| WI BIO -
Racine Co - SANDFORD, A. C. History of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical, 1879, pp 610-611 A. C. SANDFORD, editor of the Racine "Advocate" [City of Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin], was born 07 November 1824 in Kent County, England, at a place near Dover. His parents removed to the United States in the spring of 1830, bringing him with them, and located near the town of Vernon, Oneida County, New York, and there engaged in [p 611] agricultural pursuits. A. C. remained in that occupation until the fall of 1839, when he went to New York City and attended school two years, after which time he returned to his father's and remained on the farm. In April 1841 A. C. SANDFORD went into the "Observer" office at Utica [Oneida County, New York] as an apprentice to the printing business, and was there until June 1844. He was then employed in a job printing office in Utica until the spring of 1845. After a vacation of some months he took a position as compositor in a book printing office in New York City. In January 1846 he went to Boston [Suffolk County, Massachusetts] and engaged for a short time in stereotyping work for the New England Type Foundry. In March 1846 he published his first paper, the Madison County "Democrat" at Chittenango [Madison County], New York; it was continued for two years. In the fall of 1848 Mr. SANDFORD went to Canandaigua [Ontario County], New York, and there published the Ontario "Messenger," his connection therewith beginning 01 January 1849. On 01 January 1850 he sold out his business and went to Rome [Oneida County], New York, there purchasing a half interest in the "Roman Citizen." He remained in Rome until October 1854, associated with his brother, although he did the editorial work himself. On 16 April 1849 he [A. C. SANDFORD] married Miss Eunice A. WHIPPLE, who was born near the town of Cazenovia, Madison County, New York. In November 1854 he came to Racine, bought the "Advocate," and has ever since been connected therewith. Mr. SANDFORD has always been identified with the anti-slavery party, but has never sought after or held a political office. [The "Advocate" was established 23 November 1842 by its first editor, Thomas J. WISNER. The paper was then three dollars a year if delivered to the door, or two dollars a year by mail subscription. Thomas J. WISNER died on 12 August 1843 of typhus, aged twenty-seven years (page 448). Later editors of the "Advocate" include Marshall M. STRONG (31 October 1843), Philo WHITE (17 December 1844), J. C. BUNNER (24 March 1846 and again on 16 April 1851), John W. TROWBRIDGE (15 January 1851), John A. HARRISON (December 1852), Charles CLEMENT and Andre MATTESON as associate editors, the paper then taking an anti-slavery viewpoint (29 November 1853), and Charles CLEMENT alone (26 January 1853 and again on 24 April 1854). The text states (page 449) that "With the close of the year 1854, Mr. CLEMENT retired from the paper, having sold his office to Mr. A. C. SANDFORD. The energy which Mr. CLEMENT infused into his journal, based upon a high sense of right and a bold devotion to duty, had elevated the "Advocate" to the foremost rank of Wisconsin newspapers." Thus by 1854 when Mr. SANDFORD purchased the "Advocate," it had been in existence for twelve years and was already a well-established and respected newspaper. Submitter also raises the question of what relationship, if any, existed between A. C. SANDFORD and Stephen SANDFORD, who came to Caledonia Township in December 1835 (Racine County not created until 07 December 1836), then in Michigan Territory, the Territory of Wisconsin being created 20 April 1836.] Submitted by Cathy Kubly |