Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 5th ed., 1887,
Franklin Co.

J. R. STAFFORD, born in Louisville, Ky., January 16, 1840, is a son of
Alexander and Esther (Redgate) Stafford.  Alexander was born in Belfast,
Ireland, was a son of John, came to the United States in 1826, and settled
in Louisville.  He was a tanner, worked at his trade in Louisville until
about 1840, then went into business for himself in Louisville till [sic]
1850, then made a trip to Ireland and took all his family with him,
remaining about eighteen months, then returned to Louisville and remained
until his death, which occurred February 12, 1887.  J. R. Stafford was
educated at the public schools in Louisville, and while a boy learned the
cooper's trade.  In 1860 he went to Lafayette, Ind., worked at his trade
until 1864, then enlisted in the Sixteenth Indiana Light Artillery and
remained until the war closed; then went back to Lafayette and worked at
his trade till [sic] 1867, then went to Louisville and was foreman in the
packing house of Hughes, Goslee & Co. (now Hughes, Targett & Co.) till
[sic] 1875, then went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and worked at his trade about
eighteen months; then went to Des Moines, Iowa, and staid [sic] six
months, then went to Omaha, Neb., where he staid [sic] only a few months
and then returned to Louisville; then went to Chicago, Ill., and remained
till [sic] 1880, when he settled in Frankfort and was employed by E. H.
Taylor, Jr., Co., as superintendent of their cooperage work, and still
manages the business successfully.  October 16, 1859, he married Miss
Fannie A. Matthews, of Louisville, daughter of Eli C. Matthews, and seven
children blessed this union, five of whom are living: Clara B., Edith M.,
J. R., Jr., Harry C. and Mary Hugh.  Mr. Stafford is an enthusiastic
Mason, having taken all the degrees in the York Rite.  He is Past Senior
Warden of Preston Lodge, No. 281, Louisville, Ky., Past High Priest of
Frankfort Chapter, No. 3., and now Thrice Illustrious Master of Frankfort
Council, No. 5, and Past Eminent Commander of Frankfort Commandery, No. 4.

Stafford Redgate Matthews
=
Louisville-Jefferson-KY IN IA IL NE Ireland

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/franklin/stafford.jr.txt