Later Life
Clem graduated from high school in 1870. In 1871, he was elected Commander/captain of the "Washington Rifles" a District of Columbia Army National Guard Militia unit. After he attempted unsuccessfully to enter the United States Military Academy, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed him second lieutenant in the Twenty-fourth United States Infantry in December 1871. Clem was promoted to first lieutenant in 1874.
Clem graduated from artillery school at Fort Monroe in 1875. He was transferred to the Quartermaster department and promoted to captain in 1882. He stayed in the Quartermaster department for the rest of his career. He was promoted to major in 1895 and lieutenant colonel in 1901. He was promoted to the rank of colonel in August 1903. From 1906 to 1911 he was Chief Quartermaster at Fort Sam Houston in Texas.
Clem reached the mandatory retirement age of 64 on August 13, 1915 when he was retired and promoted to the rank of brigadier general. On August 29, 1916 he was promoted on the retired list to the rank of major general.
After retirement he lived in Washington, D.C. for a few years, then returned to San Antonio, Texas.
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