Career
He was a contractor and participated in the re-construction of the Long Bridge over the Potomac River which opened in 1835. And the construction of the High Bridge in New York City which opened in 1848. He was a canal commissioner from 1842 to 1844, and from 1845 to 1847.
He was first elected by the New York State Legislature on February 8, 1842, when the Democratic majority removed the Whig commissioners.
Clark and James Hooker, the two "non-acting" commissioners (the ones which did not receive an annual salary. The "acting" commissioners received $2,000 a year), were legislated out of office on May 6, 1844.
Clark was re-elected to a four-year term in November 1844 to take office on February 3, 1845. He was legislated out of office again by the New York State Constitution of 1846, and left the Canal Commission at the end of 1847.
He was elected New York State Treasurer on the American Party ticket in November 1855, defeating both the Republican and Democratic candidates, and took office on January 1, 1856.
In June 1856, a majority of the Canal Board, including Treasurer Clark, exchanged the workplace of two resident engineers attached to the Canal. On June 23, 1856, Treasurer Clark was suspended by Governor Clark, since the State Constitution provided for the possible suspension of the Treasurer but not the other state officers.
