At a period in the pioneer development of Miami county Levi Clark was born, in Monroe township, November 22, 1818, his birth occurring near the site of Tippecanoe City, although it was many years thereafter when the town was founded. He was the son of John Clark, one of the first settlers of Miami county. It was his father who, after purchasing a tract of one hundred acres, laid out thereon the little village which is now known as the enterprising and progressive Tippecanoe City. Upon a farm our subject was reared, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He remained with his father until nineteen years of age, when be removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and near that place served a three-years apprenticeship in the tanner's trade, during which time he was allowed the privilege of attending school during the winter season. When his apprenticeship was completed he went to Carlisle, Ohio, where he worked at tanning for two weeks, after which he returned to Miami county and engaged in farming near Tippecanoe City, there making his home until 1869, when he removed to the home in which his daughter now resides.

Mr. Clark was married on the 13th of February, 1840, to Miss Clarinda Ramsey, who was born, reared and married in the same house, her birth occurring October 20, 1821. In their family were ten children: Taylor, who died in 1852; Sarah and Irvin, who are also deceased; three who died in infancy; Maria, the widow of William Wilcox, of Dayton, Ohio; Leander; Asa, of Troy; and Frank A., who is living in Toledo, Ohio.

Although Mr. Clark devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits in Miami county, this work was twice interrupted, once when he went to California, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope. This was in 1852. He made the overland journey and was engaged in prospecting and mining in the Golden state for fourteen months. During the civil war he left the plow in order to serve for one hundred days in the Union army, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio Infantry, which was called to the front in defense of Washington. However, he gave most of his attention to the cultivation and improvement of his farm and was very successful in his work. He left to his widow a valuable property of one hundred and fourteen acres when death claimed him on the 27th of February, 1874. His life was quiet and unassuming, but was char-acterized by those qualities which ever insure respect. For his sterling worth he was highly esteemed and he was widely known in Miami county, where he made his home for so many years.