Transcription
Kevin: This is Kevin Berner with part two of the Clifford Danforth story. In October 1901, Clifford was one of 38 members of the Farmers Creamery, which produced 250 pounds of butter daily. Clifford’s milk was recorded as having 5% butter fat. Clifford ran and milk dairy farm and delivered milk in a horse drawn carriage throughout the Jefferson area. His granddaughter, Georgiana Turner, recalled him teaching her how to milk cows. She also mentioned Clifford’s wife, Mary, was also often jealous of how much the women on his milk route adored him. In 1907, Clifford advertised piquant Indian runner duck eggs for sale, and by 1909 he had sold his herd of dairy cows to Eddie Topping of nearby Merchant Street. In 1910, he advertised cows, colts and other livestock for sale. By March 1911, Clifford began delivering Jersey milk, bottled on his farm. By 1912, he had a new delivery wagon. In 1915, he announced plans to breed thoroughbred Ayrshire cattle. The following year, as noted, there was a price increase for the milk that he delivered within the Jefferson Village. Milk tickets increased to $1 for 15 quarts in July 1917. Clifford ceased his milk delivery business after six years of service, but by April of 1918, he’d resumed deliveries. At some point, he served as director of the Jefferson’s Dairymen League Cooperative Association. Clifford was active in the Masonic Working Lodge, number 554 Jefferson for 34 years. He held various positions, including Junior Warden, Senior Warden, Secretary, Master of Ceremonies and Trustee. In April 1901, it was reported that Clifford and Fred Schrader had purchased 160 acre claims in Indian territory, which would be Oklahoma. But there’s no evidence that they followed through with this plan. Clifford served as a tax collector and in 1907 and 1908 in Jefferson.
He was involved in local civic activities such as serving on the Maple Avenue Sidewalk Committee in 1914, where he donated $0.50 to support the cause. In 1930, Clifford and his longtime friend Benona Hubbell were involved in redecorating the Lutheran Church in Central Bridge. They also painted many houses in Jefferson and the Masonic Hall. My father, who was Clifford’s grandson, remembered visiting him as a child. He fondly recalled the woodshed at the east end of Clifford’s house, filled with magazines and books that he eagerly read. George also remembered the family’s journey to Clifford’s house in their 1928 green Chevrolet, where the children rocked back and forth, struggling to help the vehicle make it up the steep hill to Jefferson. In July 1933, Clifford sent a letter to his sister Jennie, sharing the news of his farm and family. He mentioned that he had just finished haying, was dealing with the drought and had sold some livestock. He had an invitation to the Danforth family reunion that August, but sadly, Clifford passed away on August 13th, 1933, from complications of hardening of the arteries and heart disease. Clifford’s funeral was held on August 16th, 1933, and he was buried in Evergreen Cemetery.