Isaac Cass Clark

Surnames: CLARK, DEAN, ATKINS, STILLWELL, GILSTRAP

Isaac Cass CLARK, b January 29, 1872 in Kosciusko, Attala County, Mississippi, d May 1, 1966 - was the eldest son of George Washington and Ellisay (DEAN) CLARK, JR., who had married January 29, 1871. When Isaac (called IKE) was nine years old , his parents brought their family from Mississippi to Baileyville, Milam County, Texas.

Ike attended County Line School near Baileyville, and later enrolled in Baylor University, Waco - earning a Teacher's Certificate, and following the teaching profession for nine years.

On October 28, 1900, Ike was married to Sally Hart ATKINS, b January 14, 1875 near present day Rosebud, Falls County, Texas - a daughter of William Yancy and Kate (STILLWELL) ATKINS. The ATKINS and STILLWELL families were early settlers of the area.

Ike and Sally were the parents of four children:
Josie Kate CLARK, b August 6, 1902, is the only surviving child in 1985 - married on July 20, 1924 to H.C GILSTRAP (called "Bully"), and they reside on a farm near Rosebud.

Ruben Atkins CLARK, b March 22, 1904, d April 3, 1973 and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery at Rosebud.

William Yancy CLARK, b January 4, 1906, d December 21, 1946 and buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Rosebud.

Florence Clark, b September 25, 1909, d April 3, 1985 and buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Rosebud.

The Ike CLARKS lived in various places - primarily in the area around Pleasant Grove, Falls County. It is believed that Ike also taught school in this community. In 1907, he purchased land and built a house three miles southeast of Rosebud, on what is now FM413. Ike acquired more land, and grew cotton and grain, and raised cattle for market. In the early 1920's Ike and his father purchased the Farmer Gin, thus enabling him to gin his cotton at a reduced cost. In 1930, he and his brother , Jim, became the Willys Knight car agents, and their business was located at the corner of Main and Second Street in Rosebud, The building and its contents were destroyed by fire in 1933.

In the 1930's Sally decided to "help out" the family by raising chickens. She had hundreds, and sold eggs by the crates. During World War II, she made fancy garters of ribbons and lace that sold by the dozens, and one war year, she canned 2,500 cans of food.

As a couple, Sally and Ike were inseparable, and Sally died five days after her husband on May 6, 1966. They were buried side-by-side in Woodlawn Cemetery in Rosebud.

Typed by: Phyllis Seeley

Some biographies from "Families of Falls County", compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission.
Permission granted to Theresa Carhart by the Falls County Historical Commission, for use on this page.