John Morris Clark was born in Clark County in December 1897. His parents were Robert H. and Ella Victoria Hutchinson Clark. They lived in Pekin Ward 4, Tazewell in the 1900 census; in Marshall, Clark in 1910. The parents split before the 1910 census. I found nothing for John in the 1920 census, but his mother and brother Robert L. were living in Clark County. In 1930 John and his mother were living in Springfield. He worked for a biscuit company (Nabisco?), beginning in 1918, according to a Clark County newspaper. The Social Security Death Index has a John Clark born 9 Dec. 1897 who died in Springfield in June 1978.

I am coming to Springfield for a meeting in the middle of October, and think I will have a few hours on Friday afternoon to do a little research. I am hoping to find an obituary for John. I know he was married and divorced and had a child, but no names or dates. I'm searching on line for location of a newspaper for June 1978 that might be helpful.

Can anyone suggest which Springfield newspaper to look at and where to find microfilm or other copies to look at? Or any other places to look for information about John Morris Clark (in case I find the obit quickly and have a little extra time).

I know this is not the best way to research these things, but I hate to miss an opportunity. After all, South Carolina is a long way from Illinois, and I don't get there much any more.

Any advice will be much appreciated. Thanks.