G. L. Gifford hotel proprietor
and farmer, Littleport, is a native of Sherburn, Chenango
County, N. Y., born March 27, 1824, and is a son of Asa
W. and Huldah (Pendle) Gifford, natives of Vermont. His
father moved to New York in 1822 and in 1829 came to
Clayton County. He entered a farm and resided here until
1851, when he went to California, remaining four years,
then returned to Wyoming County, N. Y., where he still
resides. He is eighty-four and his wife is eighty-two
years old. G. L. Gifford came with his parents to this
county in 1839. He was the recipient of a practical
education and when twenty-one years of age entered 160
acres of land in Boardman Township. In 1852 he came to
Cox Creek Township, and preempted 200 acres of land, and
laid out the village of Littleport. He built a hotel, a
number of public buildings and otherwise improved the
town. In 1859 he visited Pike's Peak, Col., remaining one
year. On July 13, 1848, G. L. Gifford and Clarinda
Quigley were united in marriage. She was born in Indiana,
Feb. 20, 1830, and was a daugher of Dennis Quigley of
Kentucky, and Charity, nee Spoors, of Cattaraugus County,
N. Y. Seven children have been born unto them, viz.:
Esther, born Sept. 1, 1849, married John Gaylord; Amira,
born May 14, 1851, married S. L. Palmer; H. L., born Aug.
19, 1855, is married and resides at Mederville; P. P.,
born Oct. 23, 1857, is married and lives on the old
homestead; Ezra D., born Jan. 30, 1860, is attending the
Theological Seminary at Hillsdale, Mich., preparing for
the ministry; Annis, now Mrs. Michael Nelligan, was born
June 24, 1862; and Socrates R., born in June, 1853, and
died in July, 1859. Mr. Gifford resided in Independence,
Ia., one year where he built a fine brick hotel, which he
sold soon afterward. He has held many of the town
offices, and in politics affiliates with the Republican
party. He was Captain of the home guards during the war. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 744 |