New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-15
HIS LIFE AND SERVICES.


Sanford E. Church a native and a lifelong
resident of the State with whose history his name
is identified. He was born at Milford, in Otsego
County, on the 18th of April 1916. and had there
fore lust completed his sixty-ifth year. He
came of New-Engand parentage and English
stock. His life an exception to che
festlessness which is supposed to be typical OF his
countrymen. His family removed to Monroe
County, the next neighbor to Orleans County, when
he was a child and to the latter county when be
was boy of nineteen. At twenty he had settled
Mt the village of Albion. in Orleans County, where
he lived for the rest of his life and where he died
suddenly yesterday.
He received an academical education only. He be-
gan the study of law while deputy in the County
Clerks Office, entered law Office at the age of
twenty-three and began practice as his preceptors
partner at twenty-five. He had barely begun the
active work of his profession, however. when his
taste for politics tempted him out of 1t. He became
The Democratic candidate for Assembly from Or
leans County in 1841, being then twenty-six
years of age, and elected, although
he had to overcome an adverse majority
of the year before of 700. The Legislature OF
which he became member has always held
high rank for ability in tho annals of New-York.
John A. DIX, then already almost veteran in poll
tics, was prominent member. to become United
mour. a handsome young man of thirty-twO, who
had laid off not long before his uniform as q MEM
Der of Governor Marcy's staff and just
on the eve of being elected Mayor of
Utica, was one of Mr.. Churchs Democratic assO-
ciates in the Assembly. Michael Hoffman, John A.
Lott and George r. Davis were some of the names
of the old regime to be found on the roll and Levi
S. Chatfeld was Speaker. Mr.. Church was the
youngest member of the Assembly, but he took
conspicuous part IN the proceedings. lie was main
ly instrumental in securing the election of George
P. Barker of Buffalo, as Attorney General, that
Office being filled at the time by legislative ballot.
The State was then divided into eight Senatorial
districts each Of which elected four Senator'S The
With District, which included Orleans County.
was so overwhelmingly Wbig that the election of
Democrat to the Legislature was regarded as little
less than political miracle. This fact alone gave
Mr. Church prominence and influence He based
bis appeal for Mr. Barker in tho legislative caucus
upon the justice of recognizing the Democracy
of Western Eew-York. who lay in the shadow
of heavy Wing majorities. His speech gave him
State reputation and secured the election OF his
candidate. Mr.. Church resumed practice at the
close of this session. and in 1874 formed partner
ship with Judge Noah Davis now of this city, then
Noah Davis r. This connection lasted for thirteen
wears, when Mr. Davis was appointed by Governor
King to the Supreme Court bench, bat Church con-
tipued his active participation in politics. In the
same wear that this partnership was formed, he was
a delegate to the National Democratic Convention
at Baltimore as supporter of Mr. Van
Buren,, but acquiesced, Of course in the
nomination of James K. Polk year
later he became District-AttOrney Of his
county, and in 1916. made hopeless canvass for
Congress against Washington Hunt. afterwards
Controller aud Governor. He always popular
candidate, running invariably ahead Of his ticket
in his own section, and usually being in
advance of his colleagues on State tickets
In 1s47 he carried Orleans County as
candidate for District Attorney by majority of
300 Two years afterward he was a candidate for
the Senate in the With District and, while neces-
sarily defeated, carried the two Wing counties of
Niagara and Orleans. When the Democratic party
split in 1s4S. he supported Mr.. Van Buren, against
General Glass; and continued to act with the Barn.
burners.
His first appearance as a candidate for State
Office was at the age of thirty-fve, when he was
named upon the Democratic ticket for Lieutenant
Governor. This was in 1850, Horatio Seymour
being the candidate for Governor. Mr.. Seymour
was defeated by the Whig candidate, Washington
Hunt, while Mr.. Church was elected by majority
of about 5000. At the next election of Governor
in IS52 the Democrats put the same ticket again in
the field and the Wings Tenominated Governor Hunt
Both Seymour and Church were elected this time,
the latter again running ahead of his colleague, and
getting the largest vote it is said ever received mp
IN that time in this State. He declined third
nomination for Acknowledgement in 1854, and
want hack for time to his law-bOoks. But it was
only for time In 1856 he was again in the field
ma a candidate for Congress. These were the times
of Bleeding Kansas" and he was defeated. of
course. In 1857 he was nominated upon the Dem
ocratc State ticket for Controller and was elected
This was his last election to Office before his access
sion to the bench of the Court Of Appeals
The record of his candidates. however. stretches
ont a lono way, He was renOminated for Controller
In 1850. but was defeated. He was nominated
again for the same Office IN 1868, but was again de-
feated, this time by Lucius Robinson. lie was also
an unsuccessful candidate for Congress from bis
District in 1862. After his last canvass for the
Controllership, he seems to have retired
from Official connection with politics. but
II was only in appearance. The incurable
American ambition had by this time
seized upon him, end it never left him. In 1868
his pride was gratifed by the presentation OF his
name to the National Democratic Convention.
which was held in this city, as the candidate OF
Eew.York for the Presidency. where such men as
General Hancock, George II. PendletOn, Andrew
johnson and Reverdy johnson were pre-
scented as the favorites Of smaller and less
influential States. The vote for Mr.. Church was
purely o complimentary one. The Ncw-York dele
cation adhered to it only through ballots Of
the twenty-one which were taken, and while the
nomination finally went to New-York. it was given
70 Horatio Seymour, ana not to Sanford E. Church.
From this time forward his public position was
ona that Is familiar in our politics. He univer
sally believed to be anxious for the Presidency, and
also universally believed to be without any
of obtaining it. He had for many the
pleasure or the pain--only Presidential candidate
can decide which. or which exists in the greater
proportion seeing his name frequently ''men-