Born Nov. 3, 1820 at Aero, Denmark. Studied law, language, theology, became a lay preacher. Went to Norway where he became acquainted with Haugean revival movement. Clausen was one of the pastors who founded the Norwegian Synod.  After coming to America in 1843 with his wife, Martha Rasmussen, Clausen was ordained at a church in Muskego, Wisconsin on Oct. 18,1843.  Served various parishes. In October 1853, the Norwegian Synod was formed at Clausen’s home congregation, Luther Valley in Beloit, Wisconsin. One of 3 founders of Norwegian Lutheran Church in America, 1851, and of several other Lutheran Synods. Clausen was one of the leading members of a Synod committee appointed to supervise the creation of Luther College, 1861.  In 1868, after several years of disagreement, Clausen withdrew from the Norwegian Synod because of opposing views on slavery.  In 1870, he joined forces with members of the Norwegian-Danish Augustana Synod and planned a new church body, but they soon broke apart. Died Feb. 20, 1892.

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Clausen var en av prestene som grunnla Den norske synoden. Etter å ha kommet til USA i 1840-årene, ble Clausen ordinert i kirka i Muskego, Wisconsin, oktober 1843. I 1853 ble Den norske synoden dannet i Clausens menighet, Luther Valley, i Beloit, Wisconsin. Clausen var en av de ledende medlemmene i synodekomiteen som hadde til oppgave å starte Luther College. I 1868, etter flere år med uenighet, trakk Clausen seg ut av Den norske synoden på grunn av sine holdninger til slaveriet. I 1870 gikk han sammen med medlemmer av den norsk-danske Augustanasynoden og planla et nytt kirkesamfunn, men de brøyt opp fra dette etter kort tid.