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GEORGE A. STAFFORD. -- The Township of Delaware, in the county of the same name, has long been noted for its fine farms and excellent class of citizens, and a prominent representative the latter is found in the person of the subject of the following sketch.
George A. Stafford was born in Delaware county, Indiana, November 23, 1835, a son of Ralph and Jane (Black) Stafford, the former a native of Giles county, Virginia, born in 1806. Ralph Stafford was a son of George and Catherine (Fair) Stafford, both natives of Ireland. Mrs. Jane Black Stafford was born in Clarke County, Ohio, May 30, 1815, and was the daughter of Andrew and Susan (Ross) Black, whose genealogy appears elsewhere in this volume. The paternal grandparents of the subject located in Clarke County, Ohio, in 1811, and there engaged in farming and in superintending a tannery, and remained in that locality until the times of their demise, the father dying in 1876 and the mother in 1888.
Ralph Stafford was but a boy of five years when he accompanied his parents to Clarke County, and there he grew to manhood, attending the common school at intervals in the meantime. He early learned the trade of tanner and also that of shoemaking under the supervision of an uncle, John Black, with whom he remained for a term of two years, after which he went into partnership with Mr. Black, with whom he remained until 1835, when he came to Delaware County. He had visited this county in 1834, and entered 160 acres of land, returning again in September 1835. Here he built an old-fashioned log cabin, with puncheon floor, and this covered but half the area of the house. He remained on the place until 1854 and then removed to the farm now owned by his son, William, where he spent his declining years, departing this life August 12, 1876; his remains were laid to rest in the Black Cemetery. His wife survived him until December 21, 1888, at which time she was laid by his side in the same peaceful spot, where a beautiful monument marks their last resting place. For many years, they were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were well known and respected people. He had served as trustee and gave satisfaction as an honest official, and at the time of his death, he owned 484 acres of land in Delaware Township. They were the parents of five children, as follows: George A., James E., John H., William H. and Susan, deceased.
The immediate subject of this mention was reared on the home farm and received the advantages of a good education in the excellent common schools. He learned the trade of tanner, which he followed until twenty-four years of age, and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, renting land of his father. He was married April 16, 1867, at which date he located where he now resides, owning at this time 280 acres of very valuable land, and his crops annually go far to swell the yield of the great state. His residence is a modern one of beauty and utility, and his grounds display, in their neatness and completeness, the presence of an excellent manager.
Mr. Stafford votes with the Republican Party, and rejoices in its successes. Since 1864, he has been a member of the Masonic order. In June 1892, he became a director in the Farmers' Bank, of Muncie, and is largely interested in the same. He married Miss Sarah A. Zehner, who was born in Wayne County, Indiana, June 14, 1844, daughter of Benjamin and Hester (Hoppas) Zehner, of German ancestry, who were pioneers of Wayne County in 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford have a family of four children, as follows: David R.; Cyrus J., Emma C. and Ray J. The family is connected with the Lutheran and the Methodist churches are good and worthy people, highly esteemed in Delaware Township.
Mr. Stafford has been largely interested in and identified with the growth of the city of Muncie, having made a large purchase of real estate in 1887, which was laid out in city lots and known as the "Winton addition." He has since kept up his interests in Muncie by subsequent purchases, which have been profitable. He has just completed a large cracker factory, which will be one of the solid business industries of the city.
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Census:
- Listed as G. A. Stafford, a farmer, with wife, 2 sons David and Cyrus and a daughter Ellen. Father born in VA and mother born in OH.
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1835 - 1912 (76 years)
