William Frederick, son of Frederick P. A. and Eliza J. (King) Clark, was born in Glover, Orleans county, Vermont, January 7, 1849. His elementary and college preparatory education was received at the Montpelier Seminary and the Orleans Liberal Institute, in his native town, and this he supplemented later by taking up the study of law. His first actual business occupation was as a farmer, and he then entered into general business. It was at about this time that he engaged in his legal studies, which, however, he abandoned in favor of the real estate and insurance business, with which he has since that time been prominently connected. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political affiliations are with the Republican party, of which he has always been a strong and highly valued supporter. His interest in the public affairs of the town has been a beneficial one for that section and he has served in the following offices: town superintendent, town grand juror, member of the Vermont state legislature in 1896. In 1898 he had charge of the leading bill making provision for the expenses and conduct of the Spanish-American war, and was assistant judge of Orleans county, Vermont, 1902-6. He holds a high rank in the Masonic Fraternity, being a member of: Orleans Lodge, No. 55, Free and Accepted Masons of Barton, Vermont; Keystone Chapter, No. 16, Royal Arch Masons; Malta Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar. of Newport, Vermont; Mount Sinai Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Montpelier, Vermont.
Mr. Clark married, September 27, 1871, Elizabeth Marston, born in Craftsbury, Vermont, June 6. 1848. She is the daughter of Deacon Charles Marston and Emeline B. (Emery) Marston, the former a member of the Vermont state legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Marston had two other children: Jeremiah; and Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have had children: 1. Charles F., born in 1873; was graduated from the University of Vermont, took a postgraduate course at Cornell University, and is now (1910) an instructor in the agricultural department of that institution. 2. Arthur W.. born in 1879; was graduated from the University of Vermont, and is row first assistant chemist in the New York State Agricultural Experimental Station, at Geneva, New York: he married, October 6. 1909. Muriel Blood, and has one child: Ruth Elizabeth. 3. Eliza E., born in 1889. 4. James G., born in 1891.