Capt. Hafford was born to Samuel and Esther (Graves) Hafford in New York State. He was married to Florilla Williams (1838) and many years after Florilla's death (at a very young age) to Nannie Butts (1875). Capt. Hafford had many children with Florilla; they are: Albert Harvey (1838-1858), William Sheldon (1841-1848), Helen Salina (1842-1935), Joseph Williams (1848-1916) and James Harvey (1852-1852).
Capt. Hafford was a stone mason, in the years after the Civil War, when he had located in Columbus, Ohio, he served as a foreman on the construction of the Ohio Penitentiary (which was demolished prior to the construction of Nationwide Arena).
Capt. Hafford served his country honorably in the Civil War. During the war he served as a 1st Lt. with the 10th Ohio Cavalry, Capt. Stratton's Company. He was in his 40s when he enlisted as an officer and suffered illness or injury which led him to be home in Fremont for a few months during the war. He left the Invalid Corps and joined Company M, Ohio Cavalry as a Captain. During this time he led a raid against the Rebels near Macon, GA. His horse was shot from under him and he landed underneath the horse partially, hurting his back and rendering an arm useless for the remainder of his days. He was captured by the rebels and imprisoned in the notorious Andersonville Prison from Nov. 1864 until Apr. 1865. He mustered out at Annapolis, MD. His last official duty was to have charge over paroled prisoners in Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio in May 1865.
There is a level of mystery with Capt. Hafford regarding his relations with the Hafford Family after the death of his first wife and the Civil War. One can assume that some much tragedy in his early life, then the ordeal of war and being a POW altered him beyond physical means and created many challenges in the family dynamic.
From his obituary, published in the Fremont Journal, 3/19/1886:
"Captain James H. Hafford died at the National Soldiers' Home at Dayton, Ohio, March 12, 1886, after years of suffering from paralysis. The funeral services were held at the residence of Wm. B. Sheldon in this city, on Monday, March 15th, and were conducted by Eugene A. Rawson Post, G.A.R. Post Commander. John L. Greene read the following sketch of Captain Hafford's life.
Captain James H. Hafford was born at Hoosick Falls, N.Y., September 12, 1816. The deceased came to Lower Sandusky (now Fremont) with his father, Judge Samuel Hafford, in 1835. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Sandusky County. He was married January 11th, 1838 to Miss Flora Williams, a sister of Mr. Ami Williams, of this city, which union was blessed by six children, two of whom survive him, Mrs. Helen S. Reed, of Trenton, Missouri, whose presence attests her love and devotion to a kind and indulgent father, whose death our country mourns today, and J.W. Hafford, of Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Hafford died July 25, 1852. Two brothers and three sisters yet remain to mourn the loss of a true and affectionate brother, Mrs. Eveline Tindall and Mrs. Wm. B. Sheldon, of this city; Mrs. Louisa Colby, of Ballville; Samuel Hafford, of San Francisco, California, and Warren G. Hafford of Ballville.
Comrade Lacy, of his Regiment, who is an officer at the Home, accompanied his remains to this city. He says that our comrade prayed for death to relieve him of his suffering, and that our comrades were present when his voice was silenced and h is lips were sealed for eternity.
Captain Hafford became a member of Fort Stephenson Lodge, No. 225, F. & A.M., July 18, 1853. The mysteries of Masonry saved his life—it secured for him medical care and attention after being wounded and a prisoner of war at Macon, Georgia. He was always a zealous advocate of its principles and one of its most devoted members.
For more than thirty-five years, he worthily wore the links of Friendship, Love and Truth, having been a member of Croghan Lodge, No. 77, I.O.O.F., of Fremont, since June 10, 1848.
In the hour of conflict and death, when the Union was hanging in the balance of doubt, and patriots were disheartened, Captain Hafford responded to his country's call. He entered the service October 6, 1862, as Lieutenant of Company G, 10th O.V.C., then commanded by Col. Wm. E. Haynes, of this city. For meritorious conduct he was promoted to Captain and assigned to Company M. He was discharged from service May 26, 1865.
He was a member of McCoy Post, No. 1, G.A.R., at Columbus, O., and became a member of Eugene A. Rawson Post, this city, August 1st, 1883.
During the war he was wounded and taken prisoner while leading a charge and attempting to capture a Rebel fort at Macon, Georgia. He was soon exchanged and returned to his command, where he remained until the close of the war.
Of the many brave men who went forth to defend our country and its flag, none were more brave or deserving of honorable mention.
On the 9th day of November, 1875, Captain Hafford married Miss Nannie D. Butts, of Columbus, O., whose wifely devotion to her helpless husband and to our invalid comrade worthily entitles her to the sympathy of every soldier of the Republic, in this hour of her sad bereavement.
The Grand Army of the Republic, of which the deceased was an honored and respected member, and at whose request this Post officiates to-day, and grants to our dead comrade the honors of a soldier's burial, is the child of war. Right was its father, Justice its mother and Patriotism its religion.
The seed which the Grand Army of the Republic has planted, will grow to be a mighty tree, and the thoughts of millions will come to lodge in its branches. Those branches will spread so broad and long that in the ground of truth the bended twig will take root, and sons and daughters grow about the parent tree, affording shade to the graves of our dead comrades. And upon its massive stems, high over its arched and echoing walks, in the silent city of the dead, will hang the harp of patriotism, which, when touched by the Angels of Peace, will forever vibrate its Heavenly music to the memory of our patriot dead."
His medical leave as a Lt in the 10th OVC was approved by Capt. Robert Goddard (#21308036). His release from Andersonville Prison was approved as a POW exchange by Col. George C. Gibbs (#34372563).
Captain Hafford's sacrifices are not forgotten to this day by his descendants.... his role in our national history is remembered and honored in many ways beyond this memorial as his service has been recorded with the Ohio Genealogical Society, marking his meritorious sacrifices for the Union for all to see and remember.
Capt. Hafford was a stone mason, in the years after the Civil War, when he had located in Columbus, Ohio, he served as a foreman on the construction of the Ohio Penitentiary (which was demolished prior to the construction of Nationwide Arena).
Capt. Hafford served his country honorably in the Civil War. During the war he served as a 1st Lt. with the 10th Ohio Cavalry, Capt. Stratton's Company. He was in his 40s when he enlisted as an officer and suffered illness or injury which led him to be home in Fremont for a few months during the war. He left the Invalid Corps and joined Company M, Ohio Cavalry as a Captain. During this time he led a raid against the Rebels near Macon, GA. His horse was shot from under him and he landed underneath the horse partially, hurting his back and rendering an arm useless for the remainder of his days. He was captured by the rebels and imprisoned in the notorious Andersonville Prison from Nov. 1864 until Apr. 1865. He mustered out at Annapolis, MD. His last official duty was to have charge over paroled prisoners in Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio in May 1865.
There is a level of mystery with Capt. Hafford regarding his relations with the Hafford Family after the death of his first wife and the Civil War. One can assume that some much tragedy in his early life, then the ordeal of war and being a POW altered him beyond physical means and created many challenges in the family dynamic.
From his obituary, published in the Fremont Journal, 3/19/1886:
"Captain James H. Hafford died at the National Soldiers' Home at Dayton, Ohio, March 12, 1886, after years of suffering from paralysis. The funeral services were held at the residence of Wm. B. Sheldon in this city, on Monday, March 15th, and were conducted by Eugene A. Rawson Post, G.A.R. Post Commander. John L. Greene read the following sketch of Captain Hafford's life.
Captain James H. Hafford was born at Hoosick Falls, N.Y., September 12, 1816. The deceased came to Lower Sandusky (now Fremont) with his father, Judge Samuel Hafford, in 1835. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Sandusky County. He was married January 11th, 1838 to Miss Flora Williams, a sister of Mr. Ami Williams, of this city, which union was blessed by six children, two of whom survive him, Mrs. Helen S. Reed, of Trenton, Missouri, whose presence attests her love and devotion to a kind and indulgent father, whose death our country mourns today, and J.W. Hafford, of Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Hafford died July 25, 1852. Two brothers and three sisters yet remain to mourn the loss of a true and affectionate brother, Mrs. Eveline Tindall and Mrs. Wm. B. Sheldon, of this city; Mrs. Louisa Colby, of Ballville; Samuel Hafford, of San Francisco, California, and Warren G. Hafford of Ballville.
Comrade Lacy, of his Regiment, who is an officer at the Home, accompanied his remains to this city. He says that our comrade prayed for death to relieve him of his suffering, and that our comrades were present when his voice was silenced and h is lips were sealed for eternity.
Captain Hafford became a member of Fort Stephenson Lodge, No. 225, F. & A.M., July 18, 1853. The mysteries of Masonry saved his life—it secured for him medical care and attention after being wounded and a prisoner of war at Macon, Georgia. He was always a zealous advocate of its principles and one of its most devoted members.
For more than thirty-five years, he worthily wore the links of Friendship, Love and Truth, having been a member of Croghan Lodge, No. 77, I.O.O.F., of Fremont, since June 10, 1848.
In the hour of conflict and death, when the Union was hanging in the balance of doubt, and patriots were disheartened, Captain Hafford responded to his country's call. He entered the service October 6, 1862, as Lieutenant of Company G, 10th O.V.C., then commanded by Col. Wm. E. Haynes, of this city. For meritorious conduct he was promoted to Captain and assigned to Company M. He was discharged from service May 26, 1865.
He was a member of McCoy Post, No. 1, G.A.R., at Columbus, O., and became a member of Eugene A. Rawson Post, this city, August 1st, 1883.
During the war he was wounded and taken prisoner while leading a charge and attempting to capture a Rebel fort at Macon, Georgia. He was soon exchanged and returned to his command, where he remained until the close of the war.
Of the many brave men who went forth to defend our country and its flag, none were more brave or deserving of honorable mention.
On the 9th day of November, 1875, Captain Hafford married Miss Nannie D. Butts, of Columbus, O., whose wifely devotion to her helpless husband and to our invalid comrade worthily entitles her to the sympathy of every soldier of the Republic, in this hour of her sad bereavement.
The Grand Army of the Republic, of which the deceased was an honored and respected member, and at whose request this Post officiates to-day, and grants to our dead comrade the honors of a soldier's burial, is the child of war. Right was its father, Justice its mother and Patriotism its religion.
The seed which the Grand Army of the Republic has planted, will grow to be a mighty tree, and the thoughts of millions will come to lodge in its branches. Those branches will spread so broad and long that in the ground of truth the bended twig will take root, and sons and daughters grow about the parent tree, affording shade to the graves of our dead comrades. And upon its massive stems, high over its arched and echoing walks, in the silent city of the dead, will hang the harp of patriotism, which, when touched by the Angels of Peace, will forever vibrate its Heavenly music to the memory of our patriot dead."
His medical leave as a Lt in the 10th OVC was approved by Capt. Robert Goddard (#21308036). His release from Andersonville Prison was approved as a POW exchange by Col. George C. Gibbs (#34372563).
Captain Hafford's sacrifices are not forgotten to this day by his descendants.... his role in our national history is remembered and honored in many ways beyond this memorial as his service has been recorded with the Ohio Genealogical Society, marking his meritorious sacrifices for the Union for all to see and remember.
Capt. Hafford was born to Samuel and Esther (Graves) Hafford in New York State. He was married to Florilla Williams (1838) and many years after Florilla's death (at a very young age) to Nannie Butts (1875). Capt. Hafford had many children with Florilla; they are: Albert Harvey (1838-1858), William Sheldon (1841-1848), Helen Salina (1842-1935), Joseph Williams (1848-1916) and James Harvey (1852-1852).
Capt. Hafford was a stone mason, in the years after the Civil War, when he had located in Columbus, Ohio, he served as a foreman on the construction of the Ohio Penitentiary (which was demolished prior to the construction of Nationwide Arena).
Capt. Hafford served his country honorably in the Civil War. During the war he served as a 1st Lt. with the 10th Ohio Cavalry, Capt. Stratton's Company. He was in his 40s when he enlisted as an officer and suffered illness or injury which led him to be home in Fremont for a few months during the war. He left the Invalid Corps and joined Company M, Ohio Cavalry as a Captain. During this time he led a raid against the Rebels near Macon, GA. His horse was shot from under him and he landed underneath the horse partially, hurting his back and rendering an arm useless for the remainder of his days. He was captured by the rebels and imprisoned in the notorious Andersonville Prison from Nov. 1864 until Apr. 1865. He mustered out at Annapolis, MD. His last official duty was to have charge over paroled prisoners in Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio in May 1865.
There is a level of mystery with Capt. Hafford regarding his relations with the Hafford Family after the death of his first wife and the Civil War. One can assume that some much tragedy in his early life, then the ordeal of war and being a POW altered him beyond physical means and created many challenges in the family dynamic.
From his obituary, published in the Fremont Journal, 3/19/1886:
"Captain James H. Hafford died at the National Soldiers' Home at Dayton, Ohio, March 12, 1886, after years of suffering from paralysis. The funeral services were held at the residence of Wm. B. Sheldon in this city, on Monday, March 15th, and were conducted by Eugene A. Rawson Post, G.A.R. Post Commander. John L. Greene read the following sketch of Captain Hafford's life.
Captain James H. Hafford was born at Hoosick Falls, N.Y., September 12, 1816. The deceased came to Lower Sandusky (now Fremont) with his father, Judge Samuel Hafford, in 1835. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Sandusky County. He was married January 11th, 1838 to Miss Flora Williams, a sister of Mr. Ami Williams, of this city, which union was blessed by six children, two of whom survive him, Mrs. Helen S. Reed, of Trenton, Missouri, whose presence attests her love and devotion to a kind and indulgent father, whose death our country mourns today, and J.W. Hafford, of Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Hafford died July 25, 1852. Two brothers and three sisters yet remain to mourn the loss of a true and affectionate brother, Mrs. Eveline Tindall and Mrs. Wm. B. Sheldon, of this city; Mrs. Louisa Colby, of Ballville; Samuel Hafford, of San Francisco, California, and Warren G. Hafford of Ballville.
Comrade Lacy, of his Regiment, who is an officer at the Home, accompanied his remains to this city. He says that our comrade prayed for death to relieve him of his suffering, and that our comrades were present when his voice was silenced and h is lips were sealed for eternity.
Captain Hafford became a member of Fort Stephenson Lodge, No. 225, F. & A.M., July 18, 1853. The mysteries of Masonry saved his life—it secured for him medical care and attention after being wounded and a prisoner of war at Macon, Georgia. He was always a zealous advocate of its principles and one of its most devoted members.
For more than thirty-five years, he worthily wore the links of Friendship, Love and Truth, having been a member of Croghan Lodge, No. 77, I.O.O.F., of Fremont, since June 10, 1848.
In the hour of conflict and death, when the Union was hanging in the balance of doubt, and patriots were disheartened, Captain Hafford responded to his country's call. He entered the service October 6, 1862, as Lieutenant of Company G, 10th O.V.C., then commanded by Col. Wm. E. Haynes, of this city. For meritorious conduct he was promoted to Captain and assigned to Company M. He was discharged from service May 26, 1865.
He was a member of McCoy Post, No. 1, G.A.R., at Columbus, O., and became a member of Eugene A. Rawson Post, this city, August 1st, 1883.
During the war he was wounded and taken prisoner while leading a charge and attempting to capture a Rebel fort at Macon, Georgia. He was soon exchanged and returned to his command, where he remained until the close of the war.
Of the many brave men who went forth to defend our country and its flag, none were more brave or deserving of honorable mention.
On the 9th day of November, 1875, Captain Hafford married Miss Nannie D. Butts, of Columbus, O., whose wifely devotion to her helpless husband and to our invalid comrade worthily entitles her to the sympathy of every soldier of the Republic, in this hour of her sad bereavement.
The Grand Army of the Republic, of which the deceased was an honored and respected member, and at whose request this Post officiates to-day, and grants to our dead comrade the honors of a soldier's burial, is the child of war. Right was its father, Justice its mother and Patriotism its religion.
The seed which the Grand Army of the Republic has planted, will grow to be a mighty tree, and the thoughts of millions will come to lodge in its branches. Those branches will spread so broad and long that in the ground of truth the bended twig will take root, and sons and daughters grow about the parent tree, affording shade to the graves of our dead comrades. And upon its massive stems, high over its arched and echoing walks, in the silent city of the dead, will hang the harp of patriotism, which, when touched by the Angels of Peace, will forever vibrate its Heavenly music to the memory of our patriot dead."
His medical leave as a Lt in the 10th OVC was approved by Capt. Robert Goddard (#21308036). His release from Andersonville Prison was approved as a POW exchange by Col. George C. Gibbs (#34372563).
Captain Hafford's sacrifices are not forgotten to this day by his descendants.... his role in our national history is remembered and honored in many ways beyond this memorial as his service has been recorded with the Ohio Genealogical Society, marking his meritorious sacrifices for the Union for all to see and remember.
Capt. Hafford was a stone mason, in the years after the Civil War, when he had located in Columbus, Ohio, he served as a foreman on the construction of the Ohio Penitentiary (which was demolished prior to the construction of Nationwide Arena).
Capt. Hafford served his country honorably in the Civil War. During the war he served as a 1st Lt. with the 10th Ohio Cavalry, Capt. Stratton's Company. He was in his 40s when he enlisted as an officer and suffered illness or injury which led him to be home in Fremont for a few months during the war. He left the Invalid Corps and joined Company M, Ohio Cavalry as a Captain. During this time he led a raid against the Rebels near Macon, GA. His horse was shot from under him and he landed underneath the horse partially, hurting his back and rendering an arm useless for the remainder of his days. He was captured by the rebels and imprisoned in the notorious Andersonville Prison from Nov. 1864 until Apr. 1865. He mustered out at Annapolis, MD. His last official duty was to have charge over paroled prisoners in Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio in May 1865.
There is a level of mystery with Capt. Hafford regarding his relations with the Hafford Family after the death of his first wife and the Civil War. One can assume that some much tragedy in his early life, then the ordeal of war and being a POW altered him beyond physical means and created many challenges in the family dynamic.
From his obituary, published in the Fremont Journal, 3/19/1886:
"Captain James H. Hafford died at the National Soldiers' Home at Dayton, Ohio, March 12, 1886, after years of suffering from paralysis. The funeral services were held at the residence of Wm. B. Sheldon in this city, on Monday, March 15th, and were conducted by Eugene A. Rawson Post, G.A.R. Post Commander. John L. Greene read the following sketch of Captain Hafford's life.
Captain James H. Hafford was born at Hoosick Falls, N.Y., September 12, 1816. The deceased came to Lower Sandusky (now Fremont) with his father, Judge Samuel Hafford, in 1835. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Sandusky County. He was married January 11th, 1838 to Miss Flora Williams, a sister of Mr. Ami Williams, of this city, which union was blessed by six children, two of whom survive him, Mrs. Helen S. Reed, of Trenton, Missouri, whose presence attests her love and devotion to a kind and indulgent father, whose death our country mourns today, and J.W. Hafford, of Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Hafford died July 25, 1852. Two brothers and three sisters yet remain to mourn the loss of a true and affectionate brother, Mrs. Eveline Tindall and Mrs. Wm. B. Sheldon, of this city; Mrs. Louisa Colby, of Ballville; Samuel Hafford, of San Francisco, California, and Warren G. Hafford of Ballville.
Comrade Lacy, of his Regiment, who is an officer at the Home, accompanied his remains to this city. He says that our comrade prayed for death to relieve him of his suffering, and that our comrades were present when his voice was silenced and h is lips were sealed for eternity.
Captain Hafford became a member of Fort Stephenson Lodge, No. 225, F. & A.M., July 18, 1853. The mysteries of Masonry saved his life—it secured for him medical care and attention after being wounded and a prisoner of war at Macon, Georgia. He was always a zealous advocate of its principles and one of its most devoted members.
For more than thirty-five years, he worthily wore the links of Friendship, Love and Truth, having been a member of Croghan Lodge, No. 77, I.O.O.F., of Fremont, since June 10, 1848.
In the hour of conflict and death, when the Union was hanging in the balance of doubt, and patriots were disheartened, Captain Hafford responded to his country's call. He entered the service October 6, 1862, as Lieutenant of Company G, 10th O.V.C., then commanded by Col. Wm. E. Haynes, of this city. For meritorious conduct he was promoted to Captain and assigned to Company M. He was discharged from service May 26, 1865.
He was a member of McCoy Post, No. 1, G.A.R., at Columbus, O., and became a member of Eugene A. Rawson Post, this city, August 1st, 1883.
During the war he was wounded and taken prisoner while leading a charge and attempting to capture a Rebel fort at Macon, Georgia. He was soon exchanged and returned to his command, where he remained until the close of the war.
Of the many brave men who went forth to defend our country and its flag, none were more brave or deserving of honorable mention.
On the 9th day of November, 1875, Captain Hafford married Miss Nannie D. Butts, of Columbus, O., whose wifely devotion to her helpless husband and to our invalid comrade worthily entitles her to the sympathy of every soldier of the Republic, in this hour of her sad bereavement.
The Grand Army of the Republic, of which the deceased was an honored and respected member, and at whose request this Post officiates to-day, and grants to our dead comrade the honors of a soldier's burial, is the child of war. Right was its father, Justice its mother and Patriotism its religion.
The seed which the Grand Army of the Republic has planted, will grow to be a mighty tree, and the thoughts of millions will come to lodge in its branches. Those branches will spread so broad and long that in the ground of truth the bended twig will take root, and sons and daughters grow about the parent tree, affording shade to the graves of our dead comrades. And upon its massive stems, high over its arched and echoing walks, in the silent city of the dead, will hang the harp of patriotism, which, when touched by the Angels of Peace, will forever vibrate its Heavenly music to the memory of our patriot dead."
His medical leave as a Lt in the 10th OVC was approved by Capt. Robert Goddard (#21308036). His release from Andersonville Prison was approved as a POW exchange by Col. George C. Gibbs (#34372563).
Captain Hafford's sacrifices are not forgotten to this day by his descendants.... his role in our national history is remembered and honored in many ways beyond this memorial as his service has been recorded with the Ohio Genealogical Society, marking his meritorious sacrifices for the Union for all to see and remember.
Family Members
Siblings
