Residence: 1842 Milton, Rock Co., Wisconsin

Martha Cordelia Buten, the sister of 2nd Lt. Fred C. Buten and the daughter of Fred Buten, apparently was born in Alfred, NY and moved with the family after 1842 to Milton, WI. Around the time the Buten family lived in Milton, Wisconsin, George R. Clarke, the brother of Benjamin F. Clarke, was principle of the Milton Academy. In any event, Martha Cordelia Buten met and on
December 25, 1856 married Benjamin F. Clarke of Walworth, WI. They subsequently moved to Hyde Park, Illinois and had three children, including Jennie May Clarke who was born November 7, 1859. Martha and Benjamin were divorced. When Martha Buten died she was buried in the Clarke family plot in Walworth, Wisconsin.

Martha Cordelia (Buten) Clarke 1837-1916
"The Journal-Telephone", Milton Junction, Wisconsin, Thursday, Oct. 12, 1916, p 1.
Martha C. Buten, daughter of Frederick and Mary Ann Edwards Buten, was born March 8, 1837 at Genesee, N. Y.. and died in Walworth, Wis., at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Jennie Larkin, October 5, 1916, aged 79 years and 8 months. She was the second in a family of nine children, three own brothers, and five half brothers and sisters. One brother, Francis, was killed in the battle of Gettysburg.
"Aunt Mattie", as she was familiarly called, came west with her parents about sixty years ago and Milton Junction has been her home most of the time since. She was married to B. Frank Clarke Dec. 25, 1857, and to this union were born , Stella, Jennie and Lulu, the eldest and youngest of which preceded her to the home beyond.
Mrs. Clarke was a firm believer in God and his love and mercy, and a faithful worker in his cause. She was converted and baptized at Milton in early life and upon coming to make her home with C. C. Clarke at Milton Junction, she became a member of the Milton Junction S. D. B. church. Later her membership was transferred to Walworth.
She has been in failing health for the past two years and death came as a welcome guest to relieve her of her sufferings. She leaves to mourn her departure, besides her daughter, Mrs. Jennie Larkin, who has been so faithful in caring for her in her last days, one brother, F. Clinton Buten, one half brother, Geo. W. Buten, four grandchildren and one great grandchild and a large circle of friends.
The funeral services were held from the home Saturday afternoon, conducted by Pastor Loofbourrow and interment was in the Walworth cemetery.
Mrs. G. W. Buten and daughter, Mrs. Linda Coon, and family of Wauconda, Ill., were among those who attended the funeral.

of Los Angeles, California in 1901.

Benjamin Franklin Clarke was born in 1835 to Henry S. Clarke and Lucinda Coon Clarke before they moved to Wisconsin. As an adult, Benjamin F. Clarke served on the Walworth Board of supervisors from 1853 to 1855. In 1856 he married Martha Cordelia Buten, the daughter of Frederick Buten of Milton,Wisconsin.

Benjamin and Martha resided in Hyde Park, Illinois and had 3 daughters; Lulu; Jennie May (born November 7, 1859); and Stella. At some point in this marriage, Mr. Clarke became estranged from his family. Family tradition is that he divorced or abandoned his wife and left for San Francisco. Little is known about him after this point.