Timeline Description: Half of the legendary survey team, William Clark was an explorer, soldier, territory governor, and Indian agent. He was a father, husband, slave owner, and political man who received many honors for his role in the construction of America.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 1, 1770 | William Clark was born The ninth of ten siblings, Clark was born to parents of English and Scottish ancestry. He was born in Caroline County, Virginia to a family of planters who retained modest estates and several slaves. |
| March, 1785 | The Clark family relocated After Clark's older brothers were done fighting in the Revolutionary War, Clark, along with his three sisters, parents, and family slaves, moved to Mulberry Hill. The plantation near Louisville, Kentucky was Clark's home until 1803. |
| 1789 | Nineteen year old Clark joined the Northwest Indian War Clark began to keep a journal of his mission, which soon became a lifelong practice. During his service in the war, Clark was chosen as the captain of the Indiana militia, sent on a mission to talk with the Creek and Cherokee, and served as an acting lieutenant and ensign. |
| 1794 | The Battle of Fallen Timbers William Clark commanded riflemen in this historic battle that brought the Northwest Indian War to an end. The US victory led to Clark being asked to lead a mission to Missouri to settle arguments with some of the natives. |
| July 4, 1796 | Clark resigned Clark resigned from his military position at age 26, due to his waning health. He went back to his family's plantation. |
| 1803 | Meriwether Lewis recruited William Clark At age thirty three, Clark was asked by Lewis to share command of the Corps of Discovery. The two led a mission to explore the Louisiana Purchase territory. The expedition lasted three years and Clark was well known for treating the natives and slaves with respect on the expedition. |
| 1807 | Clark became the general of the Louisiana Territory militia and the US agent for Indian affairs. Clark was chosen by President Jefferson. It was his assignment to create trading posts in territory that was settled by Native Americans. Clark created his headquarters in St. Louis. |
| January 5, 1808 | Clark was married William Clark married Julia Hancock. They went on to have five children over the next ten years. |
| September 18, 1809 | Clark became a member of the Freemasons While there was no public record of his initiation, Clark was issued a certificate by Saint Louis Lodge, No. 111. |
| 1809 | The death of Lewis Clark was often supported in his political conquest by his friend Meriwether Lewis. Upon his death, Clark began drinking, grew lonely, had family problems, and acquired a lot of debt. |
| 1813 | Clark was appointed Missouri territorial governor/ex officio superintendent of Indian affairs President James Madison offered both Clark and Lewis positions because of their exceptional work on the expedition. Clark served as the longest serving ambassador to Native American people. |
| 1814 | Clark led a War of 1812 expedition Fort Shelby, the first post in Wisconsin, was established by the expedition of 1814. During this time, he was also appointed by President Madison to the Missouri territory governor. |
| 1820 | Clark's wife passed away After the death of Julia, Clark remarried. He married Julia's cousin and they had three children together. |
| 1822 | Congress created a new position for Clark President Monroe appointed Clark to be the Superintendent of Indian Affairs. He was known as the most significant man on Native American issues west of the Mississippi. |
| September 1, 1838 | Clark died William Clark died at the age of 68. He was buried in the Bellefontaine cemetery. A thirty five foot marker was erected in his honor.William Clark was known for being a compassionate man, especially in his interactions with the Native Americans. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of a Captain by President Clinton. |