The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-06-20
DIR. CLIFTON DIES SUDDENLY.
A Popular Methodist Minister Called
to His Reward.

| A PODular -aAhAoeSA Ne@AASu
to His Reward.
Marion. June 14.-Dr. Jesse A. Caf-
ton. the venerateG pastor Of the Meth
o6isr church in Marion and one Of the
most prominent and popular ministers
in South Carolina, died suddenly at
his home this Afternoon. Heart failure
is assigned as the cause Of his death.
The sad occurrence has created IN
tense grief in this community, where
DR.. Clifton had endeared himself to
the citizens irrespective Of denomina-
ton. The distressing intelligence Of
his death will carry irreparable asor-
row to many who honored~and loved
him throughout the State. He was 81
years old, and was apparently hale
and vigorous.
Ht was to have preached the funer-
al of Mrs. j. NJ. Williams, who died
yesterday, at about the same hour
|
Jesse Alexander Clifton was the son
| OF Capt. Jesse C. Clifton and Mary H.
Clifton and he was born Sept. 26,
| 1S45. After the usual home training
and advtanges Of a common school,
he entered the Ebenezer Classical
school,, where he was thoroughly
trained. From here he went to the
Universitye Of Virginia, where he re-
ceived the action in the higher
branches. Intending to enter the
practice G. law, he took the course IN
Law at the University of Virginia, but
the brilliant young mind that had
been thus trained and developed was
to be turned into other channels of
usefulness and service.
He was converted under tl.e preach
| ing of the late Rev. Jaoob L. Shu-
ford, joining the church at Ell Bethel
III Chester county in 1858. His con-
version, which was in July Of that
year, at home in his rom alone at
the hour Of midnight, was said to be
. most powerful manifestation Of the
divine presence. In September Of that
wear he felt that he was called to
preach the gospel. In December,
1859, Mr. Clifton was received on
trial into the South Carolina confer
ence at the session held at church, he
and George T. Harmon forming the
class received. His appointments
| have been as follows: Columbia cir
cult, with Rev. James P. Kilgo, as Sc
nior, 1873; Batesburg circuit, 1916;
Saluda circuit, 1878; Graham cir
cult, 1880; ST., Matthews circuit,
1888; Newberry station, 1SS4-5; Gen.
tral church, Spartanburg, 1868;
Buncombe street, Greenville, 1SSs-s1;
Bethel, Charleston, 1926; Abbeville
station, 1867; Sumter station, 1898
1901; orangeburg, 1so1-o5; and Ma
rion, his last charge.
Dr. Clifton was married, Nov. "a,
1868, to Miss Mary z. Eicklin, daugh-
ter o. DR.. W. J. Hicklin of Chester,
Rev. JACOB L. Shuford performing the
ceremony. The following are their
children: Dr.. Jesse a. Clifton, Jr., Of
orangeburg, Mrs Mary c. Kelly,
James S. Clifton, John Hicklin Cliff
ton, member Of the house Of repre-
sentaves from -sun:ter; Mrs. L. R.
Camp, Of Charlotte and Mrs. Kate
[Hill.
No man in South Carolina confer
ence had more warm friends than DR..
Clifton. AS a preacher he possessed
unusual powers. With a fine physique
an intelligent face, with oratorical tai
ents, he was naturally an attractive
speaker. AS lecturer DR.. Clifton
was popular and often in demand.
His helpful thoughts, clothed in gar
ment Of sparkling wit and hunor,
rendered him an entertaining plat
form orator.
DR.. Cliftoa's popularity in the con-
ference was manifested by the posi-
tons Of trust and honor which were
given him. He represented the con-
ference as a delegate in the general
conference held in Memphis in 1894
and also at Baltimore in 1896