Clever received his education at the University of Cologne and the University of Bonn.
He immigrated to the United States in 1848, had settled in Santa Fe by 1850, and engaged in trade from 1855 to 1862. He and Bernard Seligman became partners and opened a store which operated under the name of Seligman and Clever. This store was located on the southeastern corner of the Santa Fe Plaza.
He held many prominent positions during his life. He was appointed United States Marshal for New Mexico in 1857 and became one of the owners of the Santa Fe Weekly Gazette (a bilingual newspaper) in 1858.
He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1861. He practiced his legal profession until his death in 1874. In 1861, he was re-appointed United States Marshal as well as census enumerator. The following year he served as adjutant on the staff of General Edward R. S. Canby at the Battle of Valverde.
He served as attorney general from 1862-1867. He was elected as a Democratic Delegate to the Fortieth Congress and served from September 2, 1867 (date of election) to February 20, 1869 when he was succeeded by J. Francisco Chaves who had contested the election. In 1869, he was appointed one of the incorporators of the Centennial Exposition and served as a commissioner to revise and codify the laws of New Mexico.
He died in Tome, Valencia County, New Mexico on July 8, 1874. He was described as a man of great strength of character who had as many friends as enemies.
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