William Richard Clark was born January 4, 1843 in Georgia to parents Richard and Ann Elizabeth Clark.  Sometime ca. 1855 the Clark Family moved from Georgia to Florida where the settled in Hernando County north of Brooksville, William was only about 10 years old when the family moved here.  While it hasn't been confirmed its believed that Richard had family in Hernando County, perhaps a brother.  By 1860 Richard had built his family a small shanty style home, which at the time was only valued at $30.  Richard sustained his family by raising livestock and in 1860 he is recorded as owning 47 cattle and hogs. In 1861 at the outbreak of the Civil War the young 18 year old William Robert Clark answered the call of duty and enlisted for service with the Confederate States Army.  It was in July of 1861 William enlisted for services at Brooksville, Florida with a local company that was being formed under resident Walter T. Saxon.  After being raised the company was sent to Fernandina [Jacksonville] for training in Infantry tactics, like all infantry regiments.  On August 10, 1861 Capt. Saxon's Company was mustered into service with Company C of the 3rd Florida Infantry Regt. under the command of Col. W.S. Dillworth, the company became known as the Hernando Wild Cats.  This was one of the better fighting company's and were often selected to perform some of the most daring feats, according to one company member. On December 16, 1864, while serving with his company, William was captured and taken prisoner by Union Troops.  After being captured William was imprisoned at the Camp Douglas Prison located in Chicago, Illinois.  Camp Douglas was one of the worse Civil War prisons and is credited with having the highest mortality rate, William was lucky to have lived his imprisonment as 6,000 Confederates died at Camp Douglas.  While imprisoned William witnessed some of the most inhuman realities of the Civil War as prisoner were kept in filthy cramped conditions and had to eat rats to survive since they weren't given rations.  On June 19, 1865, as the war came to an end, William was released from Camp Douglas and he made his way home in Hernando County. After the war William returned to his family in Hernando County and sometime ca. 1866  he was married for the first time.  According to Clark Family records, William's first marriage was to a young woman named Frances Standfield.  After his marriage William continued to live with his parents along with his new wife, Frances.  Sometime ca. 1868 William and Frances had their first child, a baby boy who they named David.  With a new family William soon engaged in raising livestock along with his father, Richard.  By 1869 William had acquired a herd of 24 cattle and 2 horses, in addition his father, Richard, owned 41 head of cattle for a combined total of 65 between the two men.  With an every growing herd of cattle William was able to support his family, which was also every growing as sometime in 1869 he and his wife had a baby girl, Lenora. By 1872 William had earned and saved enough money to purchase property for himself and he acquired 40 acres of property, which is further described as being located in section 33, township 20, range 19 in Citrus County.  Here William increased his livestock holding and acquired several head of hog in addition to his herd of cattle, in 1872 he is recorded as owned 30 head of cattle and 20 hogs.  William also had also made $100 in improvements to his property, likely building corn cribs and barns. By 1877 William was appointed and held a position as trustee of the Shady Grove School, where his children likely attended school.  As a trustee of the Shady Grove School William made decision to better the education of the children in his community such as building needs and keeping the school property fenced as required by the school board.  William Clark served in his position as Shady Grove School trustee until 1883. On August 01, 1883 William purchased a large section of property from the State.  This property, 200 acres in size, was located and adjoined to his previously acquired property and is further described as being located in section 22, township 20, range 19 in Citrus County.  Now with 240 acres William continued to raise livestock and engage in farming to support his family. Sometime ca. 1885 William lost his wife Frances Standfield Clark in death, perhaps during child birth since in September of 1885 she gave birth to Elias Stanfield Clark.  Elias was the last child born to this union.  For a brief time after Frances' death William was married, according to family records.  This second marriage was short lived, however family records do not indicate for what reasons or the woman's full name. Around 1890 William, along with his several small children, relocated to Pasco County where they settled in the small Darby Community.  Here William met and befriended a young 27 year old girl by the name of Sarah Nancy Colding.  Sarah was the daughter of pioneer Darby resident Samuel B. Colding and she had been born in 1863 while William was off fighting in the Civil War.  On September 28, 1891 William Robert Clark and Sarah Nancy Colding were married in a small wedding performed in Amelia or Darby Community.  Nancy already owned property and likely a home in Darby, after her marriage to William its believed that he moved into his new wife's home.  Sarah had purchased her property from the State of Florida on April 26, 1883, this property was described as being located in section 30, township 24, range 18. William once again engaged in farming and soon he and his wife, Sarah, had a baby.  On March 27, 1894 Sarah had her first baby, a little boy but as for William he had been through the experience of having children with his first wife, several times.  William and Sarah named their baby boy Samuel Robert, carrying Sarah's father's name and William's middle name. In July of 1900 the Darby Community would suffer the tragic loss of resident William Clark, this was only 6 years after his marriage to Sarah Colding.  On July 30, 1900, according to family records, William drowned along with his wife brother, Robert "Bob" Colding, in a lake in the Darby Community.  With William's death Sarah was left to raise their four young children by herself.  Only 10 months before his death Sarah had given birth to their son, John C. who was born in September of 1899 and being the youngest. William was interred in the small Colding- Clark Family Cemetery next to his wife, Sarah Nancy.  Until recently it seemed as though the small cemetery had been forgotten and lost, however today efforts are being put forth to preserve this cemetery, which was recently located once again.  To learn more about the Colding- Clark Family Cemetery please click here.  After William's death Sarah continued to live in the Darby Community where her parents and family lived.  In 1909 Sarah Clark was recorded as owning 68 acres in the Darby Community, this property being a portion of that which she acquired in 1883.  Sarah Nancy Colding Clark died on May 29, 1918 and was buried next to her husband. (Photo and Clark Family records courtesy of Paul Sedwick) (Research by Jeff Cannon- Copyright © 2008)