J. J. Clift

        J. J. Clift, farmer, and clerk in the Soddy Coal Company's store, was born May 28, 1838, in Hamilton County, where he now resides. He is the youngest of seven children born to William and Nancy A. (Brooks) Clift. William Clift was born December 5, 1795, in Greene County, Tenn., and came to Hamilton County about 1828. He organized the Seventh Tennessee Regiment, of which he was colonel, enlisted in the fall of 1861, and was a very warm supporter of the stars and stripes. Hearing that they were threatened by the Confederates, this regiment disbanded and fled to Kentucky. He was captured while returning from carrying some dispatches from Gen. Burnside to Gen. Rosecrans. He was taken to Atlanta, where he was retained in captivity about four mouths. He then made his escape in February, 1864, and reached home the same month. He was magistrate of his district eighteen years, and was also colonel of the State militia. He was greatly harassed by the Confederates during the late war, but to the last remained a stanch Union man. He was also a very fine business man, and when he died his effects were estimated to be worth $1,000,000. He died February 17, 1886, aged ninety. Mrs. Clift was born February 22, 1795, in East Tennessee; she died August 17, 1847. Our subject received a fair education in the common schools of Hamilton County, and finished at Sale Creek Academy. He married Miss Elizabeth L. Reveley, of Dayton, Tenn. Mrs. Clift was born February 12, 1843, and died February 12, 1870, leaving three children: Nancy A., W. Robert, and Elizabeth J., now attending the Female College, at Rogersville, Tenn. Mr. Clift and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Clift is a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for John Bell. He was elected justice of the peace in 1876, and still holds that office. He has given universal satisfaction in the discharge of the duties of this office. He has been deacon of the church to which he belongs for the past eight years.
Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887