Sacramento County
Biographies
WILLIAM JAMES CLIFFORD
WILLIAM JAMES CLIFFORD.--Prominent among the most successful of brick-contractors, who take a very active role in the industrial life of Sacramento County, is William James Clifford, a native son and also one of the Capital City's own boys. He entered the family of Christopher and Hattie (James) Clifford, on September 30, 1888. Christopher Clifford came to California as a boy, driving horses across the great plains for Colonel McMaster, with whom he continued for years, in charge of his horses. When William was seven years old, his father died, leaving an excellent record for both ability and reliability. Mrs. Clifford is still living, the object of tender affection.
William enjoyed the privilege of attendance at the public schools, and pretty early tried his luck at selling papers; for Mrs. Clifford had been left with six children, and each necessarily contributed toward the family support. After a while, he learned the brick-laying trade, and for some years followed his trade before engaging, in 1918, in business for himself. Since he has been operating on his own initiative and responsibility, he has usually had more than he could comfortably do; and what he has done has given satisfaction to all immediately concerned. He built the Auto Stage Depot at the corner of Fifth and I Streets, the Bowman Carriage Shop at the corner of Twelfth and A Streets, the Igo Hospital, Norris Apartments, Harvie Implement Company's building, Piggly Wiggly building, Born Bros.' building, the Japanese Hospital, and the Spillman Garage, and has done much residential and mantel work, generally employing about eight men the year round. He is a director in the Builders' Exchange, and a member of the Progressive Business Club. In politics, he prefers the platforms of the Republican party, but maintains independence in thinking and voting.
In the year 1910, occurred the wedding of William J. Clifford and his fiancee', Miss Gertrude McBurney, a native daughter and a worthy representative of one of the old pioneer families of the state; and they have had one child, Alda Wilma. Despite the pressure of business, Mr. Clifford occasionally gets away to enjoy the natural attractions of Sacramento County; and he enjoys hunting and fishing, in particular.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 794. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.