Robert Clark (US politician)
| Robert Clark | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 8th district |
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In office March 4, 1819 – March 3, 1821 |
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| Preceded by | Dorrance Kirtland |
| Succeeded by | Richard McCarty |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 12, 1777 Washington County, New York |
| Died | October 1, 1837 (aged 60) Monroe, Michigan |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Catherine Reid |
| Profession | politician |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
Robert Clark (June 12, 1777 – October 1, 1837) was a physician and politician. He served in the New York State Assembly and one term as United States Representative from New York. With his family, he moved to Monroe, Michigan in 1823, joining the migration west. He did not run again for office.
Robert Clark was born in Washington County, New York, six months after his family emigrated from the Scottish Lowlands. His father died when he was age thirteen. He was tutored privately and then studied medicine in the office of his older brother, Dr. Thomas Clark. He commenced a medical practice in Galway, New York in 1799.
That same year, at age 22 Clark married Catherine Reid, who was barely 15. Although his mother-in-law offered to help establish them in Lachine, Quebec, Canada, his wife's former home, Clark refused to settle in the dominions of the British Crown.
Clark and Catherine remained in Galway; he built a house where their first two children were born. After the house burned to the ground, Clark and his family lived in temporary shelter provided by neighbors, where his third child was born. They soon afterward moved to Stamford, New York, and later settled near Delhi, where he continued the practice of his profession.
Before the War of 1812, Clark entered politics. He was elected as a member of the New York State Assembly (Delaware Co.) in 1812 and 1814–1815. A few years later, he was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 16th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1819, to March 3, 1821. He was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1821.
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