Why "Benjamin"?

How or why did we name our son Benjamin? A lot of thought when into the significance of naming him after his great-great-great grandfather Ben Clark. Who was Ben Clark?

This is Ben Clark at a young age.

“Ben Clark was born in St. Louis, Mo., February 2, 1842, and there spent his early childhood, going in 1855-6 to Fort Bridger, where he entered the government as post courier. From the very first he was engaged in adventures of a more or less adventuresome nature, and began with his appointment in 1857 with the expedition of Albert Sidney Tohnslon. At the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted in an independent company of cavalry under command of Capt. Charles Clark, which company was subsequently attached to the Sixth Kansas Cavalry. They served during the entire war, mostly engaged in frontier service along the borders of Arkansas. Missouri and the Indian Territory. He acted as guide for General Blunt during Price's raid into Missouri and Kansas (1864). At the close of the war Mr. Clark was employed by Indian traders to take charge of their mule trains and freighting through their country, and in this way was thrown into close relations with them, and became familiar with their language and customs. His advice was highly prized by the traders, who often consulted him when an outbreak was feared.

At the beginning of the Indian wars in 1868, Mr. Clark's services were eagerly sought by General Sully, in command of the government forces, at the time of the outbreak among the Cheyennes, Apaches, Arapahoes, Comanches and Kiowas. He was next attached to General Sheridan's command, as scout and guide, and spent several years with the western division of the army, giving valuable and conscientious assistance. After the Indian troubles had subsided, he was transferred to Camp Supply as post guide and interpreter, and was later sent to Fort Reno, and has since been on the government pay roll. He was several times called upon to guide the army across the plains, and through the country where the Indians were troublesome. In 1874 he was with General Miles during his campaign against the Southern Cheyennes, Kiowas and Comanches, and was next with General Crook during the Sitting Bull outbreak. He was also in the Dull Knife campaign of 1878, and took an important part in the subduing of the northern Cheyennes.1”
1 http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Eokcanad2/bios11.html

“In 1888, Clark welcomed and hosted famous New York artist Frederic Remington who produced several drawings and paintings inspired by his 3 months at Fort Reno. Clark was also called "Chief of Scouts" and led officers and other dignitaries on hunting trips. The Clarks lived in a log house, then moved into the remodeled one-room 1878 school/chapel (Bldg.10, to be restored). In 1908 Clark was placed in temporary charge of the post during the transition from a garrisoned fort to a Quartermaster Remount Station. Clark wrote over 400 pages of "Ethnography and Philology of the Cheyenne", mostly dictionary, which is at the Autry National Center museum in Los Angeles, CA.”
http://www.fortreno.org/history.htm

“To the commanders of the western posts, the services of Mr. Clark have been of inestimable value, and he has in his possession many letters from the various famous men to whom he has been a guide and counselor, as well as many relics which attest the friendship and confidence of the Indians. Through all the troublesome negotiations, and at times critical situations, he has ever been on friendly terms with the red men, who have trusted in his honor and have never been disappointed. He has often gone among them when they were on the point of rebellion, and by his diplomacy and tact has dissuaded them from their course. He is most complimentarily mentioned by General Sheridan in his memoirs, and in General Miles' book.
Mr. Clark's marriage was no less romantic and adventurous than the other incidents in his career. His wife was a full-blooded Cheyenne, and the mother of eleven children…1”

Ben Clark at an older age.

Ben Clark had a son whom he named Ben Clark, that eventually married my great-grandmother. They had a son, who was also named Ben Clark. This Ben married my grandmother, who had a son and daughter. Their daughter is my mother, who married and had me and my sister. However, at this point our sir name changed. I married my lovely wife Vero and when we had our son, we felt it was important for Benjamin to know who and where he came from.

It was said that when the original Ben Clark died in 1914, that all the wagons of people that came to his funeral was 5 miles in length. I wasn’t there, so I can’t attest to the accuracy, but his blood is still flowing through us.

We hope to raise Benjamin in the spirit of Ben Clark; that his abilities will be of value to this world, especially when it comes to promoting peace and trust among men.