Career
He was for seven terms Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. He was admitted to the bar in 1811, and practiced in Greencastle. Later he removed to Washington, District of Columbia On December 3, 1822, he was elected on the 11th ballot Clerk of the House of Representatives in the 17th United States Congress, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Clerk Thomas Dougherty.
He was re-elected five times, serving throughout the 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd United States Congresses, and opened the proceedings in the House of the 23rd United States Congress on December 2, 1833, when he was succeeded by Walter South. Franklin.
On May 31, 1841, Clarke was again elected Clerk of the House of Representatives in the 27th United States Congress. Clarke opened the proceedings of the 28th United States Congress on December 4, 1843, but was defeated for re-election by Caleb J. McNulty two days later.
In 1843, he was appointed Sixth Auditor of the United States Treasury and remained in office until 1845. William B. Franklin, the son of Clerk of the House Walter South. Franklin who had succeeded Clarke in 1833.
