The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1906-06-22
GONE TO HIS REWARD.
IsEv. y. "A. CLIFrON, d. D., DIES
SUDDENLY.
He Was a Great Pulpit Orator and
q Genial Lovable
Man.

This community was shocked to
hear of tho sudden death of Rev. j.
A. Clifton, d. D., at Marion, s. O.,
On Thursday afternoon. He was
Pastor Of the Methodist Church at
THAT place and was n of the most
prominent and ]ovable ministore In
the State. Heart failure is assigned
as the cause of his death, which was
brought on by acute indigestion
from which he suffered severely At
times. The death OF this good man
created intense grief in Orangeburg
among all classes, rs he was universal
ly beloved. He served st. Paul's
Church In this city four years and
left here last December for his ap.
pointmeut at Marion. During his
four years residence here DR.. Clifton
had endeared himself to all church
people irrespective Of denomination
az VOL as those who were not mem
befs OF any church. The intelligence
or bis death will carry sorrow to many
who honored and loved him through.
out the State. He was 81 a old,
and was apparently hale and vigorous
up to the time of his death. He was
TO have preached the funeral of Mrs,
D. M. Williams, who died Wednes
day at about the same hour that he
was called to his heavenly home.
jesse Alexander Clifton was the son
OF OapG. Jesse O. Clifton and Mary FL.
Clifton and he was born Sept. 20,
l845 After the usual home training
and advantages Of o common school,
he entered the Ebenezar Classical
school, where he was thoroughly train
ed. From here he went to the Uni.
versity of Virginia, whore he received
the instruction In the higher branch.
es. Intending to enter the practice of
law, he took the course In law at the
University OF Virginia, but the brill
liant young mind that bad been thus
trained and developed was to be turn
ed into other channels Of usefulness
and service.
He was converted under the preach
trg Of the late Rev. Jacob L. Shiu-
ford, jotning the church at 81 Bethel
In Chester county in 1868. His CONVEX
sion, which was Ia July of that year,
at home In his room alone at the hour
OF midnight, was said TO be o most
powerful manifestation Of the divine
presence. In September Of that year
he felt that be was called to preach
the go7pel. In December, 1859. Mr..
Clifton was received on trial into the
South Carolina conference at the ses-
sion held at onI.cn, he and George
Il. Harmon forming the class ieceiv.
ed.
His appointments have been as
follows: C)lumbia circuit, 1870 70;
Junior preacher on Fairfield circuit,
with Rev. James p. Kllgo, as senior,
1873; Batesburg circuit, 1916;
Saluda circuit, 1877 8; Graham cir.
cut, 1879 80; ST. Matthews circuit,
1882; Spring Street. Charleston,
1888; Newberry station, 1884 s; Cen
tral church Spartanburg, 1886 8;
Bunoombe S rect, Greenville, 1890 OIL;
Bethel, Charleston, 1892 95; AbbevIlle
station, 1896 7; Sumter station, 1893
1901; Ofangeburg, 1901-5; ana
Marion, his last charge.
DR.. Clifton was married, Nov. "a,
1868. to Miss Mary e Hicklin,
daughter OF DR.. w. J. Hicklln Of
Chester, Rev Jacob L. Shuford per
forming the ceremony. The follow.
ing are their children: D.. jesse A.
Chf on, Jr,, Of O%ranaenu'g, Mrs
Mary O HALEY, James S. Clifton,
joan Hicklin Clifton, member of the
house Of re representatives. from Sumte?;
Mrs. J%osepAine Camp, OF Charlotte,
and Mrs. Klte Maher Hill, OF Aiken.
No man in the SCuah Carolina con-
ference had more warm friends than
Dr.. Clifton. AS q preacher he POS.
sesSed unusual powers. With a fine
physique, an intelligent face, with
oratorical talents, he was natural,
an attractive speaker. AS o lecturer
DR.. Clifton was popular and often In
demand. His helpful thoughts.
clothed In g garment Of sparkling wit
and bu nor, rendered him an enter.
taining platf rm orator.
DR.. OliftOn'S popularity In the con-
ference was manifested by the posi-
lions Of trust and honor which were
given him. Ho represented the con.
ference es Q delegate In the general
conferece held In Memphis In 1894
and also at BaltimNre In 1898.