[11] In addition, he was active as a merchant and in other business ventures; in 1815, he received a license permitting him to sell liquor and wine.
[15][5] Sophia Blanchard's sister Sarah was the wife of William A. Palmer, who served as Governor and United States Senator.
An adherent of the National Republican Party, he served in local offices including Justice of the Peace.
William Wirt carried Vermont as the 1832 presidential candidate of the Anti-Masonic Party.
[31] Benjamin Swan had served as Vermont's Treasurer beginning in 1800 and often ran unopposed or with only token opposition.
[36] That year Clarke had the highest number of votes, but at 47.3% fell short of the majority required by the Vermont Constitution.
[36] In cases where no candidate receives a majority, the Vermont General Assembly votes.
[36] By then the Anti-Masonic Party's popularity was on the wane and the nation was in the midst of the Panic of 1837, and Clarke did not win the legislative election.