Clara Benoit, eldest of thirteen children of Mary Ann Dondanville and Lester Benoit, was born in Serena Township, LaSalle County, Illinois February 14, 1864. Her parents moved to Webster County, Iowa in 1874 when Clara was ten.

Clara was raised on a farm in Jackson Township. On November 2, 1893 she was married to Edward J. Hood in St. John The Baptist Church in Somonauk, Illinois. It is not known why the wedding took place in Illinois rather than in their parish church in Clare, Iowa. Clara Benoit had four uncles and several adult cousins in Illinois and this could possibly have been the reason. Edward Hood was the third of twelve children of Thomas T. Hood and Bridget Molloy who had come to Owen Falls, Ontario from County Mayo, Ireland. Edward was born in Owen Falls August 26, 1865. His family moved from Canada to Webster County, Iowa in 1871.

Following their marriage Clara and Edward established their home in Clare, where Edward, who was a pharmacist, operated a drug store. Three children were born to their marriage: a daughter, Helena Irene, on June 2, 1895; a son Fayette LaVerne, March 2, 1897; and a daughter, Gladys Regina, on July 7, 1900. Clara died in Clare in 1940 and Edward in 1948. Both are buried in St. James Cemetery.

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