Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 4. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 52-53. WILLIAM B. CLARKE. With the history of progress in southwestern Oregon the name of William B. Clarke is closely associated and in his passing Douglas county has lost one of its representative citizens. He was one of the early sawmill men of this part of the state and his industry and enterprise were factors in general development and improvement as well as in individual success. He was a native of Fredonia, New York, born January 22, 1836, and for some time resided in Pennsylvania ere coming to Oregon in 1865. On reaching this state he settled first in Douglas county and soon began work in the sawmill on the Calapoola, owned by Messrs. Butler, Mahoney and Barr. He was there employed for year, after which, in company with John Colvin he rented the old Sutherlin mill on the Calapoola, which they operated for a year. In 1867 Mr. Clarke and Henderson Rone built a mill farther up the stream, which was known as the Clarke & Rone mill. This they conducted for two years, after which Mr. Clarke sold his interest and came to Coles Valley. Here he began work in the Harvey Dixon mill and afterward became a partner of Mr. Dixon, in which connection the mill was operated for about three years, at the end of which time Mr. Clakre bought his partner's interest and carried on the mill independently for about three years. He then removed the plant to Sugar Pine, where he engaged in the manufacture of lumber for a short time, after which he disposed of the mill and returned to Coles Valley. he then settled on the farm where his wife had continued to reside while he was in Sugar Pine. On this place he built a shingle mill, which he operated for three or four years, and in 1878 he went to Hubbard Creek, where, in company with J. L. Baker, he bought out his brother-in-law, Robert Stephens, who had begun the erection of a sawmill there. Mr. Clarke and Mr. Baker completed the mill and continued its operation until within two years of Mr. Clarke's death. Soon after his arrival at Hubbard Creek, he secured the establishment of the Millwood postoffice at his place and did everything possible to further its interests until a daily mail service was secured and his office was made an international money order office. He continued to act as postmaster for many years, not that he had any desire to fill the position but because he recognized that the postoffice would work for the betterment of the neighborhood. He was of that class which included General Lane, Creed Flood, George Haynes, Thomas Sheridan, Joe S. Fitzhugh, Aaron Rose, Ahser Marks, Same Marks and others -- pioneers who preceded him to the great beyond and all of whom were his friends. He was as popular in Roseburg when among its citizens as he was at home. He had attractive qualities, which made him well liked wherever he was known. He possessed a jovial, sunny disposition, was big hearted, open handed and was ever a true and loyal friend. It was ever a pleasure to know him and be with him, for he shed around him much of the sunshine of life. In politics he was a staunch republican and could have had any office within the gift of his party. In fact, his friends and neighbors frequently urged him to accept nomination for political positions but he always declined. He served, however, at one time as chairman of the republican county convention but the wide diversity of opinion and the too numerous candidates seeking office disgusted him with party management and he preferred only to exercise his right of franchise in support of the measures in which he believed. On the 23d of June, 1867, Mr. Clarke was united in marriage to Miss Cassie Stephens, a daughter of Eb Stephens, at one time county clerk of Douglas county, and the sister of R. L. Stephens, a prominent business man of Roseburg, and of George W. Stephens and J. A. Stephens, of Oakland, Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke became the parents of seven daughters and three sons: Ida, deceased; Jennie, the wife of Fred Norman, of Millwood; Anna B., at home, who is a teacher in the public schools; Martha, who resides in Portland; Kittie, who married Francis Smith of Pasadena, California; Josephine, the wife of Sidney Smith, of Riverside county, California; Margaret, who became the wife of Fred Shelton, of Douglas county; Ben Morton, deceased; Rush R., who operates the mill at Millwood; and Seth S., who makes his home in South Bend, Washington. Mrs. Clarke still resides in Millwood and owns the old mill property, in addition to extensive farm and timber interests. She is a member of the Baptist church and a lady of many good traits of heart and mind. The death of Mr. Clarke occurred on the 2d of August, 1909, following a second stroke of paralysis. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years but, although he allowed his membership to lapse, he never ceased to exemplify in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of man and which fosters kindliness, charity and individual aid. Throughout his life he was a careful, systematic business man, a progressive citizen and a reliable friend, and his many sterling traits won him the respect, honor and love of those with whom he came in contact. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project Jenny Tenlen. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.