Alonzo M. Hannaford, who is serving as police magistrate at Roodhouse, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, July 1, 1842, his parents being James and Rebecca (Bennet) Hannaford. The father was born in Peterboro, New Hampshire, in 1801, and died there at the venerable age of ninety-nine years. When a young man he went to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he entered the employ of the Merrimac Manufacturing plant, and, working his way upward, he eventually became superintendent. He was afterward sent to Macon, Georgia, as the representative of the company, and after two years he returned to Lowell, where he remained until 1857, when he again became a resident of Peterboro, New Hampshire, living at the old homestead, where he died in 1900.

Alonzo M. Hannaford was educated in the public schools and when a youth of fifteen years enlisted in the United States Navy on the frigate Independence, as a wardroom boy, thus serving until 1861, when he enlisted in the Second New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. he joined this command on the 26th of April and was with the Army of the Potomac for three years. He was wounded at Williamsburg, on the 5th of May, 1862, and again at Gettysburg, on the 2d of July, 1863. He participated in twenty-seven battles and twelve skirmishes and was mustered out at Concord, New Hampshire, June 21, 1864. In the same year, as a civilian, where he remained until May 19, 1865.

In August, 1866, Mr. Hannaford became connected with railroad operation at Cleveland, Ohio, as a fireman. In May, 1867, he became an employee of the Chicago & Alton Railroad and the following year located at Jacksonville, Illinois. He has been a resident of Roodhouse since 1877. He remained in the active service of the railroad company until he was obliged to retire on account of physical disability brought on by his service in the Civil War.

Mr. Hannaford, is quite prominent in fraternal circles. He is a member of E. M. Husted Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of which he ha served as secretary since 1900. Since 1892 he has been first assistant engineer of Division 220, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and is commander of Jacob Fry Post, No. 193, G. A. R. His political allegiance is unfalteringly given the Republican party and in 1897 he was elected justice of the peace, in which position he served for one term. He was then chosen police magistrate and re-elected in 1904 for a term of four years, in a Democratic precinct. His personal worth and popularity are widely acknowledged and as an officer he is as true to his duties as he was to his country when he followed her banners upon the battlefields of the south.

On the 5th of February, 1868, Mr. Hannaford was married to Miss Mary A. Swan, a daughter of Charles A. Swan, formerly foreman of the roundhouse at Roodhouse. At the time of her marriage Mrs. Hannaford was a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. Unto them have been born thirteen children: Frank G. is now living on a ranch twenty miles from Texarkana, Texas; Charles A., who is now following railroading, lives in Roodhouse and is married and has six children; Arthur B. is at San Bernardino, California; Henry B. is at Springfield in the employ of the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad Company; Maud B. is at home; Gertie M. and Adelaide M. are also with their parents; James R. died in 1898; George W. Oscar M.., Clara and Jessie are all at home; and one child died in infancy. Gertie and George are graduates of the high school of Roodhouse.

Mr. Hannaford had meager educational privileges but his travels and experiences have made him a man of intelligence and wide observation has added largely to his knowledge. He is very popular in railroad circles in Roodhouse and his many sterling traits of manhood have gained for him the regard and friendship of a large majority of those with whom business, political and social relations have brought him in contact.