[1] Clabaugh was nominated by President William McKinley on February 21, 1899, to an Associate Justice seat on the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (now the United States District Court for the District of Columbia) vacated by Associate Justice Louis E. McComas.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 2, 1899, and received his commission the same day.

His service terminated on May 1, 1903, due to his elevation to be Chief Justice of the same court.

[1] Clabaugh received a recess appointment from President Theodore Roosevelt on April 1, 1903, to the Chief Justice seat on the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (now the United States District Court for the District of Columbia) vacated by Chief Justice Edward Franklin Bingham.

His service terminated on March 6, 1914, due to his death in Washington, D.C.[1]