File:Steam Shovel of Patrick T. Clifford, Railroad Contractor, circa 1910 - Valparaiso, Indiana (50722473831).jpg

Clifford Valparaiso, Indiana 7

BUCYRUS SOUTH MILWAUKEE, WIS.

Date: Circa 1910 Source Type: Postcard Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Unknown Postmark: None Collection: Steven R. Shook Remark: The Clifford family of Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana, was instrumental in establishing railroads in northern Indiana, northern Illinois, and southern Michigan beginning in 1854. Their business concentrated on contract work to establish railroad grades. This postcard demonstrates the type of machinery used by the company to cut a grade for a rail line.

The following information concerning the Clifford family equipment appeared in the April 1915 issue of The Excavating Engineer:

P. T. Clifford & sons, Valparaiso, Ind., general contractors, report that they now own three shovels, one 70-ton Bucyrus, one 70-C Bucyrus, and one 45-C Bucyrus, and previously did own and operate one 55-ton, two 45-ton and one 35-ton shovels of the same make, having owned and operated Bucyrus shovels for the the past 25 years. They have just bought an 18-B.

They make a special report on one 70-ton Bucyrus shovel which they now own and have operated for over 11 years, No. 611. they have loaded over 8,000,000 yards of material with this shovel. It still has its original boiler and some of the original flues. This shovel has been loading sand for track elevation around Chicago. It has worked continuously for 11 years with the exception of about 9 to 10 months in 1914. The shut down was not on account of the shovel. This shovel has its original engines with the exception of a new boom engine cylinder. The car body and engine frames are perfect today. They claim to have loaded 3000 yards of sand into gondola cars in 5 hours with this shovel, and further claim that they have loaded 225, 26-yard cars in 10 hours work. This work was on the Pennsylvania Railroad near Gary, Ind. This shovel is located in the yards of P. T. Clifford & Sons at Valparaiso, Ind. It is equipped with a 3½ yard dipper. Above figures were given to the writer by Mr. J. G. Keenan, engineer, and Mr. P. T. Clifford.

Patrick T. Clifford was the founder of the family business. A death notice published in the September 19, 1907, issue of The Chesterton Tribune provides historical context to Clifford's work on railroads:

IN MEMORIAM. Died, at the Christian hospital, Valparaiso, at one o'clock a. m., Thursday, Sept. 12, Patrick T. Clifford, after an illness of seven weeks, aged 84 years, 5 months and 25 days. The remains were removed to the family home three miles west of Valparaiso to lay in state until the funeral, which was held Saturday, Sept. 14, from St. Paul's Catholic church.

Deceased was born in the County of Kerry, Ireland, March 17, 1823. He came to this country in 1848, landing in Quebec. In 1854 he came to Porter county, which has been his home ever since. Shortly after his arrival in America, Mr. Clifford began railroad contracting, and followed the business until old age compelled him to retire. He had a large contract from the Pennsylvania railroad company in Ohio, and when he came to Valparaiso in 1854 it was to take another contract for grading the right of way for that line through this county. He came by way of Chesterton over the Lake Shore line, and brought with him several hundred people to work for him. The whole train was required to carry them and there was also a freight train loaded with mules, implements and household goods. Many of those who accompanied him settled in the county. On August 9, 1843, the deceased was married to Mary Bennett, to which union a family of seven children were born. The wife and four children preceded him to eternity, those surviving being P. W. and John B. Clifford of Valparaiso, and Mrs. P. O'Sullivan of Chicago.

Mr. Clifford was a man of generous impulses and never forgot the hospitable ways of the pioneer. The stranger, though a beggar, never failed to find food and shelter if he sought it at his hands, and he was at home beside the sick and delighted in all kinds of kind and neighborly offices. He had born adversity bravely and enjoyed propriety quietly. He had filled the various relations of life as son, husband, father, friend, and filled them well. Who can do more?

But he is gone! Another name is stricken from the ever lessening roll of our old settlers. His life work was done, and well done. He had passed the golden days of life and wearied with life's duties and cares, weary of suffering and waiting, he lay down to rest.

"Tired, ah, yes, so tired dear, I shall soundly sleep tonight, With never a dream and never a fear To wake in the morning light."

Deceased was a man of strong convictions, and candid, outspoken temper, eminently fitted to mould the rude elements of pioneer society into form and consistency, and aid in raising a high standard of citizenship in our young and growing state. How much Porter county owes him and such as he, it is impossible to estimate though it would be a grateful task to trace his influences through some of the most direct hcannels [sic, channels], to hold him up in his various characters of husband and father, of neighbor and friend, to speak of the sons and daughters he has reared to perpetuate his name and emulate his virtues. But it comes not within the scope of this brief article to do so. Suffice it to say he lived nobly and died peacefully after passing his eighty-fourth year. The stearn [sic, stern] Reaper found him, "as a shock of corn, fully ripe for the harvest."

Not for him be our tears! rather let us crown his grave with garlands; few of us will live as long or as well, and fewer yet will the Angel of Death greet with such a loving outch [sic, touch].

The following biography of Patrick W. Clifford, son of Patrick T. Clifford, published in Cannon et al. History of the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana Embracing the Counties of Lake, Porter and Laporte in 1927 also provides insight into the family's railroad contracting business:

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.

Sources: Fordham, Forrest. 1915. Illinois: Chicago and Vicinity. The Excavating Engineer 11(7):267.

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. [see pp. 641-642]

The Chesterton Tribune, Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana; September 19, 1907; Volume 24, Number 25, Page 3, Column 6. Column titled "In Memoriam."