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[teran buettell]

Hi! Feel like a fish in a man's world, here. Don't know whether or not you can help me, but, here goes--I am interested in learning more about the forts constructed at White Oak Springs, WI. My ancestors were involved with the war there and elsewhere. Sample Journey, the man credited with building the larger of the two forts was the brother of my gggggrandmother. Also, some individuals ensconced therein were family, including John C. Thomas and John Ankeny and family. I also have links to the Parkinsons, at least one of whom was involved in the battle at Pecatonia. I am particularly interested in knowing more about Capt. Clark, supposedly the commander of the fort built by S. Journey. I think he may be my ggggggrandfather. I hope I am not out of line using your forum genealogically. I am kind of stumped and you guys seem so knowledgeable, I thought you might be able to help. Thanks!

[teranb]

Hi! I feel like I am lost in a man's world, here. I am interested in learning more about two forts built at White Oak Springs, WI, supposedly under the command of Capts. Colter and Clark. I am particularly interested in learning more about the identity of Capt. Clark. I believe he may be my ggggggrandfather. Sample Journey, the man credited with building the larger of the two forts, was the brother of my gggggrandmother. Other family members were also ensconced in the fort during the war, including John C. Thomas and John Ankeny and his family. I also have links to the Parkinsons, at least one of whom was involved in the battle at Pecatonia. I hope it is not inappropriate for me to use the forum for genealogical purposes. I am at a loss for where to turn for this information and you all seem so knowledgeable. I notice in your historical society mission statement you indicate you intend to collect and share genealogical information. I would be happy to share what I have with you, if you would like. Hope you can help! Thanks.

[teranb]

Okay, now I feel really stupid! I got an error message the first time I tried posting saying I couldn't because I wasn't registered (which I was, by the way!). Now I see it posted so I repeated myself by trying again. I am sorry! And you can stop shaking your heads ! I really do know how to use a computer!

[Robert Braun]

Hello Teran, and welcome to our forum!

I have some limited information on Captain Benjamin Clark, which I will post later.

There is also some limited information on the forts in the White Oak Springs area... but I have the impression from your note that you may already have consulted the one source (of which I am aware) that talks about these strongpoints. Yes?

r.

[teranb]

The only source I have for this information is The History of Lafayette County, which I found in the Historical Records Room of the Galena Public Library while trying to locate my Journey ancestors. I had only a half hour in the library, so I photocopied any page that had a name on it that I recognized. It was only after I got home, a 2-hr. drive away, that I read it and realized what a potential goldmine I had stumbled upon! Almost all the people mentioned in the fort were related to my family. However, it is at the bottom of the page and I have no more information about it. And my local library, in IA, has no such history. I did do some more research via internet in JoDaviess County and found my gggggrandfather enlisted as a corporal in Capt. William S. Hamilton's Company of Galena Mounted Volunteers, commanded by Gen. Henry Dodge , serving under the command of Brig. Gen. Henry Atkinson on the Wisconsin (river, I presume), from 26 Aug through 10 Sept 1827. I have noticed in tracking early military records that often family served together and Benjamin Clark also served in Elizabeth at the Apple River Fort from what I could find. My ancestors were among the early settlers of Elizabeth and David Clark and Nancy Journey Clark were among them. She is buried there. I don't know how much, if any, biographical information is available for Capt. Clark. I do appreciate your help, however. If you are interested in any genealogical data for your organization's files, please let me know. The Journey cousins to my Journeys married strongly into the Parkinson family and I have some information on them, though it is limited since it is not my direct line. Thank you.

[Robert Braun]

My source indicates that Benjamin W. Clark was a native of Virginia. He lived briefly in Wabash County, Ill. before moving to Rock Island County, opposite Fort Armstrong, in late 1828.

As you have already noted, Clark served in William "Billy' Hamilton's Company of volunteers, raised during the Winnebago (Red Bird) War of 1827. Apparently, Clark settled opposite Fort Armstrong after that disturbance died down.

In 1832, Clark raised a company in what was later called the "Iowa County Regiment, Michigan Volunteers." This company served from May 16 until discharged on October 16, 1832.

According to the "War News" from Galena, May 23, 1832: A company has been organized at White Oak Springs, 10 miles from Galena, of which Benj. W. Clark is Capt., John R. Schultz 1st Lieut., J. B. Woodson 2d Lieut. The company consists of seventy, and a stockade has been erected. This stockade was probably the one erected by Mr. Sample M. Journey and dubbed "Fort Clark." The location of this fort is as yet unclear to me.

Clark's company did not stay on garrison duty at the fort. The company was incorporated into a mounted squadron known as the "Michigan Mounted Volunteers" under Colonel Henry Dodge. Clark's company was heavily engaged during the battle of Wisconsin Heights, July 21, 1832, and lost several men wounded. Earlier that day, the company lost a man shot in the leg when crossing the Four-Lakes Region (present-day Madison, Wisconsin) in pursuit of the British Band. Clark's company was also present at the battle of the Mississippi (Bad Axe.)

After the war, Clark travelled south to the familiar Rock Island area and operated a ferry there. Reportedly, he then moved across the Mississippi and settled in what would become Buffalo, Iowa in 1833. He promoted the settlement of Buffalo, and operated a ferry between that location and Andalusia. There is a state park at the location, see:


www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missriver/CampingPage/Clarks%20Ferry.htm

Specific infomation on Clark and other ferry operators may be found at:

www.celticcousins.net/scott/ferries.htm


Clark passed away on October 25, 1839.

I am personally fascinated by Benjamin Clark and his company, and remain greatful for any geneological information you might be willing to share.

Kind regards, Bob.