Joel Jasper Clark was the son of Joshua Clark, Sr. and Hannah A. (Rude) Clark. He was married first to Sarah Belle "Belle" (Brisbine) Clark (1861-1882) on October 11, 1879 in Yamhill County, Oregon. After his first wife died, Joel married his second wife, Frances A. "Fannie" (Smith) Hughes Clark Stevens Black (1856-1938). Joel and Frances were married on November 18, 1883 in Washington County, Oregon. They had four children together: Beatrice, Archie, Frank Dewitt and Alma B. Clark. Joel was the stepfather of Clara M. Hughes, Frances' daughter from her first marriage to Carl W. Hughes. Although Joel's second wife, Frances, was married after he died, she went back to using the surname "Clark" before she died.

Joel raised horses. After living in Washington County, Oregon with his family, he moved with his first wife to Alder Creek, Kilckitat, Washington. He moved back to Washington County, Oregon where he married his second wife. Joel died in Republic, Stevens, Washington the same year as his sister, Angeline. At the time of his death, Joel was a miner. His sister, Angeline was also living in Republic, Stevens County, Washington at the same time and she was a nurse. He died at age 44 of cerebro spinal meningitis. His death certificate does not list his burial place. It is likely he is either buried near his sister, Angeline Theodosa (Clark) Shull or with his family in Forest View Cemetery in Forest Grove, Washington, Oregon.

The following information is from the Stevens County, Washington death index:

CLARK, J.J.
DEATH DATE: 12-11-1898
AGE: 44
SEX: M
RACE: White
MARITAL STATUS: Married
PLACE OF DEATH: Republic
CAUSE OF DEATH: Cerebro Spinal Meningitis
BIRTHPLACE: Ohio
RESIDENCE: Forest Grove, Oregon
OCCUPATION: Miner
NAME OF FATHER: Joshua CLARK
FATHER'S BIRTHPLACE: Ohio
MAIDEN NAME OF MOTHER: Hannah RUDE
MOTHER'S BIRTHPLACE: Ohio