Clark, John

Clark, John, 1766–1832, governor of Georgia (1819–23), b. Edgecomb co., N.C. As a boy he served with his father, Elijah Clarke, in the American Revolution and afterward won distinction as an Indian fighter. He became the hero and leader of the democratic frontiersmen of Georgia in their political struggle with the planters of the coast and the wealthy farmers of the uplands. As governor, he proposed (1821) an amendment to the state constitution to provide for the popular election of governors; it was finally adopted in 1824.

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