Page 35 - MFM Aug Sept 2019

of christening the euphonious name of “Swazy” was bestowed Chapter 5
upon me, while Hector, less fortune, had his name lengthen
by the very common surname of “Smith.” After we had lived upon the farm for about a year and a
half, my father concluded again to engage in merchandising.
Here I should relate one of the most melancholy incidents in Uncle Bezelleel Wells Clark had become involved in building
the history of our family. Hector was a bright, handsome boy, a dwelling house in Mt. Eaton, and my father, to relieve him of
the favorite of my father, and just at that age when children his debts, bought the property and fi tted up one of the rooms
are most interesting. My father had gone to a little village for the sale of goods. We lived on the farm about a half-mile
called Berlin, in Holmes County. from the town for some time after the goods arrived from New
York, and until early in the summer when the house was made
The day was warm, and Hector and myself were playing ready for the reception of the family in Mt. Eaton. I was the
in the tan year, throwing pieces of bark into the vats, and only assistant my father had in the store and occupied a bed on
amusing ourselves generally after the manner of children. the counter at night. In the morning I would open the doors
and sweep out the room, by which time my father generally
I was sent to town on some errand, and upon my return came in from breakfast.
Hector was not to be seen. I told the adults near which
particular vat in the year I had left him, and upon searching The farm was rented out on shares to tenants, my Uncle
it he was found at the bottom, but his spirit had left its early Bezelleel being one, and occupied the farmhouse. I remained
tenement and the light of his eye was extinguished in death. with my father in the store except during a few days in harvest
and threshing time, when I assisted all I could in the fi elds and
I shall never forget his appearance when taken from the barn. My Grandfather Clark spent a great deal of his time in
discolored water, nor the feelings of awe with which I beheld the store, keeping the books, which required but a few hours
his lifeless body. Since then I have seen death in its most each day, and in reading and playing checkers. I then acquired
terrible forms, but my mind has never been impressed with a slight knowledge, but great love of that game, which has
as much horror as when I gazed upon my brother’s inanimate remained with me through life.
body.
My father at this time continued merchandising only about
My father was sent for at once, but did not arrive home until eighteen months if I remember correctly when he wound up
the next day. It was fearful to witness his great grief over the his business aff airs and commenced the study of the law.
inanimate clay of his favorite son. He commanded all to leave
the room, and he remained alone with the dead. His sorrows My education so far had been somewhat neglected. It is true
were too deep and painful to be witnessed by others, and his I had been sent to school as long as most of the other boys of
lamentations were as bitter and heart-rending as those of the my age in the neighborhood, but only a few months at a time,
9
King for the death of Absalom. and to several diff erent teachers, male and female. Now I was
set to a select school, presided over by a man named Worley,
This affl iction induced my father to sell the tannery. a Down East Yankee, under whose direction I acquired a fair
He did not wish to retain the place which had caused him knowledge of geography and a smattering of arithmetic and
so much misery, and he again took up his residence in Mt. grammar.
Eaton and engaged in selling goods. Having wound up his
business aff airs early in the year 1837, my father moved to During the political campaign of the year 1840, when
New Philadelphia in Tuscarawas county, where we remained General Harrison and Mr. Martin Van Buren were the
during the summer. In the autumn of that year, my father respective candidates of the two great parties in the country
bought an unimproved farm adjoining the town of Mt. Eaton. for the offi ce of President of the United States, my father was
This farm embraced three hundred and twenty acres of rich, a warm partisan and a supporter of General Harrison. He was
productive land, which he at once commenced to improved by the acknowledged leader of the Whigs in our neighborhood,
clearing and fencing the ground and erecting a comfortable and his activity and warm support of the cause of his party
dwelling house. I was about nine years old at this time, and made him many enemies, both political and personal.
rendered my father all the assistance in my power in his labors However, his kind and obliging disposition, general good
on the farm. spirits, and fi ne social qualities attracted to him many warm
personal friends in the ranks of Democracy.
It was while we were living on this farm that I fi rst attended
dancing school. I shall never forget the fi rst time I attempted He was the oracle of his own party at home and numbered
the intricate fi gure of a cotillion with a little girl as a partner. among his friends nearly all the young men of the village
I was awkward and bashful, while my little dancing partner and surrounding county, who reverenced and esteemed him
was equally coy and diffi dent. Besides, the old folks were almost as a father. And never had young men more reasons
watching our progress in the poetry of motion, while several for the bestowal of their love and admiration upon anyone, for
persons of about our own age were leering and laughing at us. he was always ready to assist and advise with them in time of
trouble, and participate with them in very many of their social
enjoyments and amusements. What he approved, they most
--- always acquiesced in, and what he disapproved they never
9. King David, II Samuel 18:33. failed to reject.
Montana Freemason Page 35 Aug/Sept 2019 Volume 95 No .6