Stafford - George Washington - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The funeral of the Rev. George W. Stafford occurred Monday from the home on Market Street, just east of the fair ground, it having been his request that it occur there. The services were conducted by Rev. S. W. Goss, of the First Methodist Church, assisted by several other ministers, and were very impressive. Rev. Goss, Sunday from his pulpit, paid a glowing tribute to the great worth and Christian character of the deceased minister, who for over forty years preached the gospel, and who began his work sixty six years ago. Interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery. -s

The many friends of Rev. George W. Stafford were very much shocked Saturday to learn that he had died very suddenly at his home just east of the fair grounds.

He had not been ill, but his health had been failing for several years, and last Saturday had eaten a hearty breakfast, though he had complained of a pain in one of his arms. About 11 o’clock he went out into the back yard, and fifteen minutes later his daughter upon opening the kitchen door found him lying on the doorstep. It is supposed that he died instantly as there was no evidence of life when his body was found. The funeral occurred Monday afternoon from the home, conducted by Rev. S. W. Goss, of the First Methodist Church, interment being at Oak Hill Cemetery.

George W. Stafford was born September 24, 1815, in Giles County, Virginia, where Mechanicsburg now stands. He was the son of Thomas Stafford, who immigrated to Fountain County locating near Attica in 1832.

Mr. Stafford’s early life was spent on the farm and later he attended Wabash College. Being desirous of entering the ministry and there being no theological seminaries in those days within his convenience, he studied at home, assisted by ministers of the church. In the fall of 1836 he was licensed by the Methodist Episcopal Conference to preach at Stafford’s meeting house, Virginia, and in 1840 he was ordained deacon by Bishop Soule at Indianapolis, and elder by Bishop Morris at Centerville in 1842. He continued in the itinerancy until 1878, when he was superannuated by his conference, having held pastorates at Richmond, Frankfort, Valparaiso, Greencastle, Rockville, his first pastorate having been at Newtown. During his ministry he was one of the most successful workers in the Methodist Church, having received a large number into membership, four hundred of whom he received at his first charge. He was also an earnest worker in the temperance cause, and signed the first temperance pledge presented in America, and everyone presented him afterwards. He was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows’ lodges, and was chaplain of the 40th Indiana volunteers, having been at the battles of Chickamauga and Mission Ridge and marched with General Sherman to Atlanta. Rev. Stafford’s grandfather, John Neel, was a quartermaster sergeant and a hero of the battle of Bunker Hill.

Mr. Stafford was married March 24, 1842, to Miss Rachel R. Stitt, who died November 2, 1899, aged 78 years. Eleven children were born to them, five of whom survive him: James T. Stafford, William Stafford, George W. Stafford, Eddie A. Stafford, of Snohomish, Wash., and Miss Mary R. Stafford, who lives at home.

Rev. Stafford was known to the ministry and his more intimate friends as Father Stafford, and was the senior member of the Northwest Indiana Conference, being in his eighty seventh year at his death. Though in feeble health for several years he has always attended the services at the First Methodist Church Sunday mornings, seldom being absent from his accustomed pew. His later life was a benediction to those around him and surely he has won the right to enter into his reward. A kindly, kingly old man, a consistent, faithful Christian, his death will be sincerely mourned by all and his good works will live after him.