The following letter was written by 31 year-old Henry Gleason Clark (1832-1907) to his older brother, Normal L. Clark (1830-1873). The brothers were the oldest sons of Samuel Clark (1799-1840) and Sabrah Cole (1806-1896). After their father died, their mother remarried to Lawrence McNamee (1805-1888) of Coleburg, Delaware county, Iowa.

As a young man, Henry went to California during the gold rush but returned to Clayton county, Iowa in 1853 and settled on a farm in Fayette county in 1860. He was married to Josephine Amelia Otis in 1859 and had at least three children.

Norman also went to California as a young man and never returned to live in Iowa. In 1861 he relocated to Idaho where he worked in the placer mines. He finally settled down and became the sheriff of Alturas county, Idaho. He died at age 43 in Rocky Bar, Elmore county, Idaho.

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Clermont, Fayette county, Iowa
March 27th 1864

N. L. Clark,

Dear brother, I write this with the expectation of sending it through by a couple of Norwegians. I heard through a letter from James M. Potts written from Salt Lake that you were at Virginia City. I do not know that it is necessary to make any excuses for not writing before as I believe you now stand debtor on that score to more than one letter.

I hope I shall find timber enough in the incidents of three or four years life to make at least a presentable sheet. My social correspondence during that time has been very limited & you know one grows dull from want of practice in anything. About 4 years ago I overleaped that terrible Benedictine barrier and became what is generally termed a practical man. The natural cares incumbent upon my present life, such as spanking babies (for I have two of them), keeping up an establishment, and the minor items tend to bring out all the business faculties of a man, and use up the most of those leisure moments which he had formerly dedicated to social intercourse with our friends (as you will become fully convinced should you ever make the same step) though you may claim this is an objection, it has the redeeming trait of fixing our purposes and doing away with that vacillating mind which all Benedicts are cursed with.

But enough of this. I do not propose to try to influence you to enter the matrimonial state, so will change the subject and commence anew upon my own occupation which is simply farming. This I know you do not envy me, but it has its pleasures as well as everything else. But even to wave these one cannot always consistently follow that which suits his own taste the best. I entered here for the purpose of making money on the investment and partly (for I then intended to go to California) vulgarly speaking, for the purpose of laying a nest egg to fall back on provided I failed in that expedition. I came up here for the purpose of improving ,y land so that I could sell it. I have since I came built two houses, broke up 250 acres, and fenced (or will have fenced this spring) about 450 acres. Am beginning to make some money on it. I got off from it last year (rent and all) 1400 bushels of wheat, 450 of oats, and somewhere between 1000 and two thousand bushels of corn & sold $230 worth of pork. But last year was an extra good year. I do not expect the same next.

I have my farm dived by a road running through it into three farms—one of 160 acres, one 295 acres, one 282 acres. I live on the largest, The all have plenty of water (springs) and good meadow and upland. I shall endeavor to sell the two smallest this summer. There is a railroad coming which will get within 7 miles of me this summer & will finally pass within two miles of me. I think under the excitement which generally precedes a road, that I will have no trouble in selling. I shall probably not sell the other farm until the times become more settled.

My oldest little buck (Ewing) has just come in and says tell his uncle to come home next week and bring him some candy and raisons and apples.

Although I have but little doubt about the final political and National result of our present struggle, still it is very difficult forming an opinion as to the financial or commercial result. Thus, had I everything in greenback, I would not known to invest in outside of farming that would not be attended with considerable risk. At farming, we are sure of enough to eat and drink. By the bye, how do you stand upon our present political troubles and if you stand by the old flag, who are your choice for the next standard bearer? Has the daring Path Finder Fremont ot that sturdy unconditional man Butler lost cast in your eyes? Some dislike them because they use too hard a club, but they are favorites here and among the soldiers. We cannot see the necessity of exposing ourselves to the bite of a serpent and using a feather to kill him when there is a good stout club convenient. We believe that the feather and red tape arrangement has cost us more money and men that would quell two rebellions.

Now for local news. I will begin with Uncle Amasa. Poor uncle. He is no better nor do I expect he ever will be. Better death a thousand times than to be in his situation. Mother has very good health. Has just returned from making us a long visit. Uncle Mc. came up after her. His health is also good. Baily and wife and two little girls were out here today. They are all well and prospering. Ben is at Vicksburg. Thinks hard of you because you do not write him. Write him by all means.

Sam is here and at Colesburg off and on. He starts next month to Massachusetts to accept a situation offered him in a factory. Uncle Charles is at Chatfield. I think he has lost much of his tack as a business man. Will trust any damned cuss that will put on a good face and then surse the whole worth as a damned set of thieving Yankees. Lute Glasgow died in Chatfield last summer. Uncle Ephraim and Aunt Mary are now in Colesburg. Uncle E. is so tight, he can’t hardly shut his eyes for fear he will lose a chance to make a penny.

Perry Perkins and wife are now stopping at Uncle Mc.’s. Reny is in very poor health. Jerrymah Page was arried again a few days ago. Potts family were all well the last I heard from them. McKeay is going to Idaho. Jim Simmons is worse off than nothing and don’t try to be any better. Old Dad Mallory & Wiltse have both married new wives. Give love to [ ] and a welcome home to both of you whenever you find time to come.

Truly your brother, — H. G. Clark