Born in Laurel Cove,[1] an unincorporated community in Van Buren County, Tennessee, Clark received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Burritt College in 1871 and a Bachelor of Laws from Cumberland School of Law (then part of Cumberland University, now part of Samford University) in 1873.

He was on the staff of Confederate States General George G. Dibrell in Richmond, Virginia from 1864 to 1865.

[2] Clark was nominated by President Grover Cleveland on December 17, 1894, to a joint seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee vacated by Judge David M. Key.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 21, 1895, and received his commission the same day.

His service terminated on March 15, 1908, due to his death in Chattanooga.