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JOHN STAFFORD, residing on section 33, Morning Sun Township, is among the prominent and leading farmers and stock-raisers of Louisa County. He was born Oct. 20, 1828, in Kent County, Del., and is a son of Balaam and Mary (Caproon) Stafford, who were natives of Delaware. To them five children were born: Ann Eliza, who wedded Asher P. Bevans, a resident of Osceola, Iowa; Mary J. first wedded John Brownfield, and after H. S. F. Bevans; they are now residing at Morning Sun, Iowa. Matilda became the wife of Hiram Fickill, who is a resident of Osceola, Iowa; Rebecca is the wife of Moses Chilson. The family moved from Delaware to Franklin County, Ohio, in 1838, residing there until 1841, when they emigrated to Peoria County, Ill., where the father purchased a small farm. In that county the children received their education and grew to manhood and womanhood.
Our subject was the first of the family to come to Iowa, he settling in Louisa County in 1852, entering eighty acres of wild prairie land upon which not a stock of timber could be seen, with the exception of the little log cabin, sixteen feet square. On the 13th of April, 1853, Mr. Stafford took up his residence on his claim, and began building fences and breaking the wild land with four to six yoke of oxen. He has never had one cent given him since 1853, and his success in life has certainly been most praiseworthy. In 1856 the loved ones whom he had left in Peoria County, Ill., came to his new home, and in Louisa County his father purchased a farm of eighty acres, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in February, 1865, his wife surviving him many years, her death occurring in 1881. They were both active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were among the highly honored citizens of the county.
On the 29th of August, 1850, in Peoria County, Ill., the marriage of John Stafford and Miss Della Bevans was celebrated. The lady was born in Highland County, Ohio, July 19, 1832, and is a daughter of John and Margaret (Frost) Bevans, who were natives of Pennsylvania, though both are now deceased, the mother having died about the year 1848, the father being called to his final rest in 1865. They were also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which organization Mr. Bevans was a prominent worker.
Mr. and Mrs. Stafford have been the parents of five children: Henry T., born May 29, 1851, died October 20 of the same year; Viola P., who was born Aug. 1, 1852, and became the wife of Frank A. Okell, was called to her final home July 5, 1887, leaving one child, Viola, born June 1, 1887; Marietta, wife of D. S. Long, a farmer in Washington Township, Des Moines Co., Iowa; Elizabeth, born in 1862 and died in June of the same year; James Grant, born Aug. 21, 1865, still resides at home.
As time passed Mr. Stafford added to his original purchase of eighty acres of land until he now owns 280 acres in one body on section 33, Morning Sun Township, and thirty acres of timber land. The little 16 foot cabin has long since given place to a splendid farm residence, 32x34 feet, and two stories in height. The out-buildings are all models of convenience, and the barn is one of the best in the neighborhood, being 40x70 feet, with a basement under the entire building.
For a number of years Mr. Stafford has given his attention to the raising of fine stock. To him is due the credit of introducing the fine grade of hogs now raised in the county, and upon his farm . . .
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. . . may also be found twenty head of Clyde and Norman brood mares. Altogether he has forty head of horses, one of which is as fine as any to be found in the State. “Bijou,” a Norman, imported by Singmaster & Sons, of Keota, Keokuk Co., Iowa. This horse is a fine dapple gray, four years old, weight 1,850, and sixteen and a half hands high. He is also the owner of a Clyde, “Young Stanley,” a bright bay.
In 1853, when starting out in life, Mr. Stafford’s capital consisted only of a willing heart, strong arms, and a determination to succeed, but by his indomitable energy and enterprise he has gained a comfortable competency, and is acknowledged as one of the most successful farmers, not only in the county, but in the State. He gives liberally of his money and influence to the advancement of all interests for the good of the county. In politics, as well as in all things, he is liberal, voting for the man and not for the party. Socially, Mr. Stafford is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and in all educational matters he takes especial interest.
