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Edward Clark (April 1, 1815 – May 4, 1880) was the eighth Governor of Texas. His term coincided with the beginning of the American Civil War.
Early life[edit]
Edward Clark was born on April 1, 1815 in New Orleans, Louisiana.[1][2] His father was named Elijah Clark, Jr..[2] His paternal uncle, John Clark, served as the Governor of Georgia from 1819 to 1823.[2] His paternal grandfather was Elijah Clarke.
Clark grew up in Georgia.[2] After his father died in the 1830s, he moved to Montgomery, Alabama with his mother and studied the law.[2]
Career[edit]
Clark moved to Texas in 1842 and set up a law practice.[1] He served in the Texas Annexation Convention and two terms as a state representative in the Texas Legislature before fighting in the Mexican-American War.[2] When the war ended, he served as secretary of state under Governor Elisha M. Pease and as lieutenant governor serving under Governor Sam Houston.[1] When Sam Houston refused to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy, Clark became governor.[2]
After losing the governor's race by 124 votes to Francis Lubbock, Clark joined the 14th Texas Infantry as a colonel and was later promoted to brigadier general after being wounded in battle.[1] He fled briefly to Mexico at the end of the American Civil War, and returned home to Marshall, Texas.[1]
Personal life[edit]
Clark married Lucy Long in 1840,[1] but she died shortly after.[2] He married Martha Melissa Evans in 1849.[1][2] They had four children.[1][2]
Death[edit]
Clark died on May 4, 1880 in Marshall, Texas.[1][2] His grave in the Marshall City Cemetery is marked with a historical mark.
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Texas Governor Edward Clark". National Governors Association. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Wooster, Ralph A. (June 12, 2010). "CLARK, EDWARD". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
See also[edit]
| Texas Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William Thomas Scott |
Texas State Senator from District 3 1847–1848 |
Succeeded by Hart Hardin |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Thomas H. Duval |
Secretary of State of Texas 1853 – 1857 |
Succeeded by T.S. Anderson |
| Preceded by Francis R. Lubbock |
Lieutenant Governor of Texas 1859–1861 |
Succeeded by John McClannahan Crockett |
| Preceded by Sam Houston |
Governor of Texas 1861 |
Succeeded by Francis R. Lubbock |
- 1815 births
- 1880 deaths
- Governors of Texas
- Lieutenant Governors of Texas
- Secretaries of State of Texas
- Texas State Senators
- Confederate States Army officers
- Confederate militia generals
- People from Marshall, Texas
- People of Texas in the American Civil War
- Confederate state governors
- 19th-century American politicians
- Texas Democrats
- Democratic Party state governors of the United States
