Joseph H. Stafford

As printed in 1908

JOSEPH H. STAFFORD, owner of sixty acres of farm land on the west foundry line of Clark County, in Pike Township, has been, up to date, a life resident of that community. He was born October 3, 1848, on the home farm, and is a son of Finley and Catherine (Mitchell) Stafford.

Finley Stafford was born on the old home place, on which his son, Joseph, now lives, in 1818, and was a son of George Stafford, who came from Virginia at a very early day and entered 219 acres of land. He had a large family of children, of whom Finley was the youngest son. The latter was born in the old log house on the farm, and during his younger days assisted greatly in clearing the land of its heavy timber. In his later days he erected a good substantial brick house on the place, the one in which his son, Joseph H., now lives. He was joined in marriage with Catherine Mitchell, a native of Miami County, Ohio, and a daughter of Howard Mitchell. They lived on the old Stafford farm until 1887, when he retired from business activity and located at New Carlisle, where his death occurred in 1894. They were parents of seven children, as follows: Loretta, who died young; Joseph Howard, whose name heads this biography; Edwin, who died in childhood; Albert, who owns a farm of ninety-eight acres adjoining that of Joseph H., and lives at New Carlisle with his mother; Clara, who died young; Laura Cecil, who is the wife of Tully J. Scarff, of Clark County; and Charles Pence, who lives in Ilhnois.

Joseph H. Stafford was reared and educated in Pike Township, attending the common schools. He was born in the old log cabin which stood on the home place for many years, and has lived on this farm all his life except two years spent

AND EEPPtESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

on his Grandfather Mitchell's farm after the latter 's death. He has followed general farming, raising some stock, and has met with good success.

Mr. Stafford was married July 3, 1874, to Miss Laura B. Black, a daughter of Eobert and Ann (Wallace) Black, and they have five children — Florence; Carrie F. (wife of Charles C. Wilson, by whom she has a son — Allen S.); Ross G.; Walter T.; and Grace. Fraternally, our subject is a member of Lodge No. 505, I. 0. 0. F., at New Carlisle, and also belongs to New Carlisle Encampment No. 222, I. 0. 0. F.

As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.