Bio: Clifford, William J. & Family

Contact: Posted4U@Charter.net

----Sources: Spencer Advance, 3 Feb 1881, pg. 1, Federal Census Records, The History of Northern Wisconsin (Marathon County, Wis.) 1881, page 573, Spencer Centennial Book

W. J. CLIFFORD, lumber, Spencer, born in Ireland, 1836. Came to America in 1851 and landed in Canada. Went first to Boston, Mass., then in 1863, to Stevens Point. In 1876, he opened business in Spencer, running a saw and shingle mill. This mill was burned, July, 1879, but was rebuilt and started again. It was burned again in May, 1881, but the new one finished in July, 1881. His store was burned also in 1879, but he resumed business at his present location. They carry a stock of $2,500, and do a business including lumber of $100,000 a year. He moved his family up to Spencer in 1880. In 1856, he married Miss Anna Nugent, of Ireland. They have six children — Maggie, John W., Ella, Mary, Alice, and Theresa; all Catholics.

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William J. Clifford purchased the Wood & Blake Mill in Spencer, Wisconsin and opened a large store and boarding house on a street known as "Smoky Row" where some mill workers made their home. Close to midnight, May 19, 1881, a fire originated in the shingle mill and "angry flames shot heaven-ward, like tongues of monster serpents, throwing a lurid light over the entire village," destroying the entire mill. No lives were lost and only about $200 of lumber belonging to Damon & Sons was consumed. A new mill was built west and south of the old one with astounding rapidity and the Clifford Mill employees were quickly back to work.

This 1881 advertisement for W. J. Clifford Lumber

was featured by the Spencer Advance numerous times.

1875 Federal Census, Stevens Point City, Portage, Wisconsin

Name: William Clifford
Residence: Stevens Point City, Portage, Wisconsin
Number of White Males: 2
Number of White Females: 7
Number of Black Males:
Number of Black Females:
Line Number: 5
 

1880 Federal Census, Stevens Point, Portage, Wisconsin

Name: William J. Clifford  
Birthdate: 1837
Birthplace: Ireland
Relationship to Head: Self
Spouse's Name: Anna Clifford
Spouse's Birthplace: Ireland
Father's Name:
Father's Birthplace: Ireland
Mother's Name:
Mother's Birthplace: Ireland
Race or Color (Expanded): White
Ethnicity (Standardized): American
Gender: Male
Martial Status: Married
Age (Expanded): 43 years
Occupation: Lumber
NARA Film Number: T9-1442
Page: 153
Household Gender Age
William J. Clifford M 43
Spouse Anna Clifford F 36 (1843 Ireland); parents b. Ireland
Child: Maggie Clifford F 22 (1858 NY), Milliner
Child: John Clifford M 20 (1860 NY), Dry Goods Clerk
Child: Ella Clifford F 17 (1863 NY), school
Child: Mamie Clifford F 16 (1864 Wis.), school
Child: Alice Clifford F 13 (1867 Wis.), school
Child: Theresa Clifford F 11 (1869 Wis.), school
 

1880 Federal Census, Spencer, Marathon, Wisconsin

Name: John W. Clifford (son of William J. & Anna)

Birthdate: 1860
Birthplace: Massachusetts, United States
Relationship to Head: Other
Spouse's Name:
Spouse's Birthplace:
Father's Name:
Father's Birthplace: Ireland
Mother's Name:
Mother's Birthplace: Ireland
Race or Color (Expanded): White
Ethnicity (Standardized): American
Gender: Male
Martial Status: Single
Age (Expanded): 20 years
Occupation: Clerks In Store
Household 
Head: Henry Pool M 60, Hotel Keeper, b. 1820 Maine, parents b. Maine
Spouse: Mary E. Pool F 46, Keeping House, b. 1834 Maine, parents b. Maine
Child: Eva Pool F 13, At School, b. 1867 Wis.
Servant: Charles Munson M 32, b. 1838 Sweden
Fred A. Preston M 22, school teacher, b. 1858 Wis., father b. Canada, mother b. Maine
Servant: Susie Newland F 22, single, b. 1858 OH, parents b. OH
Servant: Jennie Love F 22, single, b. 1858 CA, parents b. Scotland
Servant: Hannah Moe F 22, single, b. 1858 Wis., parents b. Norway
Benjamin Wallace M 28, single, works in saw mill; b. 1852, Canada, parents b. Ireland
Jerry Bonnallie M 23, single laborer; b. 1857 Wis., parents b. Canada
Gardiner Folsom M 22, single, works in saw mill; b. 1858 NY; parents b. VT
Mohr Alex M 23, single, R.R. Tel. & Ex. Agent; b. 1857 Wis., parents b. Germany
William Kennedy M 23, single laborer; b. 1857 Canada, parents b. Canada
Henry M'Clatchie M 22, single store clerk, b. 1858 Wis., parents b. Scotland
Robert Prentice M 24, single Miller, b. 1856 Wis., parents b. Scotland
John W. Clifford M 20, single store clerk, b. 1860 MA, parents b. Ireland
William Layman M 24, single laborer, b. 1856 Wis., parents b. Germany
John Furgeson M 23, single lumber merchant, b. 1857 Canada, father b. NY, mother b. Canada
Peter Furgeson M 25, single lumber merchant, b. 1855 Canada, father b. NY, mother b. Canada
J. M. Adams M 25, single physician & surgeon, b. 1855 NY, father b. VT, mother b. NY

1900 Federal Census, Stevens Point city, Portage, Wisconsin

Name: Anna Clifford 
Birth Date: Dec 1843
Birthplace: Ireland
Relationship to Head-of-Household: Wife
Spouse Name: William Clifford
Spouse Birth Place: Ireland
Father Birthplace: Ireland
Mother Birthplace: Ireland
Race or Color (expanded): White
Head-of-household Name: William Clifford
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Married
Years Married: 43
Estimated Marriage Year: 1857
Mother How Many Children: 6
Number Living Children: 6
Immigration Year: 1845
Household Gender Age
Spouse William Clifford M, Mar 1835, b. Ireland, married 43 yrs., parents b. Ireland
Anna Clifford F

Name: John Clifford (son of Wm. & Anna)
Residence: Stevens Point city, Portage, Wisconsin
Birth Date: May 1860
Birthplace: New York
Spouse Name: Janette Clifford
Spouse Birth Place: Wisconsin
Father Birthplace: Ireland
Mother Birthplace: Ireland
Race or Color (expanded): White
Head-of-household Name:
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Years Married: 18
Estimated Marriage Year: 1882
Mother How Many Children:
Number Living Children:
Immigration Year:
Enumeration District: 0111
Sheet Number and Letter: 9B
Household ID: 173
Household
Head: John Clifford M
Spouse: Janette Clifford F, Aug 1862 Wis., 3 children - 2 living, parents b. NY
Child: John W Clifford M, Feb 1889 Wis.
Child: Myron J Clifford M, Jul 1892 Wis.
Servant: Emma Russell F, single, Jul 1883 Wis., parents b. Germany

----Source: Spencer Advance, 26 May, 1881

Another Fire illuminate this village about midnight last Thursday night (19 May 1881).  The cry of fire! and the screech of steam whistles aroused the slumbering population, and as we opened our eyes a bright glare of light was streaming in at the window, which made it seem as though the fire was uncomfortably near, but on looking out, Clifford's mill was discovered completely enveloped in flames.  The mill as been running night and day the most of the season, and the fire broke out during the hour for midnight lunch, but how it originated is a mystery, as it started in the shingle mill, which does not run nights, and consequently no one was in that part of the building at the time.  It is conjectured that a hot box may have started the fire, which smouldered [sic] in the rubbish until it developed in flames.  When first discovered the fire was darting up to the roof of the shingle mill, and in an incredibly short time the whole structure was wrapped in flames.  The sight was terribly grand, as the angry flames shot heaven-ward, like tongues of monster serpents, throwing a lurid light over the entire village.  Fortunately the air was perfectly calm, and the the fire did not extend beyond the building.  Had there been a strong wind, the imminence amount of lumber piled in the yard must inevitably have been destroyed.  The loss of such an institution is a calamity to the place, as it throws about eight men out of employment--but thanks to Mr. Clifford's energy and pluck, the enforced idleness of the employees will not be long duration, of the mill is to be rebuilt as soon as a large force of workmen can put it together.

----Source: Stevens Point Daily Journal | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Saturday, May 28, 1881 | Page 3

—W. J. Clifford's saw mill was destroyed by fire on the night of the 19th. The fire originated in the shingle mill while the men were eating their midnight lunch and was not discovered until it had gained such head way that in a very few minutes the whole mill was in flames. The cause of the fire cannot be accounted for as the shingle mill was not running that night. Fortunately no lumber was burned; the only loss aside from the mill being about $200 worth of shingles belonging to Messrs. Damon & Sons. Mr. Clifford talks of rebuilding at once.

----Source: Spencer Advance, 3 June 1881

Clifford is building another side track at his lumber yard.

J. W. Clifford spent the first of the week at the Point.

Clifford is rushing his new mill along very rapidly.  He says he will have it running the first of July.  That is what we call quick time.

----Source: Spencer Advance, 23 Jun 1881

Clifford's mill is getting along at an astonishingly rapid rate, machinery is beginning to arrive, and is being put into place.  The mill when completed will be much better than ever before, and will do as good work as it is possible for any mill to do, as they will have all the latest improved machinery.

----Source: Spencer Advance, 7 Jul 1881

We Hear with sorrow of the severe illness of Mrs. W. J. Clifford, who has been for several days confined to her room.  We hope to soon see her out again.

----Source: Spencer Advance, 14 Jul 1881

Clifford's mill is nearly in readiness for business once more, and is expected to start up some time next week.

----Source: Gazette, The | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Wednesday, January, 1888

W. J. Clifford and M. Cassidy spent yesterday at Green Bay. where they met Father Alton, who will hold services at St. Stephen's church n Sunday morning next and will be located here permanently in the future, arriving next Friday or Saturday.

----Source: Gazette, The | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Wednesday, December 31, 1913 | Page 2

W. J. Clifford and E. R. Herren of the Stevens Point Lumber Co. visited Marshfield on Monday and while there closed a contract for the 1889 cut of lumber and shingles of the Upham Manfg. Co., which will amount to at least 10,000,000 feet of lumber and 12,000,000 shingles.

Marriage Announcement

The marriage of Miss Theresa Evelyn Clifford, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Clifford, to Michael E. Entzminger, formerly of this city (Stevens Point, Wis.), was solemnized at 7 o'clock Wednesday morning in the private chapel at the residence of the Sisters of Notre Dame.  Stevens Pt. Daily Journal, 17 June 1893

News Clips

CLIFFORD, WILLIAM J DEATH MARSHFIELD NEWS FEB 16, 1911 p.7 col.4
Notes: age 75/of stevens point/death info

Responses

Additional information regarding John W. Clifford, son of William J. Clifford.

William J. Clifford (the father) was born 10 Mar 1834 and died in Feb 1911.

The quoted census has Janette as wife of John Clifford. This should be Henetti per Civil War records but the family called her "Netti".  Netti was born 2 Aug 1862, 4th and last child of Washington Short and Lydia Greene Short. Netti was born on the family farm in Pine Valley, Clark Co, WI. Margarett Lynch was the mid-wife. Netti's siblings were: James Wallace Short, George Arthur Short and Frank DeWillet Short.

Netti Short married John W. Clifford on 15 Sept 1880 at the Catholic Church in Stevens Point.

John W. Clifford was born on 1 May 1859 in Boston, MA and died on 24 Dec 1917 of hardening of the arteries at the family home in Stevens Point. John's mother Anna Nugent Clifford was still living at this time. John's surviving siblings: Mrs. John Shannon of Winona, MN; Mrs. M. Entzminger and Mrs. William Griffith of Green Bay, WI; Mrs. Ella Kenefick of Stevens Point, WI and Mrs. A. M. Fox of Seattle, WA.

Netti Short and John Clifford had five children, all born in Stevens Point, two died in infancy.

John William "Willie" Clifford born 26 Feb 1889 Baby boy, no name, born 3 March 1890, apparently died soon after birth Mryon J. Clifford, born 1 July 1891 Kathlene Clifford, born 28 Mar 1903, died 10 Nov 1931 Milwaukee, WI

Kathlene Clifford graduated from Univ of WI and married in April 1928 to Hawley S. Cahill. Kathlene died of Hodgkins Disease. She had no children. In addition to her husband she was survived by her mother Netti Short Clifford and brothers John W. Clifford of Milwaukee, WI and Myron Clifford of Los Angeles, CA.

Netti Short Clifford was said to have moved to California after the death of her daughter Kathlene. Both her son Myron Clifford and Netti's half-sister Nora Jane Haner (born 10 Oct 1870 parents = Lydia Greene Short Haner & George Haner) lived in CA at that time. Sharon Short