CHARLES WALFORD

WALFORD

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/21/2020 at 16:47:40

CHARLES WALFORD, postmaster of Hayes, Adams county, Iowa, was born in England, September 12, 1826. His parents, Charles and Ann (Allbut) Walford, both natives of England, came with their family to America in 1849, and settled on a farm in Peoria county, Illinois. There his father died in June, 1866, at the age of seventy years. He was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church and while in England was a local preacher. His wife did not long survive him, her death occurring in January, 1867, at the age of sixty-six years. She, too, from her early youth was an earnest Christian and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of the eight children born to them four are still living.

Charles was twenty-two and a half years old when he emigrated with his parents to this country, sailing from London to New York and landing at the latter port after a pleasant voyage of thirty-five days. He was engaged in farming in Peoria county, Illinois, before coming to Iowa. In the fall of 1871 he came out here and bought eighty acres of wild land, and in May, 1873, moved his family to it. This farm is located in section 15, Lincoln township, Adams county, and here he has since resided. His property is now well improved and he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He has a comfortable cottage home and is pleasantly situated. He was appointed postmaster of Hayes in 1878, since which time he has acceptably filled the office; he has also served as secretary of the township since 1881.

Mr. Walford was married, first in Peoria county, Illinois, to Miss Rachael Rebecca Chisman, in March, 1856, who died the death of the righteous the following August. In April, 1858 he again entered the bonds of matrimony with Miss Martha A. Gregg, of that county, by whom he had three children, Richard Henry, John A. and Charles E. Richard H. lives on a farm in Nebraska; is married to Miss Rose Allard and has two children, Roy and Mary; John A. lives on a farm in Nebraska and Charles E. is managing the home place. The mother of these children died at the age of forty years. She was a most estimable woman and a member of the Methodist church. March 17, 1874, Mr. Walford wedded Miss Mary A. Frederick, daughter of Abram and Mary Frederick, who were born, lived and died in Pennsylvania, the father passing away at the age of sixty- four years, and the mother at forty-six. Both were church members. Mr. and Mrs. Walford are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is an ardent Republican, always identified with the best elements of his party.