Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 430-431

ISAAC N. CLIFTON, a well-known retired farmer of Platteville, is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Grant county. He was born in Platteville Jan. 24, 1844, a son of William and Frances (BASYE) CLIFTON, both natives of Missouri.

Prior to his marriage the father of our subject came to Grant county with his parents, Bascom and Sarah CLIFTON, both now deceased, and located in what is now Clifton township, which was named in honor of the family. By occupation William CLIFTON was a miner and farmer, and in Lima and Clifton township he improved a farm of 222 acres. For a time he lived in Dakota, and on his return to Grant county took up his residence in Arthur, Lima township. He died in 1891 and his wife made her home in Lancaster until her death in February, 1900. They were married in Platteville, and became the parents of the following children: Dewitt C. enlisted with his brother Isaac N., in August, 1862, in the three-years service, and died at Rome, Ga., in 1864; E. W. is a farmer of Lancaster township, Grant county; Isaac N. is mentioned below; James E. is a Congregational minister, now serving as secretary of the Congregational Educational Society, located at Chicago; J. J. is a Baptist minister in Nebraska; Sarah Caroline, Mrs. ARNETT, is a resident of Fairfield, Iowa; and Anna Bell married Albert HOPPIN, and died in La Crosse, Wis. in 1879.

In the county of his nativity Isaac N. CLIFTON was reared and educated, in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day, and after starting out in life for himself engaged in farming and carpentering for some years. He opened up and improved a good farm of eighty acres in Lima township, which he still owns, and successfully engaged in its operation until his removal to Platteville, in November, 1899, since which time he has lived retired, enjoying a well-earned rest.

On Aug. 9, 1862, at Platteville, Mr. CLIFTON enrolled his name among the defenders of the Union, enlisting for three years or during the war in Company E, 25th Wis. V.I., which participated in the battle of Resaca, the siege of Atlanta, and the engagement at Decatur, Ga., where he was shot in the leg. For some time he was confined in the field hospital, and then returned home, but was able to rejoin his regiment in time to go with Sherman on the march from Atlanta to the sea, and to take part in the grand review at Washington, D. C., and in 1865, being mustered out at Madison, Wisconsin.

Mr. CLIFTON was first married, in 1867, to Miss Nancy SINNETT, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (HARRIS) SINNETT, who died in Madisonville, Ill., Mrs. CLIFTON died in 1874, leaving four children, namely: Marvin L., who is married and engaged in farming in Lima township, Grant county; James W., who died in Lima, Jan. 1, 1895; Floyd G., a farmer of the same township; and Nona Bell.

At Platteville, in 1893, Mr. CLIFTON was united in marriage with Mrs. Martha J. (CALLAWAY) RICKARD, a native of Platteville township, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (BUTSON) CALLAWAY, who were born, reared and married in Cornwall, England, and on their emigration to the New World, in 1840, came at once to Grant county, Wis., locating in Platteville township, where Mr. CALLAWAY improved a fine farm. There he died in June, 1878, and his wife, who survived him a few years, passed away in Platteville township in 1885. Their children were Joseph, who met with an accident in California, and died there in 1872; Elizabeth, Mrs. WOODRUFF, of Bloomington, Grant county; Thomas, a farmer of Jewell county, Kans.; John, a farmer of Lima township, Grant county; Martha J., now Mrs. CLIFTON; William H., who died at the age of eighteen years; Samson H., who lives on the old homestead in Grant county; George A., a farmer of Harrison township; and Jessie, who died of paralysis May 28, 1893. Mrs. CLIFTON was first married, in Platteville, to Daniel RICKARD, a native of England, and the son of John and Jane RICKARD, who came from Cornwall to this country, and were among the early settlers of Platteville, where both died. John RICKARD was a foundryman and blacksmith and his son Daniel also followed the blacksmith's trade. The death of the latter occurred in Platteville. By her first union Mrs. CLIFTON had two children: Libbie E., now Mrs. EUSTICE, of Belmont, Wis.; and Wesley H., who is married and lives on the home farm.

In 1882 Mr. CLIFTON moved to Hutchinson county, S. Dak., where he was engaged in farming for eight years, and he still holds membership in a Grand Army post in that State. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its principles, and takes an active interest in politics. He is widely and favorably known throughout Grant county, where almost his entire life has been passed, and has the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact, in either business or social life.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck