Hon. Horace S. Clark, attorney at law, Mattoon; was born in Huntsburg, Geauga Co., Ohio, Aug. 12, 1840; his father emigrated to Ohio from Vermont at an early day; at the age of 15 years, with a fair education, he left the old homestead and came West to Chicago, where he sought employment and labored a short time; he soon left the city and going to Kane Co., engaged in farm work during the summer and attended school during the winter season, paying his way by manual labor before and after school-hours; in the spring of 1856, he reached Iowa City, and made his home with an older brother while pursuing a student life in Iowa State University; here he soon became a leader among his fellow-students as an orator and debater; during vacations, he engaged in teaching school, and in the law office of Justice William E. Miller; read with attention and profit the works of Blackstone and various other treatises on law during the first year of his residence in Iowa City; he returned to Kane Co., purchased ten cows, shipped them by rail to the city, and from the proceeds of the milk, pailed by his own hands, defrayed his current expenses; in the spring of 1858, with a capital of $200, he speculated in fruit-trees, but failed to secure profitable returns; subsequently he went to St. Louis, and, purchasing various books, traveled over the country in order to dispose of them to advantage and profit; later we find him again in Ohio, resuming his studies in the legal firm of Smith & Page, in Circleville. He enlisted as a private in Co. E, 73d Ohio V. I.; was afterward Orderly Sergeant, Second and First Lieutenant, in which last position he often commanded his company; July 3, 1863, he was severely wounded in the battle of Gettysburg; later, he was offered Lieutenant-Colonelcy by Gov. Todd, of Ohio, but not being able to take the field, declined the appointment. He next removed to Nashville, Tenn.; when in business pursuits he met with deserved success; in 1865, he came to Mattoon, Ill.; in 1868, he was admitted to the bar; has held the office of City Police Magistrate, and was chosen Judge of the Common Pleas Court, filling out an unexpired term; though comparatively a young man, he is recognized as a very skillful and successful practitioner.
