| Clifton N. McArthur | |
| Image Name: | Clifton McArthur, W.C. Hawley, N.J. Sumiott, 2-21-23 LOC npcc.07837 (cropped).jpg |
| State: | Oregon |
| District: | 3rd |
| Party: | Republican |
| Term: | March 4, 1915 – March 3, 1923 |
| Preceded: | Walter Lafferty |
| Succeeded: | Elton Watkins |
| Office2: | 24th Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives |
| Term2: | 1909–1910 1913–1914 |
| Preceded2: | Frank Davey John P. Rusk |
| Succeeded2: | John P. Rusk Ben Selling |
| Birth Date: | June 10, 1879 |
| Death Place: | Portland, Oregon |
| Spouse: | Lucille Smith |
| Occupation: | attorney |
Clifton Nesmith McArthur (June 10, 1879 – December 9, 1923) was a U.S. Representative from Oregon, and grandson of Senator James Willis Nesmith. His father was a member of the Oregon Supreme Court, and Clifton twice served as Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives.
McArthur was born in The Dalles, Oregon on June 10, 1879.[1] He was the eldest son of Lewis Linn McArthur, who served on the Oregon Supreme Court, and his wife, the former Harriet K. Nesmith.[2] Clifton's only brother was Lewis A. McArthur, who would write the first edition of the Oregon Geographic Names.[2] Clifton attended the public schools at Rickreall, and the Bishop Scott Academy in Portland. In 1901 he graduated from the University of Oregon.[1]
After college he worked as a reporter for the Morning Oregonian from 1901 to 1903. McArthur then engaged in agricultural pursuits near Rickreall from 1903 to 1906 and studied the law in order to become a lawyer. He was admitted to the bar in 1906 and commenced practice in Portland.[1] On June 25, 1913, he married Lucille Smith, and they would not have any children.[2]
In 1908, McArthur served as secretary of the Republican State central committee. Then from 1908 until 1911 he was secretary to Oregon Governor Frank W. Benson.[1] During part of this time he was elected to serve in the State house of representatives in 1909 and 1913 as a Republican representing Multnomah County.[3] McArthur served as Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives in 1909 and 1913.[4]
Clifton McArthur was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-fourth and to the three succeeding Congresses, serving from March 4, 1915 until March 3, 1923.[1] He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election in 1922 to the Sixty-eighth Congress.
McArthur resumed the practice of his profession and his former business activities in Portland, Oregon, where he died December 9, 1923, following what was described as a "supposedly routine sinus operation".[5] He remains were cremated and the ashes deposited in the vaults of the Portland Cremation Association.[1]