Captain Jonathan F. Sanford

SANFORD, HEPNER, DILLENBECK, HAMBRIGHT

Posted By: Jacie Thomsen (email)
Date: 5/10/2014 at 14:39:22

Tipton Advertiser 23 Feb 1928, pg 4 col 4-6

JONATHAN FOSTER SANFORD

In the death of Captain Sanford, a pioneer and veteran of the Civil War, has answered the final summons. A great lover of home, a citizen who offered himself in the hour of his country's need, a community builder, he was held in the highest respect and esteem by all who knew him. For the last seventeen years Mr. Sanford has made his home with his daughters in Perry. At the time of his death, he was at the home of his daughter, Mrs. B.C. Dillenbeck.

Jonathan Foster Sanford, son of Major and Mrs. Wm. Sanford, of New York, was born Feb. 26, 1837 in Vernon, Jennings Co., Indiana. Death came to him Saturday, Feb. 11, after a long illness. He had passed the fourscore years and ten. Mr. Sanford in his early manhood had moved to Stark County, Indiana, where he was united in marriage to Caroline R. Hepner, on May 3, 1861. To this union two sons and three daughters were born. The two sons, Earnest and Earl and his wife preceeded him in death. His daughters are Mrs. Leota Walters, of California, Mrs. J.E. Hambright and Mrs. B.C. Dillenbeck of Perry. Besides the three daughters, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild cherish the memory of a loved one.

Mr. Sanford answered the call of his country and enlisted in Company D, 29th Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, in the fall of 1861. He served during the entire war having advanced to the rank of Captain of his Company. He was in numerous engagements, escaped injury and was mustered out with a splendid military record.

At the close of the war, Mr. Sanford with his family, moved to Tipton, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. He took an active part in the city and country affairs, serving in a number of public offices. Shortly after Mr. and Mrs. Sanford celebrated their golden anniversary they moved to Perry to make their home near their children. Mrs. Sanford passed away shortly after their arrival. Mr. Sanford was a member of the Modern Woodmen and the G.A.R. During his last years he withdrew from the intense activities of early life and lived in retirement.

Mr. Sanford was a great lover of home. When he went into the service he left a bride of but a few months. All thru the four years of service she shared his trials and hardships as only a companion who carried on back home could. They were privileged to continue their companionship until they observed the golden wedding anniversary, a significant half century in American life.

Mr. Sanford was an outstanding pioneer. There were only twenty six states when he was born, thirteen had been added to the original thirteen colonies before his day. The seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, was soon to leave the White House. The first President of the United States had assumed that office less than half a century before. He was nine years old when the Mexican War broke out and twenty-four when the Civil War began. Mr. Sanford was born in the year of the great financial crisis, 1837. Into that Indiana home came the trials and tribulations that beset the whole nation but also with it came the great joy of a new life with its challenging call to faith, courage, and heroism. Mr. Sanford was a man of fine integrity, loyal to his country and its institutions. As a pioneer, as a citizen, as a soldier, as a home builder he was greatly loved and held in the highest esteem.

Funeral services were held at the Bessmer Funeral Home, Monday morning, February 13 at nine-thirty. There was a presentation of the flag by the local post. The services were conducted by Rev. Peter Jacobs, minister of the First Congregational church, Perry, and Mrs. Earl White, Reader, of First Christian Science church, Perry, Mrs. Leslie Burrell sang two solos, Mrs. George Stevenson, playing the accompaniments. The pall bearers were Mr. Harry Marchres, Mr. Tom Turner, Mrs. L.A. French, Mr. S.H. Jones, Mr. C.E. Brown, Mr. Earl White. The body was taken to Tipton, Iowa, the former home, where the final services were held in the Presbyterian church, Tuesday afternoon, Rev. W.E. Van Buren officiating. Burial was made in the family plot, at the Masonic cemetery.