Henry Stephen Clarke
c1833 Born in Wolverhampton[1], the son of Thomas Clarke and Charlotte Wedge Parkes, his wife
Henry Clarke became a skilled wheelwright and blacksmith
1855 joined the 38th Foot Regiment, at the outbreak of the Crimean War. He was wounded in the attack on Redan, and subsequently discharged[2]. On making his way home via Paris, he saw his first "hobby horses". He realised that he could easily make the type of wooden wheel used on those early bicycles, so he made contact with some of the French manufacturers who were interested in his skills. When he returned to Wolverhampton he set up the 'Temple Street Wheel Company' to make all kinds of wooden wheels for export to France, including some for velocipedes.
1856 Married Harriet Powney[3]
1857 Birth of sons Thomas Clarke and George E. Clarke
1861 Birth of daughter Sarah A.
1861 Living at Baptist End Lane, Dudley: Henry S. Clark (age 28 born Pattingham), a Chelsea Pensioner and Wheelwright. With his wife Harriet Clark (age 25 born Wombourne, Staffs.) and their children Thomas Clark (age 4 born Wombourne, Staffs.), George E. Clark (age 4 born Wombourne, Staffs.) and Sarah A. Clark (age 3 born Netherton, Worcs.).[4]
1863 Birth of son Henry Clarke
1865 Birth of daughter Elizabeth
1867 Birth of son William Clarke
He helped his friend Daniel Rudge to build racing cycles at 19 Church Street, Wolverhampton, which included an improved form of wheel bearing.[5].
1869 Birth of daughter Jane
1871 Birth of daughter Fanny
1875 Birth of son John Clarke
1878 Birth of daughter Harriet
1879 Bankrupt. '...Liquidation by Arrangement or Composition with Creditors, instituted by Henry Stephen Clarke, of No. 2, Court, Darlington-street, Wolverhampton, in the county of Stafford, Bicycle Manufacturer....'[6]
1880 Birth of daughter Emma
1881 Living at Court 2, Darlington Road, Wolverhampton: Henry Stephen Clarke (age 48 born Pattingham, Staffs.),Bicycle Maker Employs 3 Men and 1 Boy. With his wife Harriet Clarke (age 45 born Wombourne, Staffs.) and their children Henry Clarke (age 18 born Wolverhampton), a Bicycle Maker; Elizabeth Clarke (age 16 born Wolverhampton); William Clarke (age 14 born Wolverhampton); Jane Clarke (age 12 born Wolverhampton); Fanny Clarke (age 10 born Wolverhampton); John Clarke (age 4 born Wolverhampton); Harriet Clarke (age 3 born Wolverhampton); and Emma Clarke (age 11 months born Wolverhampton).[7]
1888 Died in Wolverhampton[8]
See Also
Sources of Information
- Henry Clarke and Cogent [3]