Description: Darius Mitteer Ratcliff, (Hamilton, New York, abt. 1912) I will be posting on this blog the poetry and writings of my maternal grandfather, Rev. Darius Mitteer Ratcliff. I came across these writings in my mother’s personal effects after her death in 2007. The poetry was written by my grandfather and was included in letters written…
Darius Mitteer Ratcliff, ( Hamilton, New York , abt. 1912 )
I will be posting on this blog the poetry and writings of my maternal grandfather, Rev. Darius Mitteer Ratcliff. I came across these writings in my mother’s personal effects after her death in 2007. The poetry was written by my grandfather and was included in letters written to my mother, Elizabeth Louise Ratcliff Downs, a.k.a. Betty Ratcliff Downs, during the 1940’s. His writing reflects his love of Christ and his love for his church.
My grandfather, Darius Mitteer Ratcliff, was born near Ferndale, Sullivan County, New York on October 20, 1886. He was the second child of Charles Benton and Louise Mitteer Ratcliff. When he was about a year old his family moved to a farm near Hurleyville, New York . He attended high school in the nearby village of Liberty graduating in 1905. During these high school years due to the influence of his mother, grandmother, and aunt, he grew in his relationship to Christ and decided that full time ministry wa