William Clark was an American explorer who undertook an epic voyage to the Pacific Northwest with Meriwether Lewis. The Lewis and Clark Expedition, named for these renowned explorers, was launched after the Louisiana Purchase with the goal of claiming the Pacific Northwest for the United States before any other European power. Clark had already served in the militia before being chosen for the trip. He grew up in a large tobacco plantation family in Virginia, where he had an exciting childhood filled with fox hunts, cockfights, and shooting contests. William was too young to fight in the American Revolutionary War when his five elder brothers did. As he grew older, he joined a volunteer militia group led by Major John Hardin to fight in the Ohio frontier’s American Indian battles. He later joined the United States Army and led a company of riflemen at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, where he played a key part in the United States’ victorious victory that ended the Northwest Indian War. Due to his failing health, he had to leave the service. After a few years, he was persuaded to accompany Meriwether Lewis on an expedition to the Pacific Northwest by his buddy. The mission, which took several months to accomplish, was a great success, elevating both Clark and Lewis to legendary explorer status.
Childhood and Adolescence
William Clark was born in Virginia to John and Ann Rogers Clark on August 1, 1770. He was the ninth of 10 children in their family. He did not attend any formal schools and was mostly tutored at home. His family used to go to events like fox hunts, cockfights, and shooting contests when he was a kid.
His five older brothers fought in the American Revolutionary War, with Jonathan serving as a colonel and George rising to the rank of general. In 1785, the two brothers arranged for their parents and siblings to go to Kentucky following the war.
Career of William Clark
In 1789, William Clark, at 19 years old, joined a volunteer militia brigade led by Major John Hardin. The governor of the Northwest Territory, General Arthur St. Clair, commissioned him as a captain in the Clarksville, Indiana militia the next year.
In 1791, he was an ensign and acting lieutenant under the command of generals Charles Scott and James Wilkinson. In 1792, he volunteered in the United States Legion and was commissioned as a lieutenant of infantry under General Anthony Wayne by President George Washington.
Clark led the Chosen Rifle Company, which fought at the Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794) and drove the enemy back, achieving a stunning victory for the United States. At 1795, he was assigned to a mission in New Madrid, Missouri. His health began to fail, and in July 1796, he resigned from his post and returned home to administer his parents’ property.
During his time in the service, he became friends with Meriwether Lewis, a fellow soldier with whom he corresponded regularly in the years after his retirement. He got a letter from Lewis in 1803 that would change the direction of his life forever.
The United States Army had just founded the Corps of Discovery with the objective of exploring the Louisiana Purchase areas and claiming them for the United States before European powers did. The Corps of Discovery was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, who appointed Lewis as its captain, who then persuaded Clark to join him.
From May 1804 to September 1806, the dangerous voyage lasted more than two years. On the mission, Clark and Lewis were granted equal authority. He also brought York, his slave, who proved to be a valuable companion on the voyage. Clark, a skillful hunter, oversaw the expedition’s supplies and conducted the hunting missions. He also produced the maps that will be needed for the expedition.
The voyage was a success: the Corps arrived in the Pacific, established their presence in order to establish a legal claim to the territory, and established diplomatic contacts and commerce with at least two dozen indigenous peoples. In 1806 the explorers came home to a victorious reception. For his services, William Clark was duly rewarded, and Thomas Jefferson named him brigadier general of militia for the Louisiana Territory in 1807.
During the War of 1812, he was a highly active participant. Clark was named governor of the Missouri Territory by President Madison in 1813 after leading various campaigns. In 1816 and 1820, he was reappointed to the job. President James Monroe appointed him Superintendent of Indian Affairs in 1822, a position he held until his death. Clark was the most powerful guy on Native American issues west of the Mississippi in this position. In 1824-1825, he was also the surveyor general of Illinois, Missouri, and the Territory of Arkansaw.
Expeditions of Importance
President Thomas Jefferson commissioned the Lewis and Clark Expedition immediately after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. William Clark was one of the expedition’s leaders. The mission, which took more than two years to accomplish, was a remarkable success, cementing Clark and Lewis as prominent names in American exploration history.
Achievements & Awards
In 1814, Clark was elected to the American Antiquarian Society.
Personal History and Legacy
In 1808, William Clark married Julia Hancock, a young woman many years his younger. They were the parents of five children. In honor of his friend, he called his firstborn son Meriwether Lewis Clark, Sr. Julia passed away in 1820. Harriet Kennerly Radford, her cousin, was his next wife. This union resulted in the birth of three additional children. In 1831, Harriet died, making him a widower for the second time.
He died on September 1, 1838, at the age of 68, after spending the last months of his life with his eldest son.
He is commemorated by the Clarks River in western Kentucky, the Clark Fork in Montana and Idaho, and the Clarks Fork Yellowstone River in Montana and Wyoming.
Estimated Net Worth
William is one of the wealthiest explorers and one of the most well-known. William Clark’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million, according to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.