History of Madison Co., IA
C.A. Clark was born Dec. 11, 1888 in Polk Co., IA, the son of Albert and Ida McKinney Clark. He grew up and attended school in Runnels, then attended Highland Park College in Des Moines. He came to Madison County in 1910 working as a farm hand for Wiley Crawford of Patterson. Edna Ann Doan, the youngest of 6 children born to William and Arminty DeBord arrived May 13, 1890. She attended school in Patterson, the State Normal in Shenandoah. She taught school several places in Madison County. She recalled teaching in the 2-story brick building in Patterson in 1911 and watching the cyclone demolish the building at her parents' home 2 miles east. Edna enjoyed telling about going with her father as a small child when he lectured on his imprisonment at Andersonville prison for 18 months during the Civil War, thus her lifelong study of Civil War. Enda and Lon were married Feb. 23, 1913 in Winterset by the Rev. L.F. Davis. They farmed east of Patterson for 4 years then moved to Lincoln Township where they resided until they retired in Winterset. They were the parents of one daughter, Catherine. Lon and Edna were the King and Queen for Madison County Covered Bridge Days in 1972.
During their residency in Lincoln Township, they were active members of Ord Christian Union Church. A lot of memories center around that church. In those days it was the center of nearly all social activities. Upon retiring in Winterset, Lon and Edna were members of the First Christian Church.
They observed their Golden Wedding at Donna, Texas where they were spending the winter. The 60th anniversary was held at First Christian Church in Winterset. Their 62, 63, 64, and 65th anniversary parties were at Madison Manor North where they resided. Lon passed away Nov. 19, 1978 and Edna Oct 6, 1979. Both are buried in the Winterset Cemetery. By Catherine Clark Kilpatrick.