My Genealogy Hound

Thomas Clifton, who is one of the enterprising citizens of Eldorado Township, was born in Scott County, Ill., December 9, 1853, and is the son of John and Nancy (Clifton) Clifton. The grandparents Clifton on both sides were natives of Delaware. John Clifton was also born in Delaware, and grew to manhood in that state. His parents dying while he was still quite young, a guardian was appointed, who gave him very meager advantages for an education. When leaving his old home he first went to Ohio, and from that State soon after to Indiana, and subsequently going from that State to Illinois. Later He moved to Kansas, where he remained for about twenty years but afterward came to Benton County, Ark., and here died in 1885. Nancy (Clifton) Clifton was born in Delaware, and was a cousin of Mr. Clifton. To them were born eleven children, eight now living: Mary, Julia A., John W., Isabel, Nancy, Benonia, Sarah and Thomas. Those deceased were named James, Ellen and Charles. Thomas Clifton, subject of this sketch, remained with his father until the latter’s death, taking care of both parents in their old age. When a boy he received but a common-school education, and continued to work on the farm until his marriage, which occurred in 1874, with Miss Eliza Jackson daughter of Abel and Martha Jackson, and a native of Illinois. To this union were born five children, four now living: John Franklin, William Andrew, Charles Thomas and Nancy Jane. The one deceased was named Benonia. After his marriage Mr. Clifton continued to live with his parents, and moved with them to Arkansas. The mother died in Kansas, and the father married his second wife in that State, and moved with her to Arkansas, where she now lives, the father died on the farm his son has since occupied. Thomas Clifton is now the owner of 129 acres of land, eighty under cultivation. He is a strong Republican in his political views; never has voted any other ticket. He is a strong advocate of the public school system, doing what his circumstances would permit in that direction, and he and Mrs. Clifton are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.