Oxford Times, December 2, 1863
Lieut. Stafford: Lieut S.S. Stafford, of the 114th Regiment, Co. A arrived here [Oxford, Chenango co., NY], by the Packet, and is with his friends in Preston. We regret to learn that he is yet much disabled by the wound which he sustained at Port Hudson, although he bears up manfully under his severe trials. That he may recover his health and strength and enjoy to a good old age the hard earned fame of a true, brave, faithful and patriotic soldier of the Union, which he has so well and dearly purchased, is our wish in common with a host of his friends and acquaintances.
Oxford Times, May 11, 1904 - Obituary of Samuel S. Stafford
Hon. Samuel S. Stafford, soldier, ex-member of Assembly, lawyer and one of Oxford's best known and beloved citizens, died at his residence on Clinton street Wednesday night, after an illness of ten days. His death was due to septicemias, or blood poisoning, the direct cause of which was a wound received in the service of his country during the civil war, and from which he was never entirely free from pain and which had caused him at times previous to his death attacks of serious illness.
Samuel S Stafford, eldest son of Job and Wealthy Stafford, was born in Preston [Chenango Co., NY], June 8, 1837. At the age of twenty years he entered Oxford Academy to prepare for a college education, in the meantime teaching four terms of district school. At the call of President Lincoln July 2, 1862, for three hundred thousand men to serve for three years, or during the war, the 114th Regiment of volunteers was formed. The late Major O.H. Curtis, then a young lawyer in Oxford, enlisted Company A, which Mr. Stafford joined July 23, 1862, and assisted in recruiting. Volunteering his services in defense of his country caused the abandonment of his cherished plans for a collegiate education. Upon recommendation he was commissioned a First lieutenant, with rank from August 6, 1862, and was presented with a handsome sword, sash and belt by the officers and men of Co. A. He served with his regiment until March 11, 1863, when he was detailed a member of a General Court martial sitting at Brashear city, Louisiana. the court was in session one month, after which Lieutenant Stafford joined his regiment, and participated in the battle of Fort Bisland, the skirmish at Franklin and the siege of Port Hudson. It was at Port Hudson on July 11, 1863, while bravely leading his men on the assault of the enemy's breastworks that he received the wound that eventually caused his untimely death. He was shot through the thighs and sent home to recuperate, being brought from Binghamton to Oxford on a packet boat by the old canal. For ten months he was confined to his bed, and July 8, 1864 was honorably discharged from the service on "account of wound received in action."
While at his home recovering from his wound, Mr. Stafford was tendered the nomination for Member of Assembly by the Republican party, an office he had not sought and was ignorant of the fact that he was to be thus honored. He accepted the nomination, was elected and went to Albany on crutches. He served in the Legislature of 1865 with Hon. George W. Sumner, the county then having two representatives. On his return from the Assembly he studied law with the late Solomon Bundy, was admitted to practice and elected to the office of School Commissioner for the second district of the county, and later appointed one of its Loan Commissioners, an office he held for several terms. He was supervisor of the town for three years, 1886 to 1888, and for many years corporation attorney for the village, a position he held at the time of his death. To all elective offices he received nearly the unanimous vote of his party and many votes form the opposing party, so well was the trust in his integrity and honor established. Conscientious and painstaking in the discharge of one's public duty he was so in the many entrusted to him, and has left a clean and bright record. As a lawyer his office work, which occupied the greater part of his attention, was perfect, and as a counsellor he was a model, for no opinions were given without mature deliberation and in belief that they were for the best interest of the client, though they might be contrary to his expectations.
Mr. Stafford was a Past Master of Oxford lodge, No. 175, F.&A.M.; had served one term as District Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic district; was Past commander of Breed Post, No. 196, G.A.R., and secretary of the 114th Regimental Association. To these organizations he was devoted and gave much attention and counsel. With the late Major Curtis he did much to keep up the regimental reunions and perpetuate the regiment's glorious achievements.
December 12, 1866, Mr. Stafford Married Mary A. Gilbert, who survives him, together with two brothers, Richard L. and Elmer J. Stafford, and one sister, Mrs. Lyman W. VanTassel.
The funeral was held from St. Paul's church Saturday at 2 o'clock p.m., of which the deceased was a communicant and one of its Vestrymen. During the services the business places as a mark of respect were closed. From the house to the church the body was escorted by a guard of honor from the Soldiers' home in uniform and with muskets reversed, and a long line of the masonic fraternity and veterans of Breed Post G.A.R. The bearers were J.T. Talbert and H. Merrell of Binghamton; George W. Payne of Norwich, Charles W. Brown, M.D. McNeil and W.A. Carl of Oxford, Army comrades and brother Masons. There were a number of out of town masons and veterans in attendance together with representatives of the Chenango county Bar and prominent citizens. The Church was filled, the impressive service being conducted by the rector, Rev. Charles D. Broughton. The same large procession escorted the body to Riverview cemetery for interment, followed by a long line of carriages containing mourners and friends. The body was committed to the grave with Masonic rites, the service being very feelingly and impressively rendered by Past Master Sachett H. Mead, Oxford Lodge, with Rev Mr. Broughton and Rev. George G. Perrine, of Guilford, chaplains.
At the conclusion of the service the guard of honor fired a volley over the grave and the bugle sounded taps, a fitting salute to the dead and a tender farewell to a brave soldier.
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