| Notes |
- The death of D.C. Stafford, a pioneer resident of West union, occurred Friday afternoon at the home, after a painful illness of about two months. Mr. Stafford was past seventy-eight years of age. The funeral was held at 2 o'clock Monday from the home, conducted by Rev. H. C. Culver.
DeWitt Clinton Stafford was born Oct 18, 1838 in Auburn, Geauga County, Ohio and passed to his rest June 29, 1917.
He came with his parents to West Union in 1850. The town had just been laid out, and his father, Dr. Stafford, built and kept the first public house at this place,--the West Union House. Dr. Stafford was the first physician in Fayette County.
On September 15, 1862, DeWitt was united in marriage with Miss Martha McMasters. To them were born two children, a son Harry M. Stafford and a daughter, Miss Gertrude, both of West Union.
After his marriage Mr. Stafford taught school for a while. He attended school at Fayette in the early sixties, talking a business course. Later he engaged in the lumber business in West Union, and later still in the grocery business. He also followed farming as a means of livelihood, and had a good farm near the city of West Union.
Mr. Stafford has been an invalid for a number of years, and during his sickness was a great sufferer. He bore up bravely during his last sickness, and was patient and cheerful.
Only those who knew Mr. Stafford well could do justice to his many excellent traits of character. He was quiet and retiring in his disposition and habits, and was a great lover of his home. He was a particularly well read man, being versed in the best literature of his day. He was a man of integrity, and his kindly deed were many, but they were all done so quietly and unostentially that only his closest friends and those whom he helped ever knew of them. People in trouble came to him for his kindly advice, and never went away disappointed or unhelped. He was a good husband and a loving parent. One trait of character that bespeaks a kindly soul was his interest in flowers. he was a lover of nature in all her forms. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife and two children and many friends.
from the Newspaper Sept 7, 1911
Golden Wedding
Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Stafford Observe Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary of Marriage
-Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Stafford passed their golden wedding anniversary on Sunday, and a dinner party was given at their home in honor of the occasion Saturday evening by Mrs. H.M. Stafford and Miss Gertrude. Those present were about thirty, all relatives of the Stafford, McMasters, Gilbert and McGlatiery families and included the following from a distance: Mrs. Phillip Housy of Rockford, Ill, Ernest Moore of Turkey River Junction, and Master Edward Swartz, of Dubuqe. The place cards were wedding bells, and the dining room flowers were red and white. The parlors were decorated in yellow and lighted with candles. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford were given a beautiful anniversary clock by their friends.
Dewitt C. Stafford and Miss Martha McMasters, both of families who were among the earliest settlers of West Union, having come here in 1855, were united in marriage here Sept 24, 1861 by a Methodist minister, Rev. Mr. Welister. They have lived in West Union for the half century since enjoying the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends, who wish that they may continue to enjoy life of many years to come."
From the Fayette Co, Iowa historical society:
Census:
- Listed with wife, son Harry H. and daughter Gertrude E. Parents born in OH.
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1838 - 1917 (78 years)
