Clark was born on December 26, 1834, in Indiana; married Sara Robinson; and died on May 22, 1898, in Washington, D.C.

When Clark refused (he claimed that the statehouse had lacked authority to adopt laws about the local elections), Pillsbury sought an arrest warrant, which was issued.

On March 5, 1869, Clark was arrested on the misdemeanor charge of continuing to hold office in spite of the statehouse's recent vote.

Clark arrived at the magistrate's office and, with the backing of business leaders, posted a $3000 recognizance bond and left.

Finally, after the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled against him in an election dispute, in May 1869, he was replaced by Pillsbury in office.