People of Clifton
James Johnson, a senator from Kentucky, left his native state in 1815. He, his wife, seven sons, and four daughters came to Miami township and settled near Clifton. He purchase an 80 acre tract in Greene county, an 80 acre tract in Clark county, and rented an adjoining farm. They paid six dollars per acre for that land which had about 10 acres that were cleared. Good land in the county was sold at prices ranging from four to six dollars per acre. Land was offered at a much lower figure in the state of Indiana.
On the road leading from Clifton to Yellow Springs there lived two men, each named James Miller. To distinguish one from the other, they were given nicknames. The one man had congressional aspirations and was therefore nicknamed "Congress Miller." The second was a staunch, reliable citizen and was thereby named "Stand-by Miller."
Other notable people of Clifton include General Whiteman whose daring deeds during Indian oppression were well known. A man favorably known throughout the community was Joel Van Meter, the first elder of the Presbyterian Church at Clifton. Owen Davis was well known as the first owner of Clifton Mills.
The Cedarville News
Cedarville, Ohio
January, 1996
p. 8
Information from:
History of Greene County
by R.S. Dills,
Dayton, Ohio: 1881.