P. W. Clifford, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of P. W. Clifford
P. W. CLIFFORD - The successful contracting firm of which P. W. Clifford is now the head was, founded by P. T. Clifford, who was born in County Kerry, Ireland. His marriage was to Mary Bennett, who was born in County Cork, Ireland. In 1850 Mr. Clifford came to this country and eventually came to Mansfield, Ohio, where he entered the railroad contracting business. He continued in this as the sole owner, gradually expanding along substantial lines, and in 1883 the firm became known as P. T. Clifford and Son - the latter being P. W. Clifford who is now the directing head of the concern. Since 1900 P. W. Clifford has directed the business in association with his sons and a nephew. The father passed away in 1908. P. W. Clifford was born on a farm in Porter County on October 8, 1859, and was the youngest of the children born to his parents. He graduated from St. Paul's parochial school of Valparaiso, St. Viator's with the class of 1882, and the Union College of Law in 1884, where he received his degree of LL. B. He at once joined his father in the contracting business which he still directs. His marriage was with Catherine, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Howe of Valparaiso; to their marriage were born two sons: Walter, who is associated with his father in business; and Bennett, who passed away February 16, 1924. Mr. Clifford has many interests aside from the contracting business, including an active interest in the Farmers State Bank of Valparaiso of which he serves as vice president and director. During the World war he was chairman of the united war drives, and was active in Red Cross work. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and has the distinction of having been the first member of the K. of C. in Indiana. He is also a member of the B. P. O. E. The contracting firm of which Mr. Clifford is the head is one of the largest railroad construction concerns in the United States, having equipment to handle everything from the ordinary to the most colossal construction work. This equipment includes narrow gauge and standard gauge engines, steam shovels, teams, camp, and railroad boarding cars. Among the noted constructions were the elevation of the Pennsylvania railroad tracks in Chicago; they secured the necessary sand ballast for this work from the territory now known as Gary, but which was then but a sand heap, One of the profitable diversions of Mr. Clifford is the operation of four dairy farms in Porter County which are managed with the same business precision and gratifying results as his other business ventures.
Source: Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927. History of the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana Embracing the Counties of Lake, Porter and Laporte. Volume II. Indianapolis, Indiana: Historians' Association. 827 p.
Page(s) in Source: 641-642
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook