Vernon Sanford is a pioneer of Jordan Township of 1836, and after nearly 50 years with the devopment of WHiteside County, is living in retirement on his farm on section 1 of the township where he settled in its earliest period. He was born April 4, 1810 in the townshp of Middletown, Delaware Co., NY. Cyrenius Sanford, his father, was born in Connecticut of New England parentage and married Anna Hubbell. Both were of pure Yankee lineage. They were married in Conn. and went to Delaware Co NY where they remained until 1834, the date of their coming to Ogle Co. IL where they were among the earliest settlers.
Mr. Sanford is the sixth of his parents children , and he lived at home until he ws married. Catherine Campbell became his wife Sept. 7, 1834. She was born Nov. 18, 1815, in Dutchess Co NY and is the daughter of Henry and Rachel (Martin) Campbell. Her parents were natives of the State of NY and were farmers. They moved to Delaware County, where her father died. Her mother afterwards came to Ogle Co IL where she spent the closing years of her life.
Mr. and Mrs. Sanford located on Section 1, Jordan Township, Nov. 8, 1836. They came direct from the town of Middletown, Delaware Co NY. They bought 320 acres of land, chiefly located on Section 1. They lived at first in a pioneer's cabin, built of logs in primitive style which they abandoned in a very few years to take possession of the first frame house built in the township, erected by the proprietor. The entire property of Mr. Sanford is under improvement, including 204 acres which he owns in Jordan Township and 101 in Ogle County.
In 1848 the ancient village of Sanfordville, which was named for Mr. Sanford, was laid out, but is now in decay. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Sanford - Mary Jane born Feb. 5, 1837, and married Edwin Wolcot Dec. 13, 1854. She died March 25, 1861. Nancy was born April 15, 1839, and was married Oct. 22, 1857 to Gilbert Finkle. Rachel A. was born Oct. 12, 1852 and died Dc. 4, 1855. Mrs. Sanford belongs to the Baptist Church. Mr. Sanford is a Democrat in political faith. Probably the familiar features of no pioneer of the county will be more welcomed within this Album by the people of Whiteside County than those of this venerable man.
Portrait and Biographical Whiteside Co IL 1885 Pg 459
