The Portland daily press., 1885-02-04


known citizens, died in this city yesterday
morning, after painful illness, aged 70 years.
Mr.. Stafford was one Of the few remaining
West India merchants who added so much to
Portland's commercial Importance. He was
the son OF Captain Joshua Stafford of Salem,
Mass, who was identified with the Russia and
East India trade of that city, and who, during
the war OF 1S12-15, was taken prisoner by the
British and confined in Dartmcor prison. Mr..
Stafford was one OF family of six children
three sons and three daughters,-and was
born February l, 1872. When very young
man,-in lsS3,-he went to Trinidad, Cuba,
as clerk for the firm of Eaton & Stafford, with
whom he remained three years In 1886 he
came to Portland and established a large pro-
vision house on Fore streer. He was the frat
one In this city to utilize the idea of packing
provisions in les, turning the cellars of the
large three-story building in which he was To-
Gated into refrigerator for storing and ripen-
ing meats.
In 1889 Mr.. Stafford sold out his provision
business and established, with Mr.. Matthews
of New York, the well-known commercial
house of Matthews & Stafford of Cardenas,
Cuba The firm was very prosperous and at
the death of the senior partner the firm name
was changed to that of William F. Stafford &
Co., which was retained until Mr.. Stafford 8
retirement in 1868. From 1874 Mr.. Stafford who
had been living in this country from the time
Oh MS retirement, passed his winters in Cuba,
until 1880, since which time he has remained
in Portland.
In 1887 Mr.. Stafford was married to Almirs
Stodder, who survives him as well as four
children,-one son and three daughters.
Mr.. Stafford was one Of the old members
OF the Mechanics CharitableAssooiation
Ing Joined that institution Oct. 1, 1841,-and of
Ancient Landmark Lodge of Masons. He was
one of the kindest and most generous of man.
most honorable in all business transactions, DOS
sessed OF the courtly manners of the old school.
and could look back upon long life OF use-
fulness unsullied by the slightest stain. He
was sympathetic and genial with all, although
a man of strong prejudices, and so much was
he beloved BY those who knew him well that
the writer never heard disparaging word
spoken of him. His long sufferings are over
and he has fairly earned the reward that be-
take place Thursday at 2 o'clock from his late
residence
Union mutuaL Life Insurance Company.
at tbs annual meeting of the Union Mutual
Lille Insurance Company, held yesterday af-
ternoon, the following gentlemen were elected
directors:
To serve three years-Henry G. Hutchins of
Boston, Mass. Erad n Rinhardo Nocndo,,,
Perciyal Bonny and John E. Dewitt, of Pert
land.
To serve for two years-Marquis f. King of
Portland, Frederick Robbie of Gorham
10 serve for one year-Edward A. Moves of
Portland.
The President reported the most prosperous
yearin the company's history under the pre-
sent administration, all the departments show
ing remarkable gains and increasing pros
perity.
The mortality experience of the company is
substantially about so per cent of the table
rates or nearly $4,000 less than the Losses cal
culated on the table rate of mortality, thus
placing the company directly in line with all
the other well managed Old Line Institutions.
Its surplus has increased every year during
the last eight years, until it has risen from
$77 ,369.53 December 81, 1877 to $685. 35, II,
December 81, 1884, and this last sum after pro-
viding for the special guarantee fund of $685.
600 which would be added to the surplus funds
OF institutions of this kind.
For the year 1884, the new insurance issued
by the company was 1881, 16e being an in
crease OF $1o5,303 over the year preceding
The company has 1882 policies in force land
insurance in force December 81 1884, S24. 2S2-
1869.
During the year one of the most pleasing ex-
hibits is, that out of the premium income of
$751; for 1884, thers has been returned to
policy holders Tor death claims, endowments
dividends and surrender policies $685., 1878. IA,
being SO per cent of tho premium received by
the company in 1884, most gratifying result
to the policy holders.
The president reported this company was
organized in 1S49, during which time it has
paid to its policy holders as follows:
Death losses. 1892 511 II
Matured ana discounted endowments 3, 1902 SO
surrendered policies, &C. ........... 5,592,112.84
DiVloenos... ,............ 4,208, 602.74
Total. ....................... $40, 833, 479.25
This is certainly record which our citizens
may well be proud of, and is good indication
OF the prosperity of the company.