The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-08
6hE0N L. STAFFORD,
Died,
January 28th, 1856,
In the 36th year Of his age.

OF an appropriate address and Q solemn and i'm
pressive prayer by Rev. William H. Farneas
Of the Unitarian Church ; after which the
procession was again formed, the hearss
preceding the psn bearers. A large number Of
carriages, containing the friends and relatives
Of the deceased, joined IN the procession, which
proceeded to the Woodland cemetery, on the west
side Of the Schuylkfl, near Gray's ferry. On ap-
preaching the grave, the procession opsnei to the
right and left, and the corpse, ON . bier. was borne
to its last resting place by the pallbsarers, where
the Rev. Mr.. Suddards read the solemn burial service
Of the Episcopal church. The immediate friends Of
deceased, and others, then passed in solemn silence
to the grave, casting . last mournful look upon
the "naYrow house" OF him they had 30 fondly loved
on earth, and whose many virtues will cause him
long to be remembered by them.
Mr.. Hpaf5rd commenced the study Of civil engi.
u.erir.. ~ the Office Of Sam ua Y. Felton,, Esq, then
Of Chailestown, Mass, now President G.. the Philt
celphis, Wilmir gton and Baltimore railroad, His
early career WAS distinguished by close application
to study and q disposition to excel in Whatever he
undertook. With Q strong love for the study he
was pursuing, 1t is no matter Of surprise that he
coon stood at the head Of . very large class Of young
men, associated with him, and having the same pro-
ftstion In view.
After leaving tho office Of Nj. FELTON,, he was en-
ployed in making the surveys and constru ,tion Of
several roads, amonng the most prominen. Of which
may be mentioned the Yer mont and Massachusetts,,
the Troy and Boston, hejAlsbama and Tennessee,
and the Cincinnati, Hamilton and dayton. Alter
the opening Of this last named road, he Became Its
chief e~neinser, q position he occupied with great
acceptance to the company, until called to the su
perintendence Of the Philadelphia, Wilmington aud
Baltimore road, upon the daties Of which be enter.
ed In June, 1853.
Mr.. Spsford was the author Of several very use.
ful inventions connected with the speed aud safety
Of railroad travelling, which have distinguished
him as one Of the hrst mechanics Of the age.
Among these may be mentioned Q safety sigaal for
drawbridges ,noW In use on al the bridges ofths road
OF which he was superintendent; also Q safety 8 vitch,
q cheap. simple, and strong truss for roofs, aud q
wooden bridge, which dispenses with iron rods for
trusser. He was employed, at the tina OF his
death, in making amodei Of . bridge on this plan,
with 9 view TO constructing one across the Susque-
hanrah river at Havre dc Grace, q. which place the
company have recently made the necessary surveys
preparatory 70 erecting q bridge for the uss OF the
road, purpoeing TO dispsr sc with the boa. which has
long beon used at that poin. for the conveyance OF
paes<pRers acToss the river.
Mr.. spsfford was . Mathematician Of ne. ordinary
powers OF mind. he never encountered & problem
that he did not thoroughly solve, and his servi,e s in
tins capacity have no: unfre qaently bson called into
requisition for the benefit Of otners, who have
rea9ed the reward Of hi, lsbors, taking honors upon
themselves which belonged TO hin.
The several inventions Of which he was the
author are sufficient proofs Of his mechanical ioge-
nulty. Added 10 this was q qutckness Of perception,
hhu feeulne~s W apply, tpht renuereu NIB eerVlces
Of special value in cases Of emergency. This was
tyinced in the recent destruction OF the drawbridge
OF Gray's ferry, across the Schuylkill. 1t was
predicted, ard even announced, that the bridge
would be impossible for weeks; but through the
ready efforts Of Mr.. Spahord, only two days elapsed
before the trains were running again with their
accustomed regularity. II was in this department
OF mechanism that he may bs said TO have excslled.
In bridge masonry, and in the construction Of
bridges, he had no superior; and he has left many
OF these monuments Of his ingenuity on the roads
with which be has been connected.
In all the relations of LIE Mr.. Spaff,rd was with.
out o blemish. He was q useful citizen, 4 faithful
officer, an afectionne husband, Q kind father, Q
warm and sympathising friend, indulgent, even 20
o fault; and 10 is believed he had net an enemy In
the world. He was . leading spirit in whatever cir.
Gle he moved, though entirely without ambition or
cstentatien. The common consent OF his fellows
amiened him the position OF Q leader a. q lust re-
ward due TO his merits, without any effort on his
part TO arrive At thst distinction. He WAS q man OF
modest and retiring disposition, and Of strong do
mestic' attachments.
M. epaford WAS . native Of Springfield, Vt, and