Jesse M. Clark was born in Virginia April 2, 1804. He died in 1876 in Jefferson county Illinois. He married Mary Chambliss also a native of Virginia.

A romantic story is told about how Jesse met Mary Chambliss. The Clark's decided to move to Tennessee and camped along the way in a covered wagon or by a campfire. One morning their fire was out and they sent Jesse to a nearby house to get some coals. When he arrived with his kettle, the door was opened by the prettiest brown-eyed girl he'd ever seen. The Chambliss and Clark families got acquainted and the Chambliss' decided to move to Tennessee also. They settled near Nashville, Robertson County Tennessee. Jesse married the girl he borrowed the coals from. Jesse came to Jefferson County, Illinois in about 1855.

Jesse M. Clark was the father of 17 children by two marriages. His first wife died in Tennessee. His wife's sister-in-law was a widow of Mary Chambliss' brother. Her name was Sarah "Sally" (Connell) Chambliss. After Mary Chambliss' death - Jesse M.Clark married Sarah "Sally" (Connell) Chambliss. Sarah Chambliss had two children by Joseph Chambliss, Joe and Wiley Chambliss. Sarah's mother was also still living (Granny Connell - buried in Clark Cemetery near Harmony) and when the Clark's came to Illinois, Granny Connell came with them. There are old records in Tennessee to show that Jesse Clark and the Chambliss' sold their land before moving to Illinois. The Chambliss' were excellent carpenters, blacksmiths and many things in the mechanical line.

Submitted By: Julie Lusby