Randolph County Georgia - Biography - Rev. Joseph Newton Stanford 1848 - 1920 ********************************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ********************************************************************************************** This file contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Charlene Parker" Oct 2002 Joseph Newton Stanford was born October 27, 1848 in Randolph County, Georgia and reared in Cuthbert. His maternal and paternal ancestry were among the pioneers of Southwest Georgia and were noted for their innate worth, intelligence, probity, mental and physical vigor and these characteristics manifest themselves in the career of members of the present generation. Thomas and Keziah Stanford, his great grandparents were early settlers of Middle Georgia having come from their respective homes in North and South Carolina on the same day. Thomas Stanford, Jr., was but a boy when his parents moved from Morgan County to Newton County where he grew to manhood. On December 24, 1845 he was married to Elizabeth Phillips, a native of Morgan County, later of Newton County. Afterwards they removed to Randolph County where he farmed until about two years before he died. Joseph was the second son of five children. His sisters were Missouri Ann, (Mrs. John R. Scott), Mary Sophronia and brothers were the late Thaddeus and Dr. J. M. Stanford, all deceased. For half a century or more he was printer or publisher, he having learned all the details from the case to the Editorial Chair. His first work was done on the "Reporter" a Journal owned by Mr. T. Bird; his next on the "Cuthbert Appeal". In 1881 he took charge of the "Enterprise" continuing on it until the "Liberal Enterprise" was started. About this time he established "The Cuthbert Leader," a weekly newspaper which secured a good circulation, wide popularity and a liberal patronage. October 27, 1870 he was married to Catherine Dunaway of Stewart County, by whom he had a family of eleven children: Mrs. H. D. Mashburn, J. B. Stanford, Mrs. W. J. Oliver, Mrs. C. D. Peak, deceased and the present Mrs. C. D. Peak, Mrs. E. A. Mooney, Mr. John T. Stanford, Mrs. A. L. Mashburn and Shelley and Harold Stanford. Joseph Hugh died when an infant. Harold was a valient member of the Rainbow Division in the late war. Mr. and Mrs. Stanford and their children were all active members of the Baptist Church. He was the faithful and efficient clerk of the Bethel Baptist Association for four years from 1902 to 1905 inclusive. In 1898 his eyesight became impaired and he grew tired of office work and bought a large farm at Morris Station, three and a half miles from Cotton Hill. For four years he was the beloved and the successful superintendent of the Cotton Hill Sunday School, when he resigned to return to Cuthbert he was presented a handsome lamp which he always treasured. On his return to his Cuthbert home, he and his son, J. B. Stanford bought out the "Liberal Enterprise," which was then owned by a stock company. After the death of his mother and invalid sister, he together with his wife and five younger children removed to Garniers, Santa Rosa County, Florida. While here he faithfully served as superintendent of the Garniers and Cracker Neck Sunday Schools. After two years circumstances were such that he returned to Cuthbert where he worked with accustomed regularity until incapacitated by ill health a year or two before his death. He was 72 years of age. He was a model industry. As an Editor and in private life always advocating morality, and other things tending toward the betterment of mankind. He was a zealous mason and had been prominent in the Knights of Pythias. As a contemporary said, the motto "Semper Fidelis" (always faithful) applied to him for he could be relied on to do his duty and was regarded as an exemplar of honesty and benevolence, enjoying the good will of all who knew him, he left to his family the heritage of a good name which they dearly prize. Georgia Death Index Name: Joseph N. Stanford Death Date: 13 Oct 1920 Gender: County of Death: Randolph Certificate: 29487-B Name: Catherine Stanford Death Date: 05 Mar 1939 Race: W Gender: F County of Death: Randolph Certificate: 6747 Age: 86 years 1920 Randolph Co. GA Page: 3A ED: 65 Township: Cuthbert 59- Jos N. Stanford 71 GA Ga GA Catherine 67 Ga Va Ga 1850 Randolph Co. page 353 160-Thomas Stanaford 44 Ga Waggoner Elizabeth 40 Ga Mary A. 14 GA Martha 7 Ga John 4 Ga Jes/Jos? 2 Ga