REV. MICHAEL CLIFFORD has been pastor of St. Mary's Church, Mount Sterling, Illinois, for more than twenty years, and during this time has been a faithful servant to his Master, and has won the esteem and admiration of the people with whom he has labored. He was born in county Limerick, Ireland, and his ancestors for many generations were natives of the same county. He received his early education in the Latin school at Charleyville, county Cork, and later became a student at All Hallow's College, Dublin, from which institution he was graduated in 1862. In July of the same year he crossed the sea to America, and came directly from the seaboard to Illinois.

His first charge was at Bunker Hill, Macoupin county; thence he was sent to Sangamon county, and removed from this point to Morgan county, where he remained until 1872, when he came to Mount Sterling and took charge of St. Mary's congregation. This is the first Roman Catholic Church of Mount Sterling, having been founded more than fifty years ago; the present structure is a handsome brick edifice, with a seating capacity of 500, and the membership numbers 185 families. The parochial school under the care of the church is in charge of the Dominican Sisters, and has an attendance of eighty-five. Since Father Clifford has been pastor of St. Mary's, improvements have been made to the extent of over $10,000; a residence for the priest and one for the Dominican Sisters are included in the work accomplished by him. He has been devoted to the interests of his people, and in him they find that wise counsel and loving admonition which has been a safe guide on the pathway of life.