Clay was born in
Powder Springs, Georgia, and graduated from
Hiwassee College in
Tennessee in 1875. He was admitted to the
bar in 1877 and commenced practice in
Marietta, Georgia. He served on the Marietta
city council in 1880 and 1881. Clay was a member of the
Georgia House of Representatives from 1884 to 1887 and 1889 to 1890, and served as speaker
pro tempore in 1886 to 1887 and 1889 to 1890. He was a member of the
Georgia Senate from 1892 to 1894 and served as its president for his last two years in that body. In 1896 Clay was elected to the U.S. Senate and reelected twice (in 1902 and 1908). As a U.S. senator, Clay served as chair of the
Committee on Revolutionary Claims and as a member of the
Committee on Woman Suffrage. Clay died in Atlanta while in office in 1910 and was buried in the City Cemetery in Marietta.
Joseph M. Terrell was appointed to fulfill the remainder of Clay's term. == Family relationships ==