Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Thomas Clifton

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SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford,
Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed 
Publishing Co., 1889.
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Thomas Clifton, who is one of the enterprising citizens of Eldorado Township, 
[p.820] 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.