STEUBEN REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1904, page 3, columns 6, 7 JAMES A. CLIFTON, 11 Feb 1843 - 26 May 1904 The subject of this sketch, James A. Clifton, was born Feb. 11, 1843, at Thornville, Perry county, Ohio, where he spent the days of his boyhood and young manhood beneath the parental roof until in the month of May, 1862, when at the age of nineteen, he enlisted in Company D, 85th regiment of Ohio, Volunteer Infantry. He served with this regiment in the great struggle of the southern rebellion for two years and was honorably discharged from same in 1864. Soon after this discharge he again re- enlisted in the 131st Ohio National Guards, and served in this regiment the full time of enlistment which was one hundred days and again was honorably discharged. Still again the young soldier answered his country's call for more soldiers, this time re-enlisting in the 121st regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. With this regiment he served until the close of the Rebellion in summer of 1865, and was for the third time honorably discharged from military service. The simple recital of this "Soldier's Record" tells well the story of his love of the grand old flag and his unswerving loyalty to his country in the hour of her greatest peril. Brave young soldier, the gifted poet has inadvertently paid a high tribute to you and to other patriots in that touching and beautiful poem of parental affection entitled "Good bye, Jim, good bye." In 1868, three years after the close of the Civil War, Mr. Clifton came to Angola, Ind., and a year later he took a permanent residence at Orland, Steuben county, Ind., where he resided for fourteen years. On October 26, 1870, Mr. Clifton was married to Miss Jennie Bansill, of Jonesville, Mich., a happy genial union, which endured for more than thirty-three years, a union broken only by his death May 26, 1904. Oh, May this death prove only a temporary parting, And may he meet his loved ones in a reunion eternal in that Glorious Realm, Where time doth not breathe on its fadeless bloom, Beyond the grave and beyond the tomb. In the year 1883, Mr. Clifton and wife became residents of Auburn, Ind., and there during the last two decades of his life he won an enviable reputation for honest, manly worth and sterling integrity. His friendship was as warm and unfailing as the genial rays of an effulgent sun. His kindness and gentleness were like unto the silvery sheen of the beautiful Orb of night. His sympathy was as spontaneous and tender as sympathy of the little children he so dearly loved. His nature was sensitive almost to a fault. His political opinions and religious faith might be illuminated by referring to the opinions of his illustrious prototype, Thomas Jefferson, whose life and whose character both private and political, he so highly revered. His private life was pure, candid, honest, devoid of cant, hypocrisy and ostentation, and was therefore worthy of our emulation. Those who were associated with him in business and who knew him well, speak highly of his personal honor and all unite in saying, "We have lost a good and true man." Mr. Clifton became a member of the DeKalb Lodge No. 214 F. & A. M. by application on Nov. 17, 1885, his home lodge being at Orland. He remained a true and devoted member of the Order until death severed the Mystic tie that bound him to that fraternity. During the year 1901 he was attacked by an insidious and unknown disease. For three years he bravely battled against the slow but steady advance of the unseen and unknown foe to his mortal life. But alas, neither medical skill nor solicitous care of brethren of his Lodge, nor sympathy and kindness of neighbors and friends, nor stalwart frame and rugged constitution, nor unfailing love of a noble and devoted wife who for three long years kept constant watch and vigil by his bedside, were able to longer stay the final summons which we call death. And so tired of life's journey, he whom we loved has passed within the silent "tent" of death whose curtain never outward swings. Brethren of DeKalb Lodge right well and nobly have ye performed your sacred duty to the dead. Friends and neighbors! By your kindness and sympathy ye have earned the lasting gratitude of Lodge and friends and family. Devoted, self- sacrificing, loving wife, you can only receive your full reward in Heaven. Comrades of the great rebellion, you whose rank and file have well nigh faded away. Let all assemble here, voice with you an earnest prayer, to a loving infinite Father, in behalf of this loved comrade and of all loved comrades gone before-that now, On heaven's eternal camping grounds, Their silent ranks are spread, And that glory guards, with solemn round, The bivouac of the dead. He leaves to mourn his departure a wife, an aged mother, Mrs. M. A. Clifton of Auburn; three sisters, Mrs. C. C. Noragon, of Angola, Mrs. W. C. Townsend, of Auburn, and Mrs. M.D. Bansill, of Bellaire, Mich.; and one brother, J. W. Clifton, of Ohio. The funeral was held at the home Saturday at 1 p.m. under the direction of the Masonic Order, Rev. Brosy officiating. Interment in Evergreen cemetery. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: James was the son of Joseph Clifton, 08 Aug 1810 - 17 Oct 1879, died in Bridgewater Township, Williams County, Ohio, and Mary Ann (Kemmer) Clifton, 08 Jul 1818 - 08 May 1910, died in West Jefferson, Madison County, Ohio. SIBLINGS OF JAMES A. CLIFTON: John W. Clifton, born 21 Sep 1836 in Jefferson, Pickaway County, Ohio, and died 03 Feb 1909 in Montpelier, Williams County, Ohio. Buried at Bridgewater Township, Williams County, Ohio. Susan Clifton, born 07 Jun 1839 in Radnor, Delaware County, Ohio, and died 09 Dec 1897 in Bryan, Williams County, Ohio. Sarah Clifton, born about 1845 in Ohio. Edson (Edison) Clifton, born about 1850 in Ohio. Mary Clifton, born about 1853 in Ohio; died after 1910. Eva Clifton, born about 1855 in Ohio; died after 1910. Emma Clifton, born about 1858 in Ohio; died after 1910. www.familysearch.org, Family Group Record of Joseph Clifton. Submitted by: Mona Hilden-Beckwith e-mail: hilbeck123@att.net