Henry Stafford Whitford (1808 - 1896)

Born 6 Feb 1808 in Kent County, Rhode Island

Husband of Sarah Ann Downing — married 1840 in Adams County, Illinois

Died 2 Jun 1896 at age 88 in Golden, Adams County, Illinois

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Biography

Henry was born in 1808. He passed away in 1896.

HENRY S. WHITFORD, who is engaged in farming on section 7 Clayton Township, is numbered among the honored pioneers of this county for since an early day he has been prominently identified with the history of the community. He was born in Kent County, RI, December 6, 1808, and his early life was spent in the State of his nativity where he acquired his education in the common schools.

October 20, 1829, Mr. Whitford was united in marriage with Miss Mary James. The result of this union was one daughter,

• Mary, who was born in the year 1831.

Mr. Whitford chose for his second wife, Miss Sarah Ann Downing, their union being celebrated in 1840. They became parents of nine children

• Albert, born in 1840 married Pauline Curry and died at his home in Denver, Colo in 1891.
• James, born in 1841 wedded Mary Reams and is a farmer of Missouri
• Asenath, born in 1843 died in infancy
• Lydia, born in 1844 is the wife of Albert Peden and resides in Missouri
• Charles G., born in 1846 died in 1864
• Edward C., born in 1848 married Emma Strickler and makes his home in Missouri
• John S., born in 1850 is married and resides in Denver, Colo
• Harriet born in 1852 died in 1870
• Nancy born in 1854 died in 1857

The mother of this family was called to her final rest in 1856 and in 1861, Mr. Whitford was married to Miss Myra C. Clark. Five children grace this union:

• Henry. born in 1861 is at home
• Alice born in 1862 is the wife of John Wallace
• Dora A., born in 1863 is at home
• Fannie C., born in 1865 married Charles Downing and resides in Hancock County Ill and
• Daniel born in 1867 is at home acre.

The year 1833 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Whitford in this county. He located in Clayton Township, purchasing one hundred and forty acres of land from the Government at 1.25 per. With characteristic energy he began the development of his farm transformed the wild prairie into rich and fertile fields and made many excellent improvements and now has one of the finest farms of the community. It comprises three hundred and thirty acres of land valued at 60 per acre. He also raises fine stock making a specialty of cattle.

Mr. Whitford and a portion of his family are members of the Methodist Church with which he has been connected for forty years. In politics he was an old line Whig but since the organization of the Republican party, has been one of its stanch supporters. He came to Adams County when there were but few families in Clayton Township and for the long period of sixty years has been identified with the growth and upbuilding of this community and has aided in its best interests. He has proved himself a valued citizen and is numbered among the honored pioneers of the county.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Portrait and Biographical Record of Adams County, Illinois, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, 1892, page 300

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42440091/henry-stafford-whitford: accessed 19 January 2024), memorial page for Henry Stafford Whitford (6 Feb 1808–2 Jun 1896), Find a Grave Memorial ID 42440091, citing Hebron Cemetery, Camp Point Township, Adams County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Nick Hyslop (contributor 46610856).