John Webster Sanford, Jr., is prominently known in connection with the lumber and ice trade at Hamden, his native city, where he was born December 26, 1868, a son of John White and Phoebe (Wooding) Sanford. The father was born in the same house as his son, John W., and as a life work engaged in farming and in the wood and ice business, spending his entire life upon the same farm, where he yet resides. His wife was born in Highwood, Hamden, and her life has also been spent within the borders of Hamden.

  John Webster Sanford, Jr., acquired his education in the schools of Hamden and in Miss Emma Dickman’s private school at Mount Carmel and when his textbooks were put aside engaged in farming and in the ice business with his father until he attained his majority. He then entered into partnership with his brother, R. A., under the firm style of Sanford Brothers, for the conduct of a native timber, lumber, wood and ice business. This association was maintained until 1911, when the partnership was dissolved, John W. Sanford, Jr., continuing in the lumber and ice trade. He operates a sawmill and has cut lumber in New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut, having portable sawmills for this purpose. He also conducts a retail lumberyard in Hamden and his business in its various departments has been carefully and systematically managed and has brought splendid financial returns.

  On the 5th of December, 1892, Mr. Sanford was united in marriage to Miss Eva Lawrence, of Hamden, who was born in Ottawa, Canada, and there remained until she reached young womanhood, when she became a resident of New Haven and afterward of Hamden. She is a daughter of James G. and Bessie (Reeves) Lawrence, who were natives of England. Her father is a lithographer and is now living in Hamden. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford have become the parents of two children. Lawrence, who is now first sergeant and drum major at the headquarters of the Second Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard, now in the United States service, married Miss Margaret McLellan, of West Haven, June 21, 1917. The other member of the family is Elizabeth Reeves.

  In his political views Mr. Sanford is a stalwart republican and has taken an active part in politics. He has been called upon to fill various political positions, the duties of which he has discharged with marked promptness and fidelity. He was formerly deputy register of voters, has also been register of voters and general register, and in 1912 he was elected on the republican ticket as representative from his district to the state legislature, serving during the session of 1913 on the railroad committee. He was reelected in 1914 to the legislature and was clerk of the railroad committee for the session of 1915. He specialized during his legislative service in railroad affairs, becoming recognized as an authority upon questions relative thereto. He was at one time treasurer of the Hamden Civic Association and has cooperated heartily, actively and helpfully in many measures which have direct bearing upon the welfare and progress of community and state. His military service covers six years’ connection with the Second Company of the Governor’s Foot Guard, being corporal four years of that time. He is widely and favorably known both as a political leader and as a business man, his industrial and commercial interests being wisely and carefully conducted, his success being the legitimate outcome of close application, indefatigable energy and keen sagacity.