Mabel Edna Hill Clark

Mabel Edna Hill was born in Montfort, Wisconsin, on October 8, 1883. She was the seventh child born to John and Mary Ann Hill and their fourth daughter. She married Ward Clark, the son of Sidney Clark who owned and operated a veterinary hospital. They lived in Canistota, South Dakota, where Mabel worked as a school teacher.

At right, Mabel Hill Clark posing with her five sisters--Mabel is in the back row at the right

Image of Mabel Hill Clark posing with her five sisters--Mabel is the back row at the right

Mabel Hill and Ward Clark had two children. Ward Clark, Jr. was born on July 19, 1912 (dec'd January 24, 1969), and Edna Alice Clark was born November 12, 1917. Edna Hill later married Walter Neil Evans on February 9, 1940, and they had two sons and a daughter. Ward Watson Clark, Jr. married and had four children—two sons and two daughters. Ward Clark Jr. worked as an attorney in South Dakota before retiring to Austin, Texas. In the 1950s, Ward Jr. served as state chairman of the South Dakota Democratic Party, and helped launch the political career of George McGovern by recruiting him into state party leadership (per New York Times, 6/25/72). The younger Ward Clark was also married to a Mabel -- Mabel Murphy Clark-- who was born September 7, 1910 in South Dakota and passed away on June 7, 2007 in Austin, Texas. She was the daughter of Stephen W. Murphy and Eunice Needham Murphy.

Image of Mabel Hill Clark in her classroom at Hopewell School, 1955-56

Left: Mabel Hill Clark in her classroom at Hopewell School, 1955-56

Image of Mabel with Ward Jr. and Edna

Mabel with Ward Jr. and Edna

Image of Ward Clark, Jr. and Edna

Ward Clark, Jr. and Edna

Image of Bess Hill, John Hill, and Mabel Hill Clark with Ward Jr. and Edna; Taken just after the death of Mabel's husband Ward Clark

Bess Hill, John Hill, and Mabel Hill Clark with Ward Jr. and Edna; Taken just after the death of Mabel's husband Ward Clark

Mabel Hill Clark died in Norfolk, Virginia, on July 22, 1960, and was buried in Canistota, South Dakota. A memorial service was held in Montfort, Wisconsin, before her body was taken to South Dakota for a second memorial service and burial.

Image of Mabel Hill Clark with her niece, Lucille Washburn

Mabel Hill Clark with her niece, Lucille Washburn

Image of Max Washburn and Ward Clark, Jr

Max Washburn and Ward Clark, Jr.

Image of Hill Sisters Mabel and Bess

Hill Sisters Mabel and Bess

Image of Mabel Hill Clark and Lillian Hill Washburn

Mabel Hill Clark and Lillian Hill Washburn