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Charles Warren Clifford (August 19, 1844 – September 14, 1923) was an American lawyer.
Charles Warren Clifford, son of Gov. John Henry Clifford and Sarah Parker Allen, was born August 19, 1844, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. being on his father's side a direct lineal descendant of Governor Thomas Mayhew, of Martha's Vineyard, and on his mother's side of Capt. Myles Standish, of Plymouth. He was fitted for college at the old "Friends' Academy," then in charge of the late T. Prentiss Allen. Entering Harvard College at the age of seventeen, he soon won the respect and esteem of his instructors, as well as his fellows, and after having borne a prominent part in all the literary and social enterprises of his time, graduated with full honors in July, 1865.
Never, from his earliest years, having a doubt as to the choice of a profession, he at once began the study of the law. which he pursued under instruction from Hon. E. H. Bennett, of Taunton, Hon. John C. Dodge, of Boston, and at the Harvard Law School, and after being admitted to the bar, in New Bedford, at the June term, 1868, began practice in the office formerly occupied by his father. Here he practiced alone until February, 1869, when the firm of Marston & Crapo was formed, of which he continued a member until its dissolution in April, 1878. He then became an active partner of the firm of Crapo, Clifford & Clifford, one of the two firms formed principally from the members of the old firm of Marston & Crapo.
On May 5,1869. he married Frances Lothrop, daughter of Charles L. Lothrop and Elizabeth T. Wood, of New Bedford, who died April 28, 1872, and on March 15, 1876, he married Wilhelmina H. Crapo, daughter of the late Governor Henry H. Crapo, of Michigan, and a sister of his partner, Hon. William W. Crapo.
While a member of the firm of Marston & Crapo, he was constantly associated as junior counsel with Hon. George Marston in the trial of important causes, the preparation of which was frequently entrusted to him, and the training and valuable experience derived from this association, soon bore its fruit in the recognition of a legal ability of a high order, and a maturity of thought and judgment, which rendered him a wise and valued counselor, and which led to his appointment as one of the commissioners to revise the judiciary system of the Commonwealth in 1876, an appointment received by the profession as one eminently fit to be made. In 1891 he received the almost unanimous support of the bar of Massachusetts for an appointment as Judge of the Circuit Court of the United States.
Loyal to the principles of the Republican party, and earnest and energetic in maintaining its integrity and influence, he has ever been found in the front rank of its active supporters, and several times as chairman of the Republican City Committee of New Bedford, as delegate to, and assistant secretary of the 1880 Republican National Convention at Chicago; later as a member of the Republican Slate Central Committee of Massachusetts, and as manager of the campaign of Hon. William W. Crapo, for the gubernatorial nomination in 1882, has shown a readiness and ability to do whatever should be required of him as a supporter of Republican principles, and in these various positions has rendered valuable service to his party.
His association with the late Charles L. Wood, his father-in-law, and one of the leading merchants of New Bedford, following upon an early inculcation of business habits and methods by his distinguished father, enabled him to obtain a practical education in affairs, such as is acquired by few lawyers, and this, coupled with a natural aptitude for business questions, has not only secured for him many clients among the business institutions of New Bedford, but has been the means of his aid and counsel being sought for in the organization of new enterprises, and in the conduct and direction of those already established and secure.
Mr. Clifford's success as a lawyer is due not less to his natural and acquired ability than to the fact that his sphere of life was determined by himself and his parents from the beginning, and it may be truly said, that he commenced the study of his profession in his earliest boyhood. To a clear, discriminating, and capacious mind and the results of earnest study under the best of teachers, he adds an enthusiastic love of the law, most vigorous and efficient action in the understanding of his causes, scrupulous fidelity to his clients in all emergencies, and a chivalrous sense of professional and personal honor. Among the younger members of the bar he preserves all the freshness and humor of boyhood, and among the seniors he sustains the dignity of a recognized equal, and his social qualities render him a most delightful companion and friend.
Mr. Clifford was Civil Service Commissioner of Massachusetts, November, 1884 to July 1888, being one of the original board which devised and established the present system in Massachusetts. He is a commissioner of the United States Circuit Court; a member of the Standing Committee upon Commercial Law, American Bar Association; one of the Standing Examiners of Applicants for admission to the Bar, Bristol County; one of the Committee of Arrangements of the 250th Anniversary of Harvard College. Mr. Clifford was president of the Southern Massachusetts Telephone Company, and of the Masonic Building Association ; chairman of the Assessors of the First Congregational Society ; vice-president of St. Luke's Hospital, and of the Harvard Club of New Bedford ; trustee of the Swain Free School, the Wamsutta Club, New Bedford Institution of Savings, and of several estates; director of the National Bank of Commerce, New Bedford Manufacturing Company, Howland Mills, N. B. Copper Company. Rotch Spinning Company, Potomska Mills, Oneko Woolen Mills, Davis Coast Wrecking Company.
He was one of the Advisory Committee of the Association for the Relief of Aged Women, and the Ladies' Branch of the N. B. Port Society. Mr. Clifford was the first president of the N. B. Opera House Association. He delivered, April 30 1889, an oration in the Rink at the celebration of the Centennial of the Inauguration of George Washington as president of the United States. He made an eloquent address at the meeting of the Bristol County bar, on the death of George Marston, and delivered an address at the organization of the John Henry Clifford Sons of Veterans.
Mr. Clifford was one of nine children born born to his parents, Gov. John Henry Clifford and Sarah Parker (Allen) Clifford, the complete list as follows: Ruth (born 1833, died 1843). Mary (born 1836, died 1842), Anna (born 1838), Edward Everett (born 1840, died 1842), Robert Winthrop (born 1842, died 1843), Charles Warren (born 1844, died 1923), Ellen (born 1846, died 1930), Walter (born 1849, died 1912), Arthur (born 1851, died 1881).
Buried at Rural Cemetery