John Blades Clarke

John B. Clarke was born in Brooksville, Kentucky, on April 14, 1833.[1] He was the son of John and Mary (Blades) Clarke.[1]

Clarke studied under Harvey King in the common schools of Augusta, Kentucky, and at Augusta (Kentucky) College.[1][2] In 1851, he left school to return to his father's farm.[1] During the winters of 1851 and 1852, he taught at a local school.[2] For three years, he studied law under Judge Joseph Doniphan of Augusta.[1] After examination by two local judges, he was admitted to the bar on April 20, 1854.[1]

Clarke married Cordelia A. Robertson, and the couple had six children – Bion Clarke, William R. Clarke, John B. Clarke, Cordelia Clark, Harry Clarke, and Clarence Clarke.[3] After the marriage, the family moved to Rockport, Indiana, where Clarke commenced practice in January 1885.[1] By September 1855, Clarke's wife had become ill, and the family returned Brooksville on December 10, 1855, where Clarke continued the practice of law.[1]

Clarke was elected prosecuting attorney of Bracken County in 1858, serving until 1862.[2] In 1867, he was elected to the Kentucky Senate, serving a single, four-year term.[1] He was elected as a Democrat to represent the Tenth District in the U.S. House of Representatives.[1] He served in the Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1879).[2] He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1878.[2]

After Clarke's service in the House, he resumed the practice of law.[2] He died in Brooksville on May 23, 1911, and was interred in Mount Zion Cemetery.[2]