HR1241 LRB093 23924 KXB 54014 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Clifton
4 Herford on August 31, 2004; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Clifton Herford was born on May 1, 1899 to the
6 union of Meley and Mose Herford; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Mr. Herford spent the early years of his life in
8 Huntsville, Alabama, where he worked on the roads, in the
9 fields, and on the tracks; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Because of his unique athletic ability, he was
11 drawn to the sport of baseball; he was an avid sportsman who
12 played shortstop for the Mose Mill Baseball Team, which was a
13 part of the now-famous Negro American Baseball League; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Mr. Herford left Huntsville, Alabama in 1923 and
15 moved to Chicago, his second home, where he married Eldna
16 Brown, who preceded him in death in 1989; and
 
17     WHEREAS, Mr. Herford found employment with the Benefield
18 Glass Company, where he remained until his retirement at age of
19 66; and
 
20     WHEREAS, On December 19, 1965, he joined Park Manor
21 Christian Church under the pastorate of Rev. Charles H. Webb,
22 Sr.; in 1967 he began serving as the church custodian and he
23 faithfully remained in that position until 1996, when he
24 retired at the age of 97; in 30 years of service, Mr. Herford
25 seldom missed a day of work and he was honored and recognized
26 by Park Manor Christian Church as one of its four centenarians;
27 and
 
28     WHEREAS, Mr. Herford distinguished himself by being a

 

 

HR1241 - 2 - LRB093 23924 KXB 54014 r

1 member of many organization in the Park Manor community; he
2 served as the treasurer of the 73rd and Rhodes Block Club and
3 he was a member of the Park Manor Neighbors; and
 
4     WHEREAS, When he reached the age of 100, Mr. Herford
5 received recognition and accolades from churches, community
6 organizations, the City of Chicago, and the State of Illinois;
7 by the time he reached the age of 105, he was the senior
8 resident in the Park Manor Community, giving him the
9 distinction of being "The King of the Park Manor Community";
10 and
 
11     WHEREAS, The passing of Clifton Herford will be deeply felt
12 by many, especially his son, Leonard Newman, his daughter,
13 Bernice Herford, his stepson, James Benton (Margarite), his
14 granddaughters, Patricia Rogers, Rosalyn Gambrell, and Debra
15 Newman; his grandson Leonard Newman, Jr.; his
16 great-granddaughters Robin Gambrell and Cherie Newman; his
17 great-grandsons Andrae Cowans and Marcus Rogers; therefore, be
18 it
 
19     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
20 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
21 mourn the passing of Clifton Herford along with all who knew
22 and loved him and extend our sincere condolences to his family
23 and friends; and be it further
 
24     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
25 presented to the family of Clifton Herford as an expression of
26 our deepest sympathy.