WILLIAM CLARK
1770 - 1838

Together with Meriwether Lewis, William saw quite a bit of the country. In fact, William was an explorer. Their famous expedition to the Pacific Northwest took place 1804 until 1806.

WILLIAM CLARK'S FAMILY
William's father was John Clark. His mother was Ann Rogers. John and Ann had 10 children. William was number nine. William's brother George became famous during the American Revolution.

In 1808, William married 16 year old Julia Hancock and produced five kids. The eldest son was named Meriwether Lewis Clark. Julia died in 1821 and William married the widow Harriet Kennerly Radford.

WILLIAM CLARK'S CAREER
In 1789, William joined the militia, a little bit later the army. George Washington made him lieutenant. In 1794, William fought in the Battle of Fallen Timbers. William went back home in 1796 to check on his parents. In 1803, old buddy Meriwether asked William to join an adventure. And off they went on May 14, 1804.

WILLIAM CLARK
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THE EXPEDITION
William had a blast. In fact, he might or might not have fathered Daytime Smoker, son of the daughter of Chief Red Grizzly Bear. Here you can find out more about the burial sites of the expedition members.


In 1807, Thomas Jefferson made William brigadier general and federal Indian agent. In 1812, James Monroe made him governor of Missouri.


CONTROVERSY
William was criticized by quite a number of contemporaries. They complained that he was too friendly with Native Americans. On the other hand, there were reports that many Native Americans experienced severe losses by William's orders. And then there's also the account of William's slave York...