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Samuel Ransom Sanford

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Samuel Ransom Sanford

Birth
Marion, Wayne County, New York, USA
Death
7 Sep 1899 (aged 77)
Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan, USA
Burial
Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan, USA GPS-Latitude: 43.2252917, Longitude: -86.2354306
Memorial ID
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Biography:
"SAMUEL R. SANFORD, one of the honored pioneers of Muskegon County, and a prominent and progressive business man of the city of Muskegon, was born in Wayne County, N.Y., August 11, 1822, and is a soil [sic] of Isaac R. Sanford, a native of Connecticut. His paternal grandfather, Abel Sanford, was born in Wallingford, Conn., and was of English descent. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Patience Atwater, and was also born in the Nutmeg State.

The early boyhood of our subject was spent in attendance at the district schools during the winter season and in farm work during the summer months. Later he prosecuted his studies in the Geneva Lyceum and Lyma Methodist Episcopal Seminary. Previous to this, he was engaged in clerking in a dry-goods store in Palmyra, N.Y., and afterward in a wholesale and retail drug and grocery house at Geneva, N.Y., remaining thus occupied until 1844, when he migrated to Michigan. Locating in Grand Rapids, he opened the first drug store in that place. He secured a good trade and successfully carried on business until the fall of 1848, when he disposed of the store. His next enterprise was the building of a double steam sawmill sixteen miles up the river from Muskegon, and in 1856 he came to this city, where he has since made his home.

For a time Mr. Sanford engaged exclusively in the manufacture and shipping of lumber, and afterward gave his attention to the lumber business in one or another of its branches. For some time he has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of shingles. In his undertakings he has met with success, and acquired a handsome competence. He dealt largely in real estate and has been connected with many leading enterprises of the community, having been one of the organizers of the Muskegon National Bank and a Director in the first two railroad companies entering the city, also aiding in the inception of other important concerns.

On the 31st of October, 1844, Mr. Sanford was united in marriage with Miss Susan S. Huggins, a native of Wayne County, N.Y., and a daughter of Zadok Huggins. She died July 18, 1855, leaving two children: I. Ransom, now a resident of Muskegon; and Anna M., wife of Harvey Chalten, an architect of Quincy. The second marriage of Mr. Sanford took place July 7, 1858, his wife being Miss Ambrosia Peck, of Gorham, Ontario County, N.Y. Her father, Samuel B. Peck, was for many years a merchant of Gorham, but removed to Muskegon in 1859. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanford, Arthur H. and Nellie S.

in the fall of 1846 Mr. Sanford was elected Clerk of Kent County on the Democratic ticket, and filled that position until the fall of 1848, that being the time of his removal from the city. In 1858 he was elected Sheriff of Ottawa County, which at that time comprised the counties of Muskgon and Ottawa, but during his term of service the present division was made, and he removed to Grand Haven temporarily in order to complete his term. In the performance of the duties of this office he always traveled on fool [sic], unless having a prisoner in charge, and under no circumstances ever carried a weapon of defense. As a 'walkist' he was for many years unrivaled. In public office he has always been found true to the trust reposed in him, and has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. In business life he has always been honorable and straightforward, and has therefore gained universal confidence. In his social and home life, he is an affable and pleasant gentleman, generous and kindhearted, and his many excellencies of character have gained for him a wide circle of warm friends.

Although reared in accordance with the tenet of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he never accepted its creed, nor affiliated as a member with any religious denomination, but has been liberal in his benefactions to all the churches of the city of his home. In 1885, however, the spiritual philosophy, with its liberality of thought and its accompanying phenomena, so strongly presented itself to his hitherto unsatisfied mind, that he espoused that cause and is to-day its firm believer and stanch advocate. His life has been worthily spent, and his character is a noble one. The history of this community would be incomplete without his sketch, and we gladly present this record of his life work to our readers."
[Portrait & Biographical Record of Musekgon & Ottawa Counties, MI, pg. 474-5]
Biography:
"SAMUEL R. SANFORD, one of the honored pioneers of Muskegon County, and a prominent and progressive business man of the city of Muskegon, was born in Wayne County, N.Y., August 11, 1822, and is a soil [sic] of Isaac R. Sanford, a native of Connecticut. His paternal grandfather, Abel Sanford, was born in Wallingford, Conn., and was of English descent. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Patience Atwater, and was also born in the Nutmeg State.

The early boyhood of our subject was spent in attendance at the district schools during the winter season and in farm work during the summer months. Later he prosecuted his studies in the Geneva Lyceum and Lyma Methodist Episcopal Seminary. Previous to this, he was engaged in clerking in a dry-goods store in Palmyra, N.Y., and afterward in a wholesale and retail drug and grocery house at Geneva, N.Y., remaining thus occupied until 1844, when he migrated to Michigan. Locating in Grand Rapids, he opened the first drug store in that place. He secured a good trade and successfully carried on business until the fall of 1848, when he disposed of the store. His next enterprise was the building of a double steam sawmill sixteen miles up the river from Muskegon, and in 1856 he came to this city, where he has since made his home.

For a time Mr. Sanford engaged exclusively in the manufacture and shipping of lumber, and afterward gave his attention to the lumber business in one or another of its branches. For some time he has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of shingles. In his undertakings he has met with success, and acquired a handsome competence. He dealt largely in real estate and has been connected with many leading enterprises of the community, having been one of the organizers of the Muskegon National Bank and a Director in the first two railroad companies entering the city, also aiding in the inception of other important concerns.

On the 31st of October, 1844, Mr. Sanford was united in marriage with Miss Susan S. Huggins, a native of Wayne County, N.Y., and a daughter of Zadok Huggins. She died July 18, 1855, leaving two children: I. Ransom, now a resident of Muskegon; and Anna M., wife of Harvey Chalten, an architect of Quincy. The second marriage of Mr. Sanford took place July 7, 1858, his wife being Miss Ambrosia Peck, of Gorham, Ontario County, N.Y. Her father, Samuel B. Peck, was for many years a merchant of Gorham, but removed to Muskegon in 1859. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanford, Arthur H. and Nellie S.

in the fall of 1846 Mr. Sanford was elected Clerk of Kent County on the Democratic ticket, and filled that position until the fall of 1848, that being the time of his removal from the city. In 1858 he was elected Sheriff of Ottawa County, which at that time comprised the counties of Muskgon and Ottawa, but during his term of service the present division was made, and he removed to Grand Haven temporarily in order to complete his term. In the performance of the duties of this office he always traveled on fool [sic], unless having a prisoner in charge, and under no circumstances ever carried a weapon of defense. As a 'walkist' he was for many years unrivaled. In public office he has always been found true to the trust reposed in him, and has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. In business life he has always been honorable and straightforward, and has therefore gained universal confidence. In his social and home life, he is an affable and pleasant gentleman, generous and kindhearted, and his many excellencies of character have gained for him a wide circle of warm friends.

Although reared in accordance with the tenet of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he never accepted its creed, nor affiliated as a member with any religious denomination, but has been liberal in his benefactions to all the churches of the city of his home. In 1885, however, the spiritual philosophy, with its liberality of thought and its accompanying phenomena, so strongly presented itself to his hitherto unsatisfied mind, that he espoused that cause and is to-day its firm believer and stanch advocate. His life has been worthily spent, and his character is a noble one. The history of this community would be incomplete without his sketch, and we gladly present this record of his life work to our readers."
[Portrait & Biographical Record of Musekgon & Ottawa Counties, MI, pg. 474-5]


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