Maj. Edwin A. Clark, a prominent official of Jackson, was born in Charlotte, N.C., in 1826. His father, Jonas Clark, was born in Maryland, in 1759, and went to North Carolina, at an early age. He volunteered in the Revolutionary war, when eighteen years of age, and served four years. He afterward drew a pension of $220 per year, for his services. He came to Tennessee in 1830. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Alexander, was born in North Carolina, in 1787, and was Jonas Clark's third wife. She and her husband were members of the Presbyterian Church, and belonged to the Steel Creek congregation. The father died in 1845, and his wife in 1858. Edwin A. Clark was reared on a farm, and at the age of fifteen left home and began clerking for $220 per annum. With the exception of ten months, spent in the Mexican war, he clerked until 1849, but with increased wages, after the first year. Some time after the close of the Mexican war, he went to California, where he remained until 1851. In 1852 he married Martha Childress, of Springfield, Tenn., daughter of George and Martha (Murdock) Childress. Mrs. Clark was born in 1835, and is the mother of three children - one daughter and two sons. Mrs. Clark died in 1869, and in May, 1881, Maj. Clark married Mary M. Black, of Henderson County, daughter of Thomas N. and Mary Black. She was born in 1843. Mr. Clark and his brother engaged in the mercantile business at Cotton Grove, about 1852, and continued the same for six years. He then spent four years doing business at different points. In 1862 he, as captain, and S. D. Barnett, as first lieutenant, assisted in the organization of the Fifty-first Tennessee Regiment, and Mr. Clark was chosen major. He was captured at Fort Donelson, and was exchanged after the seven days' fight in and around Richmond. On account of physical disability, he was unable to engage longer in the service, and returned home and resumed mercantile business at Spring Creek, in partnership with Herron & Mason, continuing five years. The following two years were spent in farming, and he then came to Jackson and began speculating in cotton, which resulted in financial embarassment. He then clerked for sometime, and held the office of tax collector during 1874-75, and in 1876 he was defeated by a Republican, for the sheriff's office, and in 1878 was elected county court clerk, and held the office eight years. He is at present a candidate for the office of comptroller of the State. He is a Democrat, and he and Mrs. Clark are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Goodspeeds History of Tennessee