Biography of Francis B. Clare (1816- )
History of Lincoln County, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888) page 518.


Francis B. CLARE, farmer, is the son of Daniel and Jane (HANSFORD) CLARE. The father was born in Virginia in 1791, although his ancestors were from Germany. He was young when his parents died and he was bound to his brother. At the age of eighteen he left for Kentucky, where he learned the tanner’s trade, and at which he worked until coming to Missouri. While in Kentucky he married Miss HANSFORD, a native of that State, born in 1792. They moved to Lincoln County, Mo., in 1826, and there passed the remainder of their days. The father was a farmer and a soldier under HARRISON in the War of 1812. The mother died about 1833, a consistent member of the Baptist Church. The father afterward married Mrs. Frances COX, of Montgomery County. To the first marriage were born nine children, seven sons and two daughters, and by his second marriage was born one child, a son. Mr. CLARE was an old Clay Whig, and he and last wife were members of the Christian Church. He died in 1848. Francis B. was the eldest child born to the first marriage, his birth occurring February 19, 1816, in Somerset, Ky. He attained his education in the country schools, having been reared on a farm, and of course this was limited. At the age of ten he came with his parents to Lincoln County, Mo., and there worked for his father until twenty-one years of age, when he began for himself in agricultural pursuits, making this his life-long work. In 1840 he married Miss Mary GRAY, who was born in Kentucky, June 17, 1824. She lost her parents when about three years of age and was brought to this county and reared by her grandparents. To Mr. and Mrs. CLARE were born ten children, nine now living, five sons and four daughters. In 1838 Mr. CLARE began working on the place where he lives, which now consists of 678 acres in this and Montgomery County. As a farmer, Mr. CLARE has been quite successful, and his children, upon leaving home, all received a start. He has lived in this county for sixty-two years, and is much respected. He was a Whig but is now a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.


File submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Betty Lavy Krieg, 8 Feb. 2001.  Link change or update: 14 Apr 2001

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