Clara Barton is one of the most-recognized heroes of the American Civil War. Clara Barton Introduction and Early Life Clara Barton was the most famous of many women who worked heroically to provide care and comfort to wounded Civil War soldiers. While she … Clara Barton is considered one of the greatest nurses ever. Clara formed the American Red Cross in 1881. Clara and her four older siblings were raised on a small farm by their parents Sarah Stone and Stephen Barton. Clara Barton Clara Harlowe Barton was born on Christmas day, 1821 in Oxford Massachusetts. Clara Barton resigned from the American Red Cross in 1904 amid an internal power struggle and claims of financial mismanagement. Clara Barton was born in Massachusetts, on December 25, 1821. She was the youngest of her 4 siblings by at the least 10 years of age. She was a nurse on the battlefield, providing care to soldiers. Growing up in a middle class family, Clara was home schooled until the age of 15, then she became the teacher. But first America needed a Red Cross society and Miss Barton needed to Concurrently they began a fresh air camp for inner-city youth on the surrounding property, as a living memorial to Clara Barton’s philosophy of helping others. – Clara Barton (1821-1912), Founder of the American Red Cross. This would later become the basic philosophy behind the work of the American Red Cross. Clara Barton, in full Clarissa Harlowe Barton, was born on December 25, 1821, in North Oxford, Massachusetts, the U.S. In so doing, she and others like her raised the nation's standards for the care of its fallen soldiers (Ross, 35). Her father was Captain Stephen Barton, a member of the local militia and a selectman who inspired his daughter with patriotism and broad humanitarian interest.