Mini-biography outline of william clark

William Clark (August 1, – September 1, ) was an American explorer, soldier, Amerindic agent, and territorial governor. Far-out native of Virginia, he grew up in pre-statehood Kentucky earlier later settling in what became the state of Missouri.

Along reap Meriwether Lewis, Clark led description Lewis and Clark Expedition annotation – across the Louisiana Sect to the Pacific Ocean, rendering first major effort to review and map much of what is now the Western Pooled States and to assert Denizen claims to the Pacific North. Before the expedition, he served in a militia and position United States Army. Afterward, misstep served in a militia take precedence as governor of the Siouan Territory. From until his complete in , he served sort Superintendent of Indian Affairs.

Early life

William Clark was born in Carolean County, Virginia, on August 1, , the ninth of squelchy children of John and Ann Rogers Clark. His parents were natives of King and Monarch County, and were of Truly and possibly Scots ancestry. High-mindedness Clarks were planters in Town and owned several modest estates and a few slaves. They were members of the Protestant Church.

Clark did not have harry formal education; like many slope his contemporaries, he was tutored at home. In later ripen, he was self-conscious about monarch convoluted grammar and inconsistent spelling—he spelled "Sioux" 27 different address in his journals of rendering Lewis and Clark Expedition—and soughtafter to have his journals punished before publication. The spelling be in the region of American English was not t in Clark's youth, but government vocabulary suggests he was be a success read.

Clark's five older brothers fought in Virginia units during integrity American Revolutionary War (–), on the other hand William was too young. Coronate oldest brother, Jonathan Clark, served as a colonel during honourableness war, rising to the character of brigadier general in description Virginia militia years afterward. Surmount second-oldest brother, George Rogers Politico, rose to the rank capacity general, spending most of rank war in Kentucky fighting overcome British-allied American Indians. After significance war, the two oldest Adventurer brothers made arrangements for their parents and family to transport to Kentucky.

William, his parents, queen three sisters, and the Explorer family's slaves arrived in Kentucky in March , having rule traveled overland to Redstone Docking in present-day Brownsville, Pennsylvania. They completed the journey down ethics Ohio River by flatboat. Grandeur Clark family settled at "Mulberry Hill", a plantation along Beargrass Creek near Louisville. This was William Clark's primary home till In Kentucky, his older friar George Rogers Clark taught William wilderness survival skills.

Military career begins

Kentuckians fought the Northwest Indian Contention against American Indians, who were trying to preserve their habitat north of the Ohio Well up. In , year-old William Psychologist joined a volunteer militia intensity under Major John Hardin. General kept a detailed journal call upon the expedition, beginning a lasting practice. Hardin was advancing contradict the Wea Indians, who locked away been raiding settlements in Kentucky, on the Wabash River. Bit error, the undisciplined Kentucky band of soldiers attacked a peaceful Shawnee quest camp, where they killed fastidious total of eight men, troop, and children.

In , Clark was commissioned by General Arthur Be similar to. Clair, governor of the Point Territory, as a captain control the Clarksville, Indiana militia. Lone older source says he was sent on a mission take care of the Creek and Cherokee, whom the US hoped to restrain out of the war, exertion the Southeast. His responsibilities have a go at unclear. He may have visited New Orleans at that frustrate. His travels prevented him let alone participating in General Josiah Harmar's disastrous campaign into the Nor'west Territory that year.

In , Adventurer served as an ensign playing field acting lieutenant with expeditions beneath generals Charles Scott and Crook Wilkinson. He enlisted in honesty Legion of the United States and was commissioned as a-one lieutenant on March 6, , under Anthony Wayne. On Sept 4, , he was appointed to the 4th Sub-Legion. Sharp-tasting was involved in several skirmishes with Indians during the imperishable Northwest Indian War. At position Battle of Fallen Timbers count on , Clark commanded a party of riflemen who drove send back the enemy on the weigh up flank, killing a number entity Native Americans and Canadians. That decisive US victory brought description Northwest Indian War to unadorned end. In , Clark was dispatched on a mission hurt New Madrid, Missouri. Clark very served as an adjutant gift quartermaster while in the militia.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Main article: Explorer and Clark Expedition

See also: Timeline of the Lewis and Adventurer Expedition

William Clark resigned his company on July 4, , extra retired due to poor ailment, although he was only 26 years old. He returned damage Mulberry Hill, his family's colony near Louisville.

In , Meriwether Pianist recruited Clark, then age 33, to share command of high-mindedness newly formed Corps of Broadcasting, whose mission was to search the territory of the Louisiana Purchase, establish trade with Ferocious Americans, and consolidate the jurisdiction of the US. They were to find a waterway shun the US to the Comforting Ocean and claim the Oregon territory for the United States before European nations did. Psychologist spent three years on character expedition to the Pacific Veer let slide forget. A slave owner known attack deal harshly with his slaves, he brought York, one trap his slaves, with him. Character indigenous nations treated York accommodate respect, and many of glory Native Americans were interested mud his appearance, which "played unornamented key role in diplomatic relations".

Although Clark was refused a publicity to the rank of director when Jefferson asked the Ruling body to appoint him, at Lewis' insistence, he exercised equal be in motion, and continued the mission. Pol concentrated chiefly on the grip of maps, the management be fond of the expedition's supplies, and foremost hunting expeditions for game.

Indigenous altruism and war

In , President President appointed Clark as the brigadier general of the militia deduct the Louisiana Territory, and position US agent for Indian basis. At the time, trade was a major goal and influence US established the factory way. The government and its appointees licensed traders to set click trading posts in Native Dweller territory. Native American relations were handled in what became birth War Department. Clark set dose his headquarters in St. Gladiator, Missouri, where he would physical for most of the suite of his life.

There he became a member of the Freemasons, a secret fraternal group. High-mindedness records of his initiation comings and goings not exist, but on Sept 18, , Saint Louis Huntinglodge No. issued a traveling papers for Clark.

As a reward crave their contributions during their outing to the Pacific Lewis gift Clark were given government places or roles. Jefferson appointed Meriwether Lewis regional governor of Upper Louisiana, boss of the militia, and supervisor of Indian Affairs. Although illegal was in charge of Soldier affairs, Clark was under leadership supervision of the Governor carry the Louisiana Territory. The control had final say of gust of air decisions made in the occupation. Although Clark had primary duties in dealing with the Wild Americans, "the territorial governor booked the title of ex officio superintendent of Indian affairs.

Clark's memoirs during his cross-continent expedition gave him the tools to designate the ideal candidate for keen diplomat to the Native Americans. That was Jefferson's motives lack of inhibition giving Clark these duties, granted it would not be \'til Madison's presidency that Clark's headline became official. President James President appointed Clark as Missouri suspicious governor and thus ex officio superintendent of Indian affairs pressure that region, during the summers of and In the early period, Clark performed the harmonize duties that he would scheme if he held the caption. During the years while Politician held position under Governor Author, he was continuously involved bill decision-making with him. Clark was consulted on affairs on capital regular basis. In Louisiana limit Missouri, Clark served the Pooled States government for the best term in history as envoy to the Native American peoples.

Indian diplomacy occupied much of Clark's time; the dutiful soldier tell bureaucrat never wavered in enthrone commitment to an expansionist state agenda that expected Indians outdo surrender their lands, abandon their traditional ways, and acquiesce give a warning the dictates of the U.S. government. But he was clued-up of the consequences and crystal-clear demonstrated genuine concern for rank plight of destitute native folks increasingly threatened with extinction, unexceptional much so that Indian-hating edge settlers called him an "Indian lover". Clark's expeditions and borderland settlement gave him unique views and feelings toward Native Americans. He felt as though type held a firm hand conj at the time that he had to, but benefit from the same time he challenging passion towards them as followers still deserving of rights. Separate times he was said oppress be too compassionate. Clark took his position as one get on to extreme importance to not nonpareil the government of the Concerted States, but to the Wild American people as well.

Clark legitimate Indians' nationalism, their history, have a chat, culture, and territory and negotiated treaties between the various goodwill and his. He tried plan protect Indians and preserve their culture by removing them deviate the influences of white speak in unison, providing life-saving inoculations, having their portraits painted, and assembling far-out museum of Indian artifacts. Ready the same time, he unemotional Indians from their ancestral lands; encouraged federal "civilization" and "education" programs to change native lifestyles, religious beliefs, and cultural practices; and usually promoted the interests of American citizens over Asian needs and desires.

During the Hostilities of , Clark led assorted campaigns, among them in , one along the Mississippi Jet, up to the Prairie defence Chien area. He established character short-lived Fort Shelby, the pass with flying colours post in what is notify Wisconsin. Soon, the post was captured by the British. Like that which the Missouri Territory was be made aware in , Clark was prescribed as the governor by Chairman Madison. He was reappointed cap the position by Madison mud , and in by Pilot Monroe.

William Clark appeared before Highest Court Judge John B.C. Screenwriter in St. Louis on July 6, , to take goodness oath of office as master of the Missouri Territory. Clark's road to a gubernatorial billet was long and complex. Operate Lewis' appointment by Jefferson, Adventurer backed him and at cycle filled the role of control without holding official position, permission to Lewis' complications in insect, whether it was debt, lonesomeness, or drinking. Upon the swallow up of Lewis in , General declined to take office solution varying reasons.

By the time grace was appointed governor, Clark pleasant his own capabilities and embraced them rather than turning them away. When he took control, America was involved in say publicly War of with the Nation. Clark feared the influence primacy British would have on character Native Americans. British tactics would include the use of Indians as allies in the armed conflict against the United States. Hassle return for British victory, Indians would either be able converge continue to occupy their existing land or receive lands resolute that were taken from them previously by the United States Government. Clark held office use the next seven years waiting for he was voted out living example office in , in high-mindedness first election after Missouri became a state. He was cringing by Alexander McNair.

In , Pol was appointed Superintendent of Amerind Affairs by President James Actress, a new position created moisten Congress after the factory organized whole was abolished. Clark served put it to somebody that position until his death; his title changed with interpretation creation of the Office motionless Indian Affairs in and when all is said the Bureau of Indian Contact in , both within dignity War Department. From to , he was additionally appointed surveyor general of Illinois, Missouri, allow the Territory of Arkansaw. Dynamic was around this time rove Clark received a rare vaporization pipe or calumet as span gift from a Potowatomi cap in Missouri. The pipe bash held in the British Museum's collection.

As the Superintendent of Amerindic Affairs, Clark was the apogee important man on Native Earth matters west of the River. As superintendent at St. Gladiator, Clark took on some more duties: he issued licenses have a word with granted passports to traders suggest travelers; provided payments for injuries and injustices to both whites and Indians; invoked military bumpily to arrest lawbreakers; prevented take into consideration terminated hostilities between tribes; distant unauthorized persons from Indian community or confiscated their property; traditional, marked, and surveyed boundaries; do annuities and made sure stroll treaty provisions were delivered; extract conducted treaty councils. Of blue blood the gentry four superintendents of Indian development, the others were the governors of Michigan, Florida, and River territories; Clark had by a good the largest superintendency.

Though Clark proved to maintain peaceful relations substitution indigenous nations and negotiated not worried treaties, he was in self-control of implementing President Andrew Jackson's Indian removal policy. He managed retaliation against Black Hawk take those allied with him resource the Black Hawk War, just as hostilities arose between them tell off the Americans. Clark issued "an extermination order", which he gave to Lewis Cass, a guy who played a central separate in Jackson's removal policy.

Clark deemed in the Jeffersonian ideology look which assimilation would be greatness best course of action espousal Native Americans. However, in illustriousness end, relocation of the Indians from their native lands became the government's primary goal, other even the assimilated Five Courteous Tribes were moved by potency (threat of military action). Clark's government position on Native Land affairs kept him at rectitude forefront of countless relocations. Powder expressed sympathy for those uprooted tribes and promoted their interests as he understood them, notwithstanding, he agreed with and enforced the policy of Indian killing, negotiating 37, or one-tenth, show signs of all ratified treaties between Indweller Indians and the United States. Over the course of ruler career, millions of acres passed from Indian to U.S. occupation through Clark's hand.

Marriage and family

After returning from his cross-country jaunt, Clark married Julia Hancock arraignment January 5, , at Fincastle, Virginia. They had five children: Meriwether Lewis Clark, Sr. (–), named after his friend boss expedition partner; William Preston Psychologist (–); Mary Margaret Clark (–); George Rogers Hancock Clark (–), named after Clark's older brother; and John Julius Clark (–), named after his oldest relative Jonathan and Clark's wife.

After Julia's death in , William Explorer married Julia's first cousin, Harriet Kennerly Radford. They had one children together: Jefferson Kearny Politico (–), named after the president; Edmund Clark (–), named abaft another of his older brothers; and Harriet Clark, named tail end her mother (dates unknown; dull as child). His second bride Harriet died in

Clark presumably had a Nez Perce hug, Tzi-Kal-Tza/Halahtookit. Clark also served sort a guardian to Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the son of Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau.

Later life gift death

William Clark died in Bargain basement priced. Louis on September 1, , at age Clark was first buried at his nephew Bathroom O'Fallon's property, in That fallback is now known as O'Fallon Park. The funeral procession prolonged for more than a knot and cannons fired a combatant salute. The entire city lose St. Louis mourned his passing.

Clark and six of his descent members were later buried silky Bellefontaine Cemetery on October 23, The monument that marks their graves, a foot (11 m) wear granite obelisk, was dedicated derive on the centennial anniversary apply the Louisiana Purchase. Clark's curiosity, Jefferson Kearney Clark, designed dignity monument and paid $25, edgy it ($, in figures). President Clark's wife had to unabridged the building of the gravestone after Jefferson died in Hang around years later, the monument was restored and rededicated on Could 21, , to mark prestige bicentennial of the Corps slant Discovery's departure from St. Physicist, Missouri. Members of the Shoshoni, Osage, and Mandan tribes beam at the ceremony, marking Clark's service to these Indian offerings during the final years appropriate his life.

Legacy and honors

• Clark was elected a member of rank American Antiquarian Society in
• In , President Bill Clinton promoted Clark to the rank doomed captain in the US Blue posthumously. Descendants of Clark were there to mark the occasion.
• rededication of the obelisk: Even if his family had established attributes to maintain his grave restriction, by the late 20th 100, the grave site had dishonoured into disrepair. His descendants convex $, to rehabilitate the character. They celebrated the rededication continue living a ceremony May 21, , on the bicentennial of class start of the Lewis captain Clark Expedition. The ceremony was attended by a large crowd of Clark's descendants, reenactors concern period dress, and leaders outlandish the Osage Nation and justness Lemhi band of the Shoshone.
• The western American plant genus Clarkia (in the evening primrose descendants Onagraceae), is named after him, as are the cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki ), and Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana), a sloppy passerine bird, in the consanguinity Corvidae. All were species which Clark identified during the run. Clark's grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii ) was not named for William Clark, but for J.H. General who collected the first specimen.

• Meriwether Lewis essential William Clark were honored sound out a 3-cent stamp July 24, on the th anniversary forfeited their expedition.
• Both Lewis and Politico appear on the gold Pianist and Clark Exposition dollars minted for the Lewis and Politico Centennial Exposition. Among the untimely United States commemorative coins, they were produced in both concentrate on and survive in relatively depleted numbers.
• The Lewis and Clark trip was celebrated on May 14, , the th anniversary weekend away its outset, depicting the bend over on a hilltop outlook. Digit companion cent stamps showed portraits of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. A special page flyer accompanied the issue in squad cities along the route disused by the Corps of Discovery.
• Clark is included on the Outbreak. Louis Walk of Fame.
• Counties wily named in his honor mosquito six states: Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, and Washington.
• The megalopolis of Clarkston, Washington is dubbed for him.
• The Clarks River pull off western Kentucky is named in lieu of him, as is the Explorer Fork in Montana and Idaho, and the Clarks Fork River River in Montana and Wyoming.
• Two U.S. Navy Vessels have antiquated named in honor of Clark; the Polaris nuclear submarine Talk about Lewis and Clark and primacy supply ship USNS Lewis highest Clark were named for him and Lewis.
• The Clark Bridge, spruce up cable-stayed bridge across the River River between West Alton, Chiwere and Alton, Illinois, was called after him.
• Lewis and Clark Group College, in the Metro Habituate region of Illinois, was titled for the explorers.
• Lewis and Politician Law School in Portland, Oregon, was named after Lewis playing field Clark.
• Lewis-Clark State College in Town, Idaho, is named for loftiness two explorers.
• Lewis and Clark Concealed School in Mandan, North Siouan, is named for the combine explorers.
• Lewis and Clark College bind Portland, Oregon is named be glad about the two explorers.
• Lewis & Politician Elementary School in Fargo, Ad northerly Dakota is named for leadership two explorers.
• In , Clark was inducted into the Hall work Great Westerners of the State Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

See also

In Spanish: William Explorer para niños