Iowa
Old Press
THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
August 7, 1924
FORMER RESIDENT PASSES AWAY
Mrs. A.P. Stafford Dies at Her Home In Nebraska City Monday
Nebraska City suffered a severe loss in the death of Mrs. Amos P.
Stafford, which occurred this Monday morning at 3:10 o'clock at
her home, Ninth street and Third Avenue, after an illness of six
weeks. Her demise was expected, as her condition has been such
for several days that no hopes for recovery were entertained. She
suffered from neuritis. Mrs. Stafford was born July 28, 1850, at
Shelbyville, Indiana, and when young moved to Hamburg, Iowa,
where she was married to Mr. Stafford. The family moved to this
city thirty-six years ago, and was among our most prominent
people. Socially Mrs. Stafford was classed among the leaders, as
but few functions were held at which she was not an honored
guest, and an invitation to her hospitable home meant an
enjoyable time.It is in the Episcopal church where she will be
most greatly missed, as she was an active worker in all societies
of the church, holding the most important offices--positions that
carried with them the need of good judgement, hard work, and
constant application. These positions she filled with honor and
credit to the church and herself.She was an active member of the
Nebraska City Musical Club, and in this year's book is named as
one of the hostesses. She was a woman of deeds and action, one
who seldom told of her many acts of kindness, of her aid and
assistance rendered to the unfortunate. There was no home too
lowly, no hovel in whicb poverty pinched, no appeal for aid to
which she did not respond, and no sufffering so distressing that
she would not render prompt and valuable assistance. Could it be
known the number of homes of the poor, and distressed she had
visited the people of this clty would utter exclamations of
astonishment. For twenty-eight consecutive years she served
faithfully as treasurer of the Helping Hand society and
Associated Charities and in all those years she was associated
closely with those suffering from privations, from distitution,
and the ailments akin to poverty. In the sick room she was an
angel of mercy; to the needy a messenger who brought assistance,
to the afflicted a ray of light and encouragement, and in her
errands of mercy she left the impress of kindness and gentleness
that won the hearts of all. She was imposed upon by those who had
no right to appeal for charity, but if ever she made a mistake
and permitted herself to be imposed upon it was out of the
largeness of her heart. Almost without number the shoeless and
coatless boy and the girl scantily clad have appealed to her for
assistance and they never went away empty handed. Clothing she
furnished to the destitute; coal and wood to the fireless, and to
other such supplies as were needed. An active worker in the Home
for the Friendless, she took many children to the Home and saw
that they were provided with foster parents who would properly
care for them. Her place will be hard to fill. She is survived by
her husband and the following children: Mrs. Franklyn Patterson,
of Chicago; Mrs. H. D. Wilson and Mrs. A. P. Ginn, of this city,
and five grandchildren. The funeral will be held Wednesday
afternoon at 4 o'clock, and will be private. The services will be
conducted by Rev. L. D. Smith, of the Episcopal church. The
family requests that no flowers be sent --Nebraska City News.
Mrs. Stafford had many friends among the older residents of
Sidney, where the family once resided. Her husband, A. P.
Stafford, was auditor of Fremont county from 1876 to 1882.
[submitted by W.F., March 2004]