Gardner Clark was born 15 January 1791 in Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts to Rodman Clark and Huldah Leaming. The town of Lee, located near the Berkshire Hills, was known for its paper mills and marble. By 1810, the Clark family had relocated at Geneseo, Ontario, New York (now in Livingston County). In 1813, Gardner married Delecta Farrar in Geneseo. Early in their marriage they moved to Livonia, about ten miles to the east. Their seven children were all born in that area of Livingston County.
By 1840, Gardner and Delecta had taken up land in Scott County, Illinois. It was there that they were introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints centered in nearby Nauvoo. Gardner was baptized at Geneva, Illinois on 14 May 1840 by Orson Hyde. In November of that year, a Geneva Stake was organized and Gardner was ordained a high priest and bishop on 10 November 1840 by Hyrum Smith.
On 28 April 1842, the Clarks moved to Nauvoo where they were part of the 9th Ward. Records show Gardner's Nauvoo property as Block 56 Lot 4 and also the south half of Block 6 Lot 25 in the Kimball 1st Section. In June of 1844 mobs began to gather in surrounding areas threatening to drive the Mormons from Nauvoo. On June 18th, the Nauvoo Legion was ordered out and the city declared under martial law by mayor, Joseph Smith. On that date, Gardner Clark was listed as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd Cohort, 2nd Company, 4th Regiment of the Legion.
As mob persecution continued over the next two years, the citizens of Nauvoo prepared for an exodus. The diary of Samuel H.B. Smith, a step-grandson of Gardner, gives a glimpse of the Clark family during that time.
"Towards the Fall of 1846, Gardner Clark, my stepmother's Father, came for me to accompany him West, and with the consent of Elias [Smith], I set off with him and arrived safely at the camp, then but a short distance from Montrose opposite Nauvoo. After a few weeks in camp, [we] took our line of march across the State of Iowa, taking our turns in driving the cattle and sheep and herding until we arrived on the banks of the Missouri river. We found many had gone over, many were crossing, and great numbers were preparing to follow. We soon joined in with the latter, and after some considerable labour found ourselves landed in Winter Quarters. We soon found out what we had to do, for the winter was nigh at hand. My occupation was that of a herdsman, and to otherwise assist as occasion might require. Gardner Clark and his son Andrew went to work with great earnestness to build a log house for our winter residence."
It was a tragic winter and spring for those gathered at Winter Quarters. Hundreds died, including Gardner Clark. He died of scurvy on 11 April 1847 at the age of fifty-six. His name appears on the memorial plaque in the Winter Quarters Pioneer Cemetery in Florence, Nebraska.
Delecta Farrar was born 30 January 1796 at Chittenden, Rutland, Vermont. Her parents were Asa Farrar and Dorinda Pearson, some of the first settlers of Chittenden. Around 1805, the Farrar family moved to western New York and settled near Avon, which is now in Livingston County.
Around 1813, Delecta married Gardner Clark from near-by Geneseo. For over twenty years, they lived in Livingston County where all seven of their children were born, six daughters and one son.
By 1840, the Clarks had moved to Scott County, Illinois. Their daughter, Delecta, had recently married Selah Masten and stayed behind in New York. While living in Scott County, Delecta saw two other daughters marry, both on the same day. On 30 May 1841, Levira became the wife of Samuel H. Smith and Dorinda married Hazen Kimball.
On 27 May 1842, shortly after joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Delecta became a member of the Nauvoo Relief Society. During their five year stay in Nauvoo, Delecta witnessed the growth of the city, the building of the temple and the marriages of daughters Cedenia and Adelia. She also witnessed the continual persecutions and was eventually forced to flee with her family in the fall of 1846.
After enduring a difficult trek across Iowa and harsh weather at Winter Quarters, Delecta had to face the trial of her husband's death. Her step-grandson told of how they managed after the loss.
"I then came under the more especial care of my Stepmother [Levira Clark Smith], her Mother [Delecta], and Andrew Clark, so we all moved onto a Farm the opposite side of the river, and succeeded in raising quite a quantity of Indian corn, buckwheat, and vegetables enough, so that we got along very well during the winter of 1847, and in the Spring of 1848, I went into Missouri along with Richard Ballantine, to obtain a few requisites for the plains, and after a very interesting journey returned with a pretty good outfit, considering our destitute condition. The next thing to be considered was who should go through that season and who should remain until another year, which was finally agreed that Grandmother Clark and myself should join Teams with William G. Young and Family, and go through, while Andrew, Mother, and Sister Levira remained."
Daughters Cedenia (B.H. Young) and Dorinda (Hazen Kimball) had gone ahead in the Joseph Noble Company of 1847. Delecta took young Samuel in hand and joined with two other daughters Adelia (William G. Young) and Huldah (Richard Ballantyne). They departed from Winter Quarters 5 June 1848 with the Brigham Young Company of '48. Andrew and Levira stayed behind. At age 52, Delecta crossed Nebraska and Wyoming, arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in September of 1848. Early maps show that she owned property in Block 72 on First South in the 13th Ward.
As time passed over the next thirteen years, Delecta stayed with her married daughters, Adelia and Cedenia in Salt Lake and Huldah in Ogden. The Deseret News of 23 October 1861 announced her passing. "Delecta Clark, widow of Gardner Clark died 26 September 1861 in Ogden at age 65 years, 7 months and 22 days."
See history of William Goodall Young and Adelia Clark
I, Gardner Clark, the son of Rodman Clark, the son of William Clark, my mother's name was Huldah Leaming, daughter of Aaron Leaming, was born January 15, 1791, Lee County of Birkshire, Massachusetts. I was baptized by Orson Hyde May 14, 1840 in Geneva, Scott County, Illinois, and ordained a high priest and bishop to the stake at Geneva, November 10, 1840, under the hands of Hyrum Smith. I removed to Nauvoo on April 28, 1842.
[The above statement was part of a report of the Nauvoo 9th Ward High Priests Quorum, December 21, 1844 as recorded by clerk Joseph Holbrook.]