Tennessee, and enjoyed more than a liberal share of common school education. His sports consisted chiefly of fishing and hunting among the hills and valleys in western Tennessee. When quite young he took a lively interest in politics and often spoke of having heard David Crockett make several of his famous speeches before leaving for the Lone Star State of Texas, where he fell yet unconquered at the famed Alamo.

At the age of 20 Dr. Clement commenced the study of medicine and in 1841-42 he attended didactic medical lectures in Louisville Medical College. After completing two years he spent one year, 1842, in the Marine Hospital at Louisville, Kentucky. He then attended clerical lectures under Dross, Drake, Cook and others from whose prestige the science of medicine and surgery created a new era, both in the old and new worlds. He returned from school in 1843 to his old home in Tennessee, but being inspired with a lofty ambition and wider fields of labor in his profession, he very soon decided to turn his face to the Lone Star State, then known as El Dorado.

Arriving in Red River County in the fall of the same year, he became a popular favorite among his people. He was very charitable. His social entertainments were such as to create for himself much pleasure in times of recreation from professional duties. He was married to Miss Rebecca C. Robbins the charming and accomplished daughter of John and Cynthia Robbins, in 1846.