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THE CLARKE’S OF ALBERNI VALLEY

Daniel (Sareault) Clarke, with his mother, Theresa and stepfather George Daniel Clarke, arrived in Victoria in the late 1850’s from Cowlitz Prairie, in the former Territory of Washington, now the State of Washington. The Hudson’s Bay Company moved to Victoria, in 1843, after Washington became a state. The Clarke family’s move to Victoria was probably influenced by this fact. During their residence in the outskirts of Victoria, the family lived at Cedar Hill, a short distance from Mt. Tolmie, (named after the Hudson’s Bay Co. medical officer and agricultural manager). Daniel and the Dr.’s children were playmates and schoolmates. Funds were limited for schooling in those years and Daniel only had the opportunity to obtain the bare rudiments of his education. It is surprising that with such restricted beginnings that he was able to develop the ability to read, write, and speak French fluently. He used proper English, and had the ability to calculate figures. Later in his life he also mastered the principles of surveying.

In 1871, his mother and stepfather decided to accept an offer to go to Alberni and undertake the supervision and care of an extensive farm, owned by the Anderson Company, specifically the Alberni Land Company. This had been a “company” sawmill that operated between 1860 and 1865. Shortly after moving to Alberni, the family decided that Daniel, (aka “Dan”), and his mother should move to the Eastern side of the Somass River, while George Clarke remained working on the West side. They made application to acquire the land there. It covered the entire area of approximately 320 acres at a point on the West side of Hoputchesaht Indian Reserve. It ran the full length of Josephine Street to a point now known as Golden Street, (formerly Marguerite Street, named after the 3rd daughter of Dan and his wife). It followed the river to a point where the Somass River Bridge was located. They laboriously cleared the land and built a small home about seventy feet back from the river, and probably the same distance to what is known as Mary Street (names after Dan’s 2nd daughter). The land was fertile and the crops were good. A farm was in the making and “The Clarke Family” became the first family to settle officially in the Alberni Valley. George Clarke eventually left his position and moved permanently to the family farm.

Later, Surveys became necessary, and the West portion of the area was transferred to the Catholic Church. The land granted to the church in the Alberni Valley was numbered as Lot 9, containing 160 acres. The leftover portion of 160 acres, remained in the hands of the Clarke’s and was numbered as District Lot 10. (more details are available regarding Lots belonging to the townsites and area #1-8).

In later years Dan’s older brother Michael Sareault, came to live in Alberni while his other brother, John Sareault, only visited and preferring to live in Cowlitz Prairie in the State of Washington where his father Elie Sareault had lived.

It should be noted here, that Michael Sareault, also contributed to the development of the Alberni. He was a most enterprising individual. He built with his own hands, and the use of standard French Canadian tools, (an axe, saw and auger), a small water-powered sawmill on the Kitsuksis Creek. He was the inkeeper and builder of the first hotel built in Alberni, the old Alberni Hotel. It was located at the corner of Margaret Street and Victoria Quay. Mike also purchased and cleared much of the quarter section known as Dist. Lot Twelve, later known as Spencer farm. He married Adelaide La Belle, who’s first husband was one of two men who constructed the old Bastion in Nanaimo.

Dan Clarke married an Alberni girl, Laura Fern, on December 14, 1881. A local missionary Priest, Father Eussen preformed the ceremony. Michael Sareault was their best man, Dan’s parents and Laura’s mother were present also.

Additional living quarters were required and a new two-story house was built. After living in that home for thirty years, another larger structure was constructed around 1910. By now, the family was a good size.

Dan and Laura had a total of 14 children, two died in infancy. It is believed that their names were Gertrude and Patrick. Richard Clarke was the oldest living child. Then came Josephine, George,(died age 35), Daniel, (died age 26), John, Marie, Marguarite, William,(killed in WWI, age 18), Laura, Connie, Joseph and the youngest, Michael,(died age 2).

With the clearing of some of the land, and moderate prosperity, Dan was able to take time away from the farm on several Spring seasons. He shipped out on different sealing schooners bound for the Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands. These schooners were of the “bluenose” type, though smaller. They were manned with sailing crews and captains from the Atlantic Provinces. They picked up Natives and some white sealers for the actual killing of the seals. Richard, Dan’s oldest son, as very young man, and before he married, also went “sealing” for several years until, by international agreement, sealing was stopped.

Dan was also a great hunter. He was especially noted for his bear hunting exploits. Dan was not a cruel man and only hunted for the food and the “pelts” for their monetary value that helped support the family. He would much rather be observing the animals in their habitat than killing them. He preferred to obtain his funds by providing guide service to visitors to the Island.

Theresa Clarke, even at an advanced age, was noted for her youthful beauty. She was renowned also for her excellent judgment and was responsible for the very early planting of fruit and ornamental trees on the family farm. The fruit from these trees became the chief local source for early settlers of the 1880’s, until they had time to grow their own. The Clarke’s were renowned for being generous to newcomers and visitors to the area. Everyone was welcomed into their home. Theresa Clarke was a religious woman, devoted to her Church. Over the years, probably every priest known to the West Coast of Vancouver Island, was entertained at their place. Among these guest were Father Brababt of the Hesquiat Mission, Father Verboko, Bishop Orth and Bishop Alexander MacDonald.

Later in life, 1905 – 1907 wealthy American timber men were attracted to the Province to cut trees under a Timber Licensing agreement. Daniel Clarke soon became aware of this opportunity and with the backing of his friend Dr. A. P. Procter, of Vancouver, staked out and licensed some 25 areas in the Nahmint Valley and a smaller area in the headwaters of Great Central Lake. They later sold the claims and became comparatively wealthy men.

As business expanded to the West Coast, the Great Northern Railway, now the Canadian National, was extending west. Work was commencing on Vancouver Island’s Pacific Great Eastern Railway. A real-estate boom was sweeping the Province. Even little Alberni was becoming the scene of speculation. It was at this time that Dan realized that not one of his sons would succeed him as the owner to land and farm the family acres. After some deliberation, and I’m sure, some sorrow, Dan made the decision to sell the farm. He subdivided the land into five acre lots, with the River frontage area in one acre lots. He kept only the 12 to 15 acres that surrounded the homestead.

A new house was built but unfortunately, Dan’s wife Laura, after a brief illness, passed away before ever moving into the place. Daniel’s grief was great. To many he appeared to change rapidly from a comparatively middle aged man to that of an older person in a short period of time. It was then that Dan Clarke presented the Church at Cowlitz Prairie, Washington, with an altar, presumably in memory of the devotion of his Mother, Theresa, and his Grandfather Simon Plamondon.

Eventually the family members moved away. Some of them married and others left for greater opportunities. Dan and his ever faithful daughter Marguerite ( aka Daisy ) stayed on alone. The farm was now too large for them and they acquired a smaller place in the Beaver Creak area. Mr. Homewood purchased the Clarke homestead. Dan and Marguerite remained at the Beaver Creek home until Daniel Clarke’s death in December 1941. The funeral was at the Holy Family Church, and Dan was buried in the family plot, in the Catholic Cemetery, beside his wife Laura and other members of his family.

His friend, W.R.H. Prescott, Bank Manager for the Alberni Royal Bank of Canada, in 1907, has presented in writing, in March 1969, most of the facts in this life story of Daniel Clarke, his family, and the opening of the Alberni Valley.

May he long be remembered in the history of Alberni and Vancouver Island.

For more information contact Diane at: [email protected]

Here are some of my favorite websites:

Abbotsford Genealogical Society (http://www3.telus.net/abbotsfordgengroup/AGG.HTML)
BC Archives (http://www2.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca)
Vancouver Island Family Genealogy (http://members.home.net/vanislegenweb)


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