Warwick Historical Papers Volume 6 Part 2

This is a transcription of an article published in the Warwick Advertiser,dated January 11, 1900.

OBITUARY NOTES

GEORGE W.SANFORD

Soon after the hour of midnight, on Saturday morning, the spirit of this patriach departed. from the sighly home he so much loved, to pass the dark valley. His illness, from kidney trouble, was of several months duration, but he was persistently at his office as long as strength would permit. Still the foe to human endurance conquered, and he had to yield. His age was 78 years.

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In the death of Mr. Sanford, Warwick loces an unostentatious, but sterling citizen. He was for many years prominent in business and associated with the substantial and conservative institutions of our valley. He was one of the organizers and directors of the First National Bank, a promoter and director of the Warwick Valley Railroad, which was phenomenally successful, and also the the Lehigh and Hudson River Railway, into which the first named was merged. He was the first and continuous president of the Warwick Cemetery Association, also a model for success and careful methods. He was a succesful financier and for years has purchased and dealt in bonds of western municipalities and tonws: collecting in many cases where default had been made for others. He dealt in real estate and built several houses in town and owned a number of farms in addition to his handsome homestead,

Mr. Sanford was an ardent Reblublican , and rarely missed voting and never at a presidential election. Without being an office seeker he was at one time the town's supervisor. Being an ardent patriot, and rarely missed voting and never at a presidential election. Without being an office seeker he was at one time the town's supervisor. Being an ardent patriot, and unable in the early 60's to qualify as a soldier and go to the front, he aided by recruiting between 50 and 60 men for service under the country's flag.

One of the characteristics which even the passing years failed to lessen, was the love he bore his family and his parents. So long as his father, "Uncle Ezra," as he was familiarly known, though meeting almost every day, yet a Sunday afternoon rarely, or never passed without this loving son taking a long visit to the old home and his aged parents, when the intercourse was more like that between comrades than a parent and son. His was a most equable disposition: one of his sons affirms he never say his father angry. He took a quiet interest in many young men coming into his presence and not a few owe much of success to the counsel he gave them. Even to the last months of his life, the remarkable grasp of his judgment was apparent. A quiet vein of humor was always ready to manifest itself in word and act when that part of his nature was appealed to. He was also noted for his hospitable traits, and many, far and near, will testify to sharing the comforts and pleasantries of his home. His interest was keen for the infirm and indigent people he knew and many were his quiet benefactions. But perhaps the crowning feature of his character was his marvelous charity. When men were down and given up by others, Mr. Sanford was their friend, and not a few men of the criminal classes found in him the encouragement and hope which was denied them by others. Once a friend, was always a friend with Mr. Sanford. His confidence once bestowed was never withdrawn.

George W. Sanford was the son of the late Ezra Sanford and Adeline Terry. His brothers were Pierson E., the youngest, (and only survivor), Uriah T. and William M. His sisters were Hester Ann, Mary Elizabeth, Julia, Abigail and Emily. Mary Elizabeth residing in Warwick. Abigail (Mrs. Gabriel and Emily (Mrs. Tuttle) living at Watkins, N.Y., are the only survivors. He married Frances, a daughter of the late Capt. Nathaniel W. Baird. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding aniversary in 1897, and the widow and the following children survive: Lansing H. Sanford, who is engaged in the milk business in New York city; Ferdinand Vanderveer and Francis Baird, lawyers, of Warwick; George Alden, the pastor's lay assistant in one of the Reformed churches in New York city, John W., who manages the home farm, and conducts the insurance business in town and Mary E. at home.

The funeral on Monday, from the home, was very largely attended, being conducted by Rev. Taber Knox, assisted by Rev Ezra T. Sanford, a nephew of the deceased, and Elder W. L. Beebe.