Before and After Lewis - The Life of William Clark
While writing yesterday’s article about Andrew Ellicott, I realized that I had not yet covered William Clark.
One half of the famous team of Lewis and Clark, William’s efforts in expanding the young nation westward are monumental.
Today, we will look at Clark's life before and after his famous journey.
William Clark
William Clark was still a boy when the Revolutionary War broke out.
Although he did not serve in the conflict, several of his older brothers did. The most notable of these was George Rogers Clark who was one of the most important leaders in the Revolution’s Western Theater.
After the war, as William came of age, George taught him many of the survival skills which would be indispensable during Clark’s future cross-country Expedition.
The Northwest Indian War
At just 19, William Clark joined a Kentucky militia.
He would soon be thrust into the Northwest Indian War which was fought between the United States and an alliance of several Native American nations.
By the war’s end, Clark had joined Anthony Wayne’s Legion of the United States and played a major role in the Battle of the Fallen Timbers which concluded the hostilities.
Lewis and Clark
Although still in his mid-20’s, Clark decided to retire from the Army and return to his plantation.
He did not stay on the farm for long, as he was quickly recruited by Meriwether Lewis to be a co-leader of the Corps of Discovery.
The Corps was the team that took the now-famous Lewis and Clark Expedition and explored the Louisiana Territory all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Governor of the Missouri Territory
After the two year Expedition, William Clark was seen as an expert in Native American diplomacy as well as surviving on the frontier.
By 1813 President Madison appointed Clark as Governor of the Missouri Territory.
He spent seven years as Governor before the territory became a State and he was replaced during the general election.
Superintendent of Indian Affairs
In 1822 James Monroe selected Clark to serve as Superintendent of Indian Affairs.
William spent the final sixteen years of his life in this position and served through the Adams, Jackson and Van Buren Administrations.
In hindsight, his time in this position can be viewed as a mixed bag.
Clark obviously cared for the Native Americans and often did his best to help them.
However, he was in charge of Indian Affairs during the times of the Indian Removal act and, as such, supervised the confiscation of millions of acres of land from the Native American nations.
Want to read about more FOUNDERS ON THE FRONTIER?
Great! Check out these articles:
Thomas Worthington Fathers Ohio
Daniel Brodhead and the Coshocton Expedition
Johnny Appleseed as an American Founder
William Clark has had several biographies about his life.
‘The Shaping of the West’ is the most recent review of Clark’s life and has the most modern understanding.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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