At the time of his demise, Wark was the longest lived legislator in the world; he was later surpassed by another Canadian Senator, Georges-Casimir Dessaulles, who died in 1930 at the age of 102.

David Wark's family originated in Scotland, but his forebears emigrated to Ireland in the early 17th century as part of an organized colonization known as the Plantation of Ulster.

[3] He received his elementary education in Derry schools before pursuing more advanced studies under the supervision of the resident Presbyterian clergyman.

[3] In 1825, at the age of 21, Wark emigrated to eastern New Brunswick's Richibucto, Rexton area where he worked as a bookkeeper for local merchants and for six years, taught their children.

[3][4] His long public service career began when he was appointed county magistrate and then, a judge in the Court of Common Pleas.