Biography: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Stephen Radford

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Submitted by Kathy Grace, <gendiva@charter.net> December 2004

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History of northern Wisconsin: containing an account of its settlement,
growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties,
cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories,
biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views
of county seats, etc.
Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881 p. 1161

Stephen Radford, of S. Radford & Bro.; was born in June, 1832, in
Needingworth, Huntingdonshire, England.  In May, 1851, he emigrated to this
country and located in Oneida Co., New York State, where he found
employment for two years a half; he then removed to Oshkosh in 1854, and
found work in Knapp's mill, where the gang mill now stands, but remained
there only six months; the next two years and a half he was in John
Butler's mill at Fond du Lac.  At this time he conceived the idea of
returning to England; having accumulated some money, he made a trip to his 
native place, and prolonged his stay nearly three years, during which time
he was engaged in buying and selling cattle.  Returning to America, he
again settled in Oshkosh, which has since been his home.  He worked for
Bray & Choate a few weeks; at Porter's mill he worked two seasons and then
with Chapman & Danforth seven years.  In company with W.d. Harshaw, he
rented Chapman & Danforth's mill and ran it one season.  At the expiration
of this time he formed a copartnership with his brother, William Radford,
and together they purchased John and Webb Libbey's interest in the Libbey
Bros. mill, the firm name being changed to S. Radford & Bro.  D.L. Libbey,
however, retained a half interest, which was eventually purchased under a
contract to saw a certain amount of timber.  In the winter of 1879, they
commenced the erection of their sash, door and blind factory.  Stephen
Radford was first married in England, to Anna Heppingstall; she died in
Oshkosh, leaving two children- Walter James and Florence Olive.  Mr. S. was
married in Oshkosh to his present wife, Mary E. Ruby; they have eight
children- Jennie, Nellie, David, Ida, Anna, Charles and Ruby.