San Mateo County CA Archives Biographies.....Stafford, Daniel R. August 11, 1870 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com and Regina Gualco rmgualco@yahoo.com August 16, 2006, 12:12 am

Author: S. J. Clarke (1928)


DANIEL R. STAFFORD

   The progress of a community depends largely upon the enterprise, initiative
and ability of its business men, and through his activities as a merchant and
realtor Daniel R. Stafford has materially influenced the growth and development
of Redwood City. He is one of its loyal sons and a leader in every project for
civic advancement. He was born August 11, 1870, a son of James and Mary
(Collins) Stafford, who were married in Grass Valley, California. The mother was
a native of Ireland and the father was an Englishman. When a young man he became
a marine and while serving in the British Navy sailed into the San Francisco
harbor in 1848, a short time before the discovery of gold in California. He
afterward participated in the Crimean war and in 1852 returned to California,
having decided to become a permanent resident of the state. Going to Nevada
county, he built a flume on Deer creek, which runs through Nevada City, and
began mining for gold, but his work was later destroyed by a flood. He then came
to Redwood City and purchased a sloop, which he operated from this point to San
Francisco, hauling lumber, grain and other commodities. In 1872 he opened a
grocery store in Redwood City and for fifty years was its proprietor. He was an
honest dealer and enjoyed a large patronage. He was a trustee of the city and
worked at all times for its best interests. He was identified with the Druids
and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. A man of exceptional worth, he left the
deep impress of his individuality upon the history of the city of his adoption.
His surviving children are Daniel R., George E. and Dr. David E. Stafford.

   Daniel R. Stafford was a pupil in the old Lincoln grammar school in San
Francisco, but owing to the condition of his father's health he returned to
Redwood City when fifteen years of age to manage his affairs. He proved
thoroughly competent and later ventured into business for himself. For forty
years he was regarded as the leading grocer of Redwood City, conducting the
store until 1926. He has since engaged in the real estate and investment
business, in which he has achieved noteworthy success, displaying marked
foresight and keen sagacity in the administration of his affairs. He is the
owner of the Stafford business block and a portion of the old Sweeney ranch,
situated between Redwood City and the new Dumbarton bridge. His tract comprises
five hundred and twenty-six acres and is now being subdivided. Mr. Stafford has
an intimate knowledge of property values in this locality and his advice in
regard to real estate investments is sound and reliable. He is a member of the
advisory board of the local Bank of Italy and for a quarter of a century was one
of the directors of the Commercial Bank of Redwood City, contributing his quota
toward the success of both institutions.

   Mr. Stafford is unselfish and broad-minded, and his deep interest in the
public welfare has been manifest in tangible efforts for the general good. He
was elected city clerk and was retained in the office for six terms, or twelve
years. He is now a member of the city planning committee and the board of city
trustees and is president of the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce and also of
the Merchants Association. He is a Kiwanian and belongs to Redwood Parlor, No.
66, of the Native Sons of the Golden West. He is a faithful communicant of the
Roman Catholic church and has taken the fourth degree in the Knights of
Columbus. Mr. Stafford enjoys the esteem of many friends and his life has been a
constantly expanding force for good citizenship.

Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY
OF
SAN MATEO
COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO, ILL. 
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1928

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