The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1902-02-14

fICSlOSuI VI kuC I\OWSVWA ~
Occurred on M
tically precluded recovery. He seemed
quite comfortable on Sunday but on
Monday relapsed into Inconsistencies
and passed away about 1870 p. M, as
before stated.
A varied experience in public life
had given Aaron Sanford a wide &C
quaintanceship in political and bust /
ness circles. His election to the
General Assembly in 1896, in his I'D
year, and his able service during his
term, indicated a vigor of mind and
body which was unusual, and added
new laurels to those previously won in
positions of trust and responsibility,
including that of member of the AS
sembly of 1850. He has been promi-
nent In local financial circles, and was
often called upon to administer estates.
About four years ago he was chosen
president Of the Newtown Savings
bank and was an ideal man for the
place.
Mr. Sanford was a descendant Of an
old English family. The first one of
the name to come to America was
Thomas Sanford, pioneer of Milford,
Conn.,, and the line is traced through
Ezekiel, Ezekiel, Jr., Lemuel, Hezeki-
ah, Aaron, and Aaron, Jr., to the SUBJ
ject of this sketch. Lemuel Sanford,
the great-great-grandfather Of Aaron
Sanford, was resident of ReddfDg
Center, this county, where he was
prominent in public affairs, serving as
one of the first committeeman of the
little colony there, and he is also
named among the first members of the
Congregational church of Redding.
Hezekiah Sanford, our subjects
great-grandfather, was a prosperous
farmer at Redding Center, occupying
the homestead now owned by. MI
Delaven.
Aaron Sanford, ST., his grandfather,
resided in Redding Center, in the house
now occupied by Mrs Connors. He was
the first male member OF the Metho-
dist church in New England, and in
1870, when the first class was organized
in Redding, he became its leader. His
hospitable home was a regular stop
ping place for the itinerant minister
of that early day, and meetings were
often held there. In his later years
he became local preacher, and his
work proved most acceptable to the
congregation. He lived to the age OF
81.
Aaron Sanford. Jr., the father Of
the president of the Newtown Savings
bank, was born July s, 1885, and died
August %, 1872. He made his home
on Redding Ridge, in the eastern part
of Redding township, and became one
of the principal land owners of that
locality, having about 500 acres. He
was leading member of the Metho
dist church, was prominent in the
town and county politics, and was a
member of the Legislature in 1918 and
1924. While he served at one time as
town agent, he seemed averse to hold
ing Office, and when offered the posi-.
tion of high sheriff he declined to &C.
cept it. On December 10, 1913, he
married Miss Fanny Hill, daughter OF
Andrew L. Hill, who survived him a
few years, her death occurring Febru-
airy 21, 1875. The following children
were born Of this union: Andrew H.,
Daniel, Mary, Clara, Henry, Aaron
Fanny, Jesse L., Mary, Elizabeth
John and Julia H. OF these, Jesse L.,
John and Julia H. reside at and neal
the old homestead.
Aaron Sanford of Newtown was born
in January, 1925, and his boyhood was
mainly spent in the town of Redding
After securing such preliminary train.
ing Jas the local schools afforded, he
attended a school at White Plains, N,
Y, for time, and about 1874 he com.
pleted a course Of study in the acad.
envy at Armenia, Duchess county, N.
Y, under the instruction of Prof
Erastus E. Haven. On leaving school
he remained at home until the spring
of 1848, when he located at his present
farm. With characteristic energy he