"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 491.  Grant County.

HON. MORTON D. CLIFFORD

     While every true American rejoices in the grand freedom that our matchless
democratic institutions furnish to the law-abiding citizens, there is no less
comfort and satisfaction in the strong bulwark of law that with its stern hand
renders possible the proper enjoyment of true freedom while it holds in check
that foul counterfeit, license, that strives to checkmate and absorb the benign
influence of the salutary restraints that wise legislators have place about our
firesides and political creations.  With courage and spirit never overmastered,
with hardy endurance and continuity unparalleled, our forefathers asked for, and
then fought until they obtained the birthright of self government and then
demonstrated to an amazed world of spectators their deep sagacity as modern
Solons by creating in the midst of the throes of a desperate struggle of death,
the solid constitutional foundation, and rearing thereupon the magnificent
superstructure of statute law, the most brilliant, wise, and practical that had
hitherto been wrought in words by human beings.  To such a legacy have the
American people fallen heirs and it requires no less erudition and probity
coupled with a masterful executive power to properly expound, apply, and execute
these sound principles of justice and equity than was displayed at their
marvelous inception and codification.  However, let it be mentioned to the
praise of this free nation, that there has never been wanting a son of freedom
to rest in the sear of our distinguished ancestors who could and did with honor
to his predecessor carry out the spirit of the wisdom manifested in the primary
expression of these wise principles.  Mighty statesmen and eminent jurists have
been in the number form the supreme bench to the remotest parts of the great
domain and it is with great pleasure that we are enable to state, that although
not yet in a federal position so marked by exaltation as some enjoy, yet none
the less distinguished by his depth of wisdom and sound principles and sterling
qualities, coupled with unswerving integrity and unstained honor, stands the
faithful expounder of the laws whose  name initiates this paragraph and to whom
we are desirous of granting this slight mention.
     Morton D. Clifford was born May 24, 1859, in Iowa, being the son of Harmon
and Jane (Mahon) Clifford.  In 1870 he accompanied his mother to Oregon and
settled at Canyon City, living first on a ranch and securing what school
privileges he was enabled to, but constantly giving himself to good reading and
investigation.  His stock of information, was so thorough and full that he was
warranted in beginning the practice of law at The Dalles when he was twenty
years of age, doing his initiative work in the office of Hill & Mayes, of that
place, where also he continued for two years and then was admitted to the bar of
the state.  Following his admission, he came to Canyon City, and set up the
practice of law.  Two years later, he had risen so rapidly and displayed such a
breadth of information and depth of legal understanding that the people asked
him to accept the position of district attorney of the sixth judicial district.
This position was filled faithfully and with manifestation of ability until the
expiration of his term in 1888, when he again resumed the practice of law.  In
1890 he was appointed by the governor to fill the unexpired term of L. B. Ison
as judge of the same district, serving for two years, then he was elected to a
six years' term of the same position and at its expiration he was elected  to a
six years' term of judge of the ninth judicial district, this having been formed
from the old sixth.  At the present time he is holding his position, and it is
with credit to his whole district, for his universal fairness and marked skill
and deep knowledge of both the law and the spirit of equity have justly made him
renowned.
     Judge Clifford and Miss Edith, daughter of Judge G. I. and Emiline
(McCullum) Hazeltine, were married in August, 1885, at Canyon City and to them
have been born two children, Harold and Emma.  In political matters the Judge is
associated with the Democrats.  Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Masonic
lodge No. 60, at Prairie city, and in 1883 he received the degree of Royal Arch
in Chapter No. 7, Canyon City, where he held the position of high priest; he
also is a member of the Washington Council, No. 3 of royal and select masters,
and of the high priesthood in the state commandery,  No. 1, Walla Walla; also
received the thirty-second degree of Scottish rite at Portland and was elected
junior grandwarden of the grand lodge of Oregon in 1891, and senior grand warden
in 1892, deputy grand master in 1893, and grand master in 1895; he also belongs
to the I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 22 of Canyon City.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2005 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.