J. R. Clifford
Born 1848 in Hardy Co. A Civil War vet., Storer College graduate, teacher and principal at local Sumner School. Published Pioneer Press (1882), first African American paper in state. First of race to pass state bar exam (1887); argued two race discrimination cases before Supreme Court. A founder of Niagra Movement, a predecessor of NAAC_, and its 1906 Harpers Ferry meeting. Died Martinsburg, 1933.
Marker is on West Martin Street west of Raleigh Street, on the left when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
