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Autobiography Of Edward B. Clark
Our courtship started when I was 16 years of age and she was 14 years old. I asked her to go to a dance with me and she said that she would let me know at recess---we were then attending school in the old Rock School House. Her answer was, "yes" and then we started going together. I took her to parties and walked home with her after meetings. This continued for several years and I had not thought of marriage until one Sunday evening she suggested that we had better "play quits." She said she did not know whether she loved me enough and that she would not marry a man whom she did not love with all her heart. I had not told her how much she meant to me or how much I loved her. As soon as it became known that we had stopped going together, she had plenty of suitors, including some of my best friends who would not go with her while I was taking her out. This went on for several months until one day Aunt Nancy Clark, who was president of the YMMIA of the stake with Wealthy as secretary, told me that a certain young lady up town would like to see me. She cautioned me about sincerity. It was a happy day for me for I had always loved Wealthy. When I met her, she said that if I had anyone else in mind she would not interfere, but that if I did not, she would be glad to be my sweetheart. She was just that until the day she passed away. No woman could be truer to a man than she was to me; she was willing to give her life for me.
We were married on September 25, 1879. For several years we were without prospect of a child. This was a great trial of her life as she was very desirous of bearing children. Wealthy had many trials, sore trials, but through it all she was true to me and to her faith in God, whom she loved and trusted. The desires of her heart were finally granted and she gave birth to five sons and two daughters: Edward Franklin, Rulon W., Wealth who was married to Walter Wright and both were killed in the Farmington Flood on August 13, 1923, Ray and Ralph a pair of twins who died a few hours after birth, Orson Richards and Mary Lucile.
We each believe in all the principles of the Gospel. Plural Marriage was being preached and practiced during the time of our early-married life. When I first mentioned to her about embracing this law she replied, "If I am unable to raise a family, I won't deprive you." She was the first one I ever mentioned the matter to and it was with her knowledge and consent that we entered into it. She went to the Logan Temple with us, and on April 2, 1885 I was married to Alice Randall. There were many trials and persecutions for both men and women during those days. Wealthy was always true to me and to the principle. She never tried to persuade me from my duty to Alice. I was advised in the temple by one who had the right to counsel, that if I was prudent, I would get along all right and that because of the persecution, it would be better to keep my wives in different states. I was counseled by my father and received encouragement from him. All of us have been greatly blessed and I am proud of my family, every one of them. Persons living in polygamy have to make sacrifices, and sacrifices bring forth blessings. I am indeed thankful for the blessings I have received from the Lord.
One little incident on our lives will perhaps reveal something of Wealthy's character. One evening while we were walking along together I put my arm around her waist. She took hold of my hand and brought it around in front of us and lovingly held it. Neither of us said a word, but it was a lasting lesson to me. I never ventured to kiss her till we were engaged then she said; "now you may kiss me."
Some of my friends chided me for going home so early in the evenings after taking my girlfriend home. One of them, who was keeping company with a fine young lady and continued to keep late hours, got the girl in trouble and had to marry her. Another, who said he would not take a girl out who would not let him kiss and fondle her, got married and they lost confidence in each other and separated and remarried to unsuited partners and lived unhappy lives. My counsel to young people is to respect the rights of others and when they get married, to go to the alter of the Lord with clean hands and pure hearts.
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