In the early 1850s, Orrin B. Clark moved from Indiana to Iroquois County,
Illinois, with his parents John and Sarah Clark.  He was in his early 20s at the time.

Within a few years, he became acquainted with Sylvia Wadley, who lived in nearby
Aroma Township in Kankakee County.  On January 1st, 1856, 18-year-old Sylvia and
27-year-old Orrin were married.

  In 1858, Orrin and Sylvia had a daughter; they named her Lydia.  That same year, Orrin's father, John Clark, died; after the death, Orrin's mother Sallie came to live with them.

In 1859, Orrin and Sylvia had another daughter, Alice.  In the winter of 1860-61, baby
Alice died.  A few months later, on April 22, 1861, Sylvia gave birth to Orrin's last child,
Major Clark.  Twelve days after the baby's birth, Orrin B. Clark died.  He was 32 years old.

The settlement of Orrin Clark's estate prompted a disagreement
between his mother Sallie and his wife Sylvia that resulted in a lawsuit.