Ancestor of the Month Michael J. Clark

Michael Joseph Clark is the father of John P. Clark and grandfather to Maynard.

The Musical Life of Michael Joseph Clark

In 1845 at the age of fourteen years, Michael Joseph Clark began his musical life. His first music book was Bertimes Piano Instructor, one of the first editions published in America. His first teacher’s name was Thomas Carroll. This book is still in good condition and he kept it until he died. He advanced as fast as he could under this teacher and then studied under Henry Yarkers, who came from Germany; this was while he was in Providence, Rhode Island. Michael also studied at Boston, Massachusetts. He was a member of the Union Brass Band in Providence. In 1858 he was musical director and organist at St. Bernards Catholic Church. He played for their Sunday Schools and many festivals. The popular songs of the day were “The Mocking Bird,” “Hard Times,” “Old Folks at Home” and “Old Kentucky Home.” His favorite song was “The Last Rose of Summer” by Henry Herez. About this time Jenny Lind came from Europe and gave a series of concerts. She sang “Mary of Argyle,” and “When the Swallows Homeward Fly” and selections from the “The Bohemian Girl.” Two of the songs from the opera were “Then You’ll Remember,” and “I dreamed I Dwelt in Marble Halls,” that he loved very much. Michael attended Jenny Lind’s performance when he was very young.

Although raised a Catholic, Michael joined the LDS Church after meeting his future wife, Susannah Thompson. In 1861, when he moved to Utah, he brought the copies of these songs to Logan with him. He was the first musical director of the first concert given in Logan, Utah in January 1862. Some of the singers who took part in it were Emma Benson, Lottie Benson, Bill Benson, Ellen Blair, Anna Ferral, William Knowels, James Hyde, James Howell, Richard Evans, James Martewna, and the director Michael Joseph Clark. Michael J. also played the melodies, Alma Harris was a violinist, a man from Hyde Park played the cornet and clarinet, and Soffe Bensen sang “What Is a Home Without a Mother?” The opening chorus was “Away the Morn is Breaking,” glee songs were “Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming, “Hail Smiling Morning” and the closing song was “By The Shady Greenwood Tree.” This concert was given as a surprise to Brother Ezra T. Benson and Peter Maughan when they came from Salt Lake from the Legislature, but the people called a vote to give the proceeds to Michael Joseph Clark and family to help them through the winter. He also received a lot of vegetables to go with it. The tickets were 25 cents each. He carried the music he used across the plains.

In the spring of 1864 Michael moved his family to Virginia City, Montana. Here he was also engaged in music work. He played the Moldy and taught groups of twenty-one singers. They sang for Hebert J. Grant and Tomas F. Magh, the first governor of Montana.

During this time they moved to Helena where more gold had been discovered. He had only been there three days when a stranger came to him and asked him to get up a choir for the Catholic Church, to be used at the opening of the new church. He began practicing for the Christmas Midnight Service with sixteen members, mostly Germans, for St. Peters celebrated mass. He remained for three years at this occupation, receiving $6.00 per week. He gave his oldest son Alfred a start in music at this time. He paid $4,000 for his first piano and began togive private instruction. One of his students was Mrs. Caremanyle, whose husband was a delegate to Congress, and she won the laurels at the Grand Ball. During the next two years Michael held a musical position at $35.00 per week, with James McCarey, cornetist, and Charles Broy, violinist.

In 1873, after the saloon he owned burned down, destroying his prized piano and the costumes Susannah wore as she performed, he returned to Utah and settled in Clarkston. Michael did not like the place, but thought it best for his family. He taught the first music choir, and gave private piano lessons throughout Cache Valley.

A short time before he died he was asked to come down to Salt Lake City and play the Great Salt Lake Pipe Organ in the LDS Tabernacle, but he thought he was too old to go. Professor McClellan, made a trip to Clarkston to see Michael Joseph and stayed two and one half hours trying to get Michael Joseph to come to Salt Lake and play at LDS Conference. He

asked him why he was “buried in these God-forsaken hills.”

After he went back he wrote to Michael J. The following is a

copy of that letter, which is today among the keepsakes of his son John Peter Clark. It is dated 18 April 1925:

My Dear Brother Clark.

It was such a pleasure to meet you and to hear your dear voice. I have given you many a kindly thought since I left your hospitable home the other evening. I hope and pray that you are very well and that God will vouch safe you and me the pleasure and joy of having you here and play the Great Organ at the Tabernacle before too long a time has passed. You are a great credit to your church, your people, and to higher civilization. Brother Clark, you are a Godly man, your glorious life and excellent condition at your advanced years prove all this for your health and faculties seem so very fine for a young man of 60, which you look to be. I know that you are nearly 90 years old, and I marvel at your alertness, brightness of mind, and keenness of body.

Dear Brother Clark, the Lord bless and keep you many years for all of us who love you and honor you. I am waiting for you to come down and play and hear the Great Organ. It is as much yours as mine and you are more than welcome to it. Please give my kindest regards to your dear son, his darling wife and those two noble, charming girls.

My Love to all.

Your devoted Friend

J.J. McClellan.

Michael J. knew how to make pipe organs. He helped to put in the Logan Tabernacle organ and was the first to play it. It is said that he had a unique touch on the piano and organ, and although he was blind before he died he could play mater pieces from memory.

At the time of his death he had a long, snow-white beard. He was always very clean with himself. He died 30^th April 1927 at the age of 91 years, 6 months at Clarkston, Utah.

History by Sarah Homer Clark daughter in-law