Biography of Thomas C. Stafford, pages 677/678.  History of 
DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



Success is only achieved by the exercise of certain 
distinguishing qualities and it cannot be retained without 
effort. Those by whom great epoch changes have been made in 
the political and industrial world began early in life to 
prepare themselves for their peculiar duties and 
responsibilities and it was only by the most persevering 
and continuous endeavor that they succeeded in rising 
superior to the obstacles in their way and reaching the 
goal of their ambition. Such lives are an inspiration to 
others who are less courageous and more prone to give up 
the fight before their ideal is reached of definite success 
in any chosen field has been attained. In the life history 
of the honorable gentleman whose name forms the caption of 
his article we find evidence of a peculiar characteristic 
that always makes for achievement---persistency, coupled 
with fortitude and lofty traits, and as a result of such a 
life in one of the best known and most highly respected 
men.  The subject was born in DeKalb county on June 8, 
1854, his parents being James and Anna (McClure) Stafford, 
natives of Ashland county, Ohio, who came to DeKalb county 
ten years before the subject's birth, in 1844, and settled 
in Jackson township, entering land from the government. The 
subject still has the original deed to this land, signed by 
President John Tyler. Nine children were born to James and 
Anna Stafford, as follows: Samuel, deceased; John, 
deceased; J. K., Emanuel, Jane, Rebecca, Thomas C., Ella, 
deceased, and Melinda. Both parents have long since passed 
to their reward. Thomas C. Stafford, after receiving a good 
common school education in the DeKalb county schools, took 
up the vocation of tilling the soil, which he has followed 
all his life. He now owns the old home farm of eighty 
acres. On June 15, 1872, he was united in marriage to Celia 
Miller, daughter of Thomas and Mary (McCrory) Miller. This 
marriage was blessed by no children and the wife died on 
June 15, 1874. Subsequently, on March 6, 1878, the subject 
was again married to Ida A. Moore, daughter of John P. and 
Rachel (Likens) Moore, who were natives of the Buckeye 
state, he of Ashland county and she of Seneca county. They 
came with their parents to DeKalb county and settled in 
Jackson township in 1842. The subject's second wife was 
born on November 12, 1861, she being one of three children, 
the other being Sarah, who married Lucien Provines, and 
Ella J., who married Joseph E. Kester. Her parents are both 
deceased. To the subject and wife have been born three 
children: James E., deceased in infancy, and John L. and 
Nellie E., who are still under the parental roof tree. Both 
educated in home schools. Mr. Stafford has served very 
acceptably as a member of the advisor board four years and 
as supervisor of Jackson township for six years. 
Politically, he is allied with the Democratic party, and 
religiously, Mrs. Stafford is a member of the Methodist 
Protestant church. Mrs. Stafford taught school five years 
in Jackson township.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com