Dougan Clark was born in Randolph County, North Carolina on October 3, 1783. His father, William Clark, became a Quaker after his service in the American Revolution, and it appears that Dougan shared his father's faith. Dougan's brother John applied for a veteran's pension on their father's behalf after William's death, which was rejected. Dougan Clark died in Guilford County, North Carolina on August 23, 1855.