Stanislaus
County
Biographies
ELDAD A. CLIFFORD
This well-known citizen of
Stanislaus County is one of the largest stock-raisers in this portion of the
state and has been largely instrumental in improving the grade of stock raised
in this section of California. His
efforts have therefore been of public benefit, for the improvement of stock adds to its market value and the wealth of the agricultural
class is thereby augmented. The rich
pasture lands of the Pacific coast provide excellent opportunities to the
stock-raiser, and this industry has become a most important feature in the
commercial interests of the Golden state.
Mr. Clifford’s farm is located two
miles east of Knight’s Ferry and he has been a resident of the state since
1852, coming here a young man of twenty-one years. He was born in Danville, Caledonia County,
Vermont, on the 12th of April, 1831.
His grandfather, Joseph Clifford, was born in Scotland. At an early day he immigrated to the Green
Mountain state, where his son, Rufus, the father of our subject, was born and
reared. As a companion and helpmate on
life’s journey, he chose Miss Lydia Badger, a native of Hartland, Vermont. They became industrious farming people and
worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and spent their entire lives
in Vermont, the old homestead continuing their place of abode. The father passed away at the age of
seventy-two years, but the mother attained the very advanced age of ninety-two
years. They were the parents of nine
children, six of whom are living.
William R. Clifford, a brother of our subject, came to California and
died in Stockton, this state, in 1865.
Eldad
Alexander Clifford acquired his education in his native town and in his youth
worked at farming and in a cotton factory in New Hampshire, where he remained
until allured by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast he made his way to
California, by way of the Isthmus route.
On reaching this state he went direct to the placer mines at what was
then called Poverty Hill, a mining camp formed of tents. For three years he engaged in placer mining
through the winter season and in the summer months followed teaming, hauling
goods from Stockton to Sonora, Columbia and Chinese Camp. For fourteen years he followed teaming,
finding it a profitable venture, for as there was no other means of
transportation the teamsters commanded good prices for their services. Mr. Clifford afterward traveled as a salesman
for a wholesale liquor and cigar house and at the same time purchased hides and
tallow. For six years he devoted his
time to the purchase of pelts and hides, and then purchased a flock of
sheep. For twenty-four years he was
engaged in the sheep-raising industry, having as high as eight thousand sheep
upon his ranch at one time and realizing from his labors in one season as high
as eleven thousand dollars. In 1898 he
sold his sheep and is now in the cattle business, having five hundred head of
cattle. He breeds Hereford cattle and
his herd includes thirteen thoroughbred bulls.
Thus he has greatly improved his own stock and that of his neighbors, so
that fine grades of Hereford cattle are found upon the markets and command
excellent prices.
On the 24th of April,
1868, Mr. Clifford was united in marriage to Miss Ella Wilkins, a native of St.
Catherine’s, Canada, a daughter of Elijah and Sarah Wilkins. Her father is now in the eighty-eighth year
of his age, but her mother has passed away.
Mrs. Clifford was reared in Stockton and in Stanislaus County where she
makes her home. She is well known,
having many friends among its best people.
Mr. Clifford gives his political support to the Republican Party, but
has never sought or desired public office, his attention being given closely to
his business interests, which have resulted in bringing to him an excellent
financial return.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 745-746. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2011
Gerald Iaquinta.