| Notes |
Samuel S. Stafford passed away May 4, 1904. The direct cause of his death was from a wound received during the Civil War. At the age of twenty years, Mr. Stafford entered Oxford Academy to prepare for a college education, in the meantime teaching four terms of district school. At the call of President LINCOLN, July 2, 1862, for three hundred thousand men, the 114th Regiment of volunteers was formed. Major O. H. CURTIS, a young lawyer in Oxford, enlisted Company A, which Mr. Stafford joined July 23, 1862. He was commissioned a First Lieutenant, with rank from August 6, 1862, and was presented with a handsome sword, sash and belt by the officers and men of Co. A. He served with his regiment until March 11, 1863, when he was detailed a member of a General Court Martial sitting at Brashear City, Louisiana. The court was in session one month, after which Lieutenant Stafford joined his regiment, and participated in the battle of Fort Bisland, the skirmish at Franklin and the siege of Port Hudson. It was at Port Hudson, July 11, 1863, while bravely leading his men on the assault of the enemy's breast works, that he received the wound that eventually caused his death. He was sent home to recuperate, and for ten months was confined to his bed, and July 8, 1864, was honorably discharged on "account of wound received in action."
While recovering from his wound Mr. Stafford was tendered the nomination for Member of Assembly by the Republican party, an office he had not sought and was ignorant of the fact that he was to be thus honored. He accepted the nomination, was elected and went to Albany on crutches, serving in the Legislature of 1865. On his return from the Assembly he studied law with Solomon BUNDY, was admitted to practice and elected to the office of School Commissioner for the second district of the county, and later appointed one of its Loan Commissioners, an office he held for several terms. He was Supervisor of the town for three years, 1886 to 1888, and for many years corporation attorney for the village. To all elective offices he received nearly the unanimous vote of his party, and has left a clean and bright record. As a lawyer, his office work was perfect, and as a counselor he was a model, for no opinions were given without mature deliberation and in belief that they were for the best interest of the client, though they might contrary to his expectations.
Mr. Stafford was a Past Master of Oxford Lodge, No. 175, F. & A.M.; served one term as District Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic district; was Past Commander of Breed Post, No. 196, G.A.R., and secretary of the 114th Regimental Association. To these organizations he was devoted and gave much attention and counsel. With Major CURTIS he did much to keep up the regimental reunions and perpetuate the regiment's glorious achievements. He was a communicant of St. Paul's church, and a member of the vestry. Mr. Stafford was the eldest son of Job and Wealthy Stafford, and was born June 8, 1837, in Preston, N. Y. He married December 12, 1866, Mary A. GILBERT of Oxford.
Samuel S. STAFFORD was born in Preston, N.Y., June 8, 1837. He read law with Solomon BUNDY and was admitted in May, 1867, when he commenced practice in Oxford, where he has since continued. Previous to commencing the study of law he spent ten terms in the Oxford Academy, closing in June, 1862. He entered the army as First Lieutenant of Co. A., 114th Regiment, and was wounded in the leg in a reconnaissance during the siege of Port Hudson, on the 11th of June, 1863, from the effects of which he was discharged July 8, 1863. He was a Member of Assembly from this county in 1865; was School Commissioner of the 2nd District of Chenango county in 1867, '8 and '9; was Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue one year; for nine years preceding May, 1879, village Treasurer; and is now serving the seventh year as Loan Commissioner.
Census:
- Listed as Samuel Stafford in the housefhold of Elnathan and Charlotte Puffer.
- Listed as Saml Stafford, a lawyer, with wife Mary.
- Listed as a lawyer with wife and daughter. Parents born in NY.
Buried:
Inscription
LIEUT. CO. A. 114TH REG.
NY. VOL. INF.
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1837 - 1904 (66 years)
