Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Portrait and Biographical Album of Huron County, Michigan Pub. Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1884 [233-235] WILLIAM R. STAFFORD, of Port Hope, is one of the leading salt manufacturers of Michigan, and is extensively engaged in milling, merchandise and agriculture. He was born Nov. 19, 1828, in Bath, Grafton Co., N.H., the son of THOMAS and MARY STAFFORD, was brought up on a farm, and at the age of 14 years was apprenticed to his brother to learn the trades of cabinet-making and painting. He served five years and released his earnings for that time to secure exemption from the two remaining years of service, which time he spent in school. He then obtained a situation as salesman in a store, where he remained about 18 months. In 1849, being then 21 years of age, MR. STAFFORD came to Michi- gan. His first marriage, to SARAH ANN LEUTY, occurred at Lexington, Mich., Dec. 19, 1852. Four children were born of this union, viz.: WILLIAM ARTHUR, at Lexington, Mich., Aug. 6, 1855; he died June 26, 1859, at the same place; EDWIN HAYWOOD, at Port Hope, Mich., March 13,1859, who died Sept. 28, 1865, at Lexington; MARY ELLEN, at Lexington, July 26, 1861; and SARAH ELIZABETH, at Lexington, July 30, 1864. MRS. STAFFORD died Sept. 29, 1864, at Bath, N.H. She was born at Mayfield, Ohio, Oct. 4, 1834, and was the daughter of ISAAC and MARY LEUTY, both of whom are now living at Port Hope, aged respectively 70 and 72 years. MR. STAFFORD was united in mar- riage to MARY DEMALINE LEUTY, the sister of his first wife, July 10, 1865, at Port Hope, Mich. She was born at Mayfield, Ohio ,Oct. 30, 1842. FRANCES ALICE, only child of this marriage, was born Jan. 30, 1867, at Lexington, Mich. When, in 1849, MR. STAFFORD first came to Michigan he settled in Lexington, Sanilac County, and entered the employ of WOODS & SANBURN, general merchants. Three years later he established him- self in mercantile business in the same place. Meanwhile the lumber resources of this part of Michigan attracted his attention, and from the advance in the pine lands of New Hampshire he argued cor- rectly that the same result would follow in Michigan. He succeeded in interesting JOSIAH F. WILSON and WILLIAM SOUTHARD, Eastern capi- talists, in the enterprise, and secured several thousand dollars, which he invested in pine lands in Huron County. In 1852 MR. STAFFORD formed a partnership with SMITH, DWIGHT & Co., of Detroit, doing a successful mercantile business for two years, when the interest of SMITH & DWIGHT passed into the hands of STAFFORD'S former employe, CLARK HAYWOOD, of New Hampshire. After four years MR. D. LEUTY was added to the firm, which now took the name of STAFFORD, HAYWOOD & Co. Twelve years later the business was sold to POTTER & WIXON, and shortly after this the property was destroyed by fire. In 1858 the old firm of STAFFORD & HAYWOOD, which owned large tracts of land in Huron County, formed a partner- ship with the HON. R. W. JENNESS, former United States Senator from New Hampshire, for the manufacture and sale of lumber, which con- tinued for 12 years. This firm established extensive lumber yards in Cleveland, which were in charge of MR. JENNESS, while MR. STAFFORD took charge of the mills at Port Hope. The entire property located at Port Hope — mills and dock, together with a large amount of lumber — was destroyed by the forest fires of 1871, the loss being more than $100,000. In 1872 the mill and dock were rebuilt by STAFFORD & HAYWOOD, the property eventually passing into the hands of MR. STAFFORD. The first mill and dock cost $30,000. The second were built at an ex- pense of $25,000. In the fire of 1881 this property was again des- troyed, also a large amount of lumber, the aggregate loss being $40,000. MR. STAFFORD was the sole loser. However, the dock has been again rebuilt, and is acknowledged to be the best on the coast of Lake Huron. It is also worthy of notice that the Government surveyors in 1870-1 pronounced this site to be more desirable than any other place along the shore for a harbor of refuge, — this on account of better anchorage, easy approach and freedom from danger- ous shoals. Another mill of smaller dimensions has been built to replace the one burned in 1881, and has been run chiefly to supply lumber to rebuild the property destroyed in the burnt district. MR. STAFFORD has also put into operation a planing-mill and sash and door factory, thus being able to convert the products of his mill into building material sufficient in variety as well as quan- tity to supply the surrounding country. Since the establishment of the mills at Port Hope they have manufactured about 100,000,000 feet of choice pine lumber, most of which has been marketed in Ohio. Their land at one time comprised about 27,000 acres. The pine was "lumbered," but the hard wood, of which there was an im- mense amount, was nearly all destroyed in the forest fires. The Port Hope Salt Works, owned principally by MR. STAFFORD, are rated among the best in the State, The well was sunk in 1874. It is 800 feet deep and 4 1/2 inches in diameter. The brine produces the best grade of salt manufactured in Michigan. The capacity of the block is 6,000 barrels per month. The evaporation is carried on by means of five immense pans placed over furnaces. No less than 10,000 cords of wood is in this way annually consumed. The salt is extensively used for dairy purposes, and requires no extra purifi- cation or grinding. A large amount of this salt is at present being sacked and sent to the mining regions of Montana, which will be transported long distances on the backs of mules after reaching the terminus of water and railroad transportation. All barrel material is manufactured on the premises except hoops. The works require a force of 50 men. The flouring mill of W. R. STAFFORD, driven by a 40-horse-power engine, is furnished with the best modern machinery. The mill is adapted to all varieties of custom work, and has a capacity of about 50 barrels of flour daily. MR. STAFFORD'S mercantile busi- ness amounts to nearly $100,000 yearly, and is extended in its relations. It supplies the wants and needs of the families of 150 men in the employ of MR. STAFFORD, in addition to the trade of the surrounding country. The land formerly owned by the company, from which the timber has been removed, has a most excellent soil. A large proportion of the original acreage has been sold to settlers. Mr. Stafford still holds about 7,000 acres. His agricultural opera- tions include the cultivation of 1,000 acres in first-class farming condition, being stumped and fenced and all in tillage. The gar- nered harvest of the current year includes the yield of 1,000 acres. In addition to this there are 400 acres seeded and fenced and used for pasturing. During the haying season from five to eight mowing-machines are employed. The grain harvest employs two self- binders and one reaper. The threshing is done by steam power, and the hay is baled and shipped. No less than ten large barns are re- quired to shelter the stock and for hay and grain storage; also many tenement houses for the workmen. The great magnitude of MR. STAFFORD'S business enterprise be- speaks the rarest type of energy, industry and judgment so neces- sary to the successful development of his various projects. He did not begin life with a fortune. Seventy-five dollars was the extent of his possessions, and his present large and flourishing business is the result of untiring effort, strict economy and indomitable perseverance to which he has always added unswerving fidelity to honesty and integrity. The young man eager for success may here learn how the goal is to be reached. In common with the first settlers of Huron County, MR. STAFFORD shared in the hardships of pioneer life. He drove the first double team over the Lake Shore road and took the first buggy north of Lexington; also was the first to ride in a cutter from Lexington to Port Austin. He was appointed the first Postmaster in Port Hope, which position he held for 22 years. In political principle, MR. STAFFORD is a Democrat. He has for years been prominent in his party, and although never seeking office has often been urged to accept a candidacy for important trusts. Twice when those devastating forest fires swept over the country, laying waste everything in their track and reducing hun- dreds of families to destitution, MR. STAFFORD has been a most efficient agent in distributing goods and provisions to the fire sufferers, — not only dealing out those things sent by others, but also giving generously of his own substance and accommodating whole families in his own house. In 1866 MR. STAFFORD built and occupied his present residence, which, without being extravagant, is one of the most elegant and home-like of all on this shore. The grounds are beautified with shade and ornamental trees, and being located on a slight eleva- tion they command an extended and magnificent view of the lake, thus securing to the whole situation an air of completeness. Several hundred shade-trees lining either side of the main streets of Port Hope also indicate that he has had a care for the comfort of other houses. The interior of the STAFFORD home is no less at- tractive than the exterior, made so by his own genial nature, a cultured and estimable Christian wife and three accomplished dau- ghters, who have had the advantages of the best schools. MR. STAFFORD, as well as his wife, is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and an elegant church edifice of this denomination, which he has been foremost in erecting in Port Hope, bears witness to his fidelity to the cause of God. A portrait of MR. STAFFORD is of course given in this ALBUM, on a page immediately preceding the commencement of the foregoing bio- graphical sketch. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ===========================================================================