Alfred K. Standefer
From: Compendium
of Local Biography – Sequatchie County, TN; p. 29
"Alfred K. Standefer, one of the leading and highly-esteemed agriculturists of Sequatchie county, was born in Bledsoe County, Tenn., February 24, 1849, and is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and most distinguished families of the Sequatchie valley, his grandfather, James Standefer, and Amos Griffith being among the first settlers here. The latter was born April 19, 1779, and his wife, Patsy Standefer, was born January 19, 1783. They were the parents of six children, namely: William S., who was born in 1801, and was a child of five years when brought by his parents to the valley; Luck C. A United States soldier, who was born November 3, 1810, and it is supposed was killed by the Indians; Jesse H., born September 3, 1812; Skelton Carrroll, born April 12, 1815; James M., born October 6, 1817; and Eliza Ann, born August 31, 1820.
The father of these children was one of the most prominent men of this region, and for two terms he represented his district in the United States congress. While on the way to Washington, he died suddenly at Kingston, Roane county, Tenn., August 20, 1837, and his wife departed this life June 14, 1848.
Skelton Carroll Standefer, our subject’s father, was born just above the Pope place in Bledsoe county, and has spent his entire life in the Sequatchie valley. He was probably a Whig in early life, but since the Civil war has given his allegiance to the Democracy. He was a soldier in both the Florida and Mexican wars, and is a man highly respected by all who know him. He married Nancy Kane, and the children born to them are as follows: Martha, wife of a Mr. Hornsby of Yell County, Ark.; Pernina, wife of J. P. Minto, of the same county; Sarah, wife of Josiah Hones, of Clarksville, Tenn; Polly, widow of John Johnson, and a resident of Dunlap, Tenn.; Lucy wife of Patrick Lamb, of Dunlap; William, a farmer of Bledsoe county; Alfred K., of this sketch; Tabitha, who married Cass Bice, and died in Texas; and Thomas, who died in Bledsoe county, Tenn.
On leaving the parental roof, at the age of seventeen years, Alfred K. Standefer went to live with the Pope family on the Alex. Pope land, remaining with them until his marriage, Miss Julia Elliott becoming his wife January 28, 1860. She was born October 14, 1847, a daughter of William B. Elliott, a prominent citizen of Sequatchie county, and she died October 28, 1893. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Standefer, as follows: Jane, now the wife of Josiah Harmon, of the Second district of Sequatchie county; Mattie, wife of J. T. Wheeler; John, a farmer of the Second district; Margaret wife of William Whitlow; Lila, wife of Daniel Boyd; Pernina, wife of Isham Kenner; Myrtle, wife of Lewis Cordell; Carroll, Ada and Ida, all at home; and William A., Nancy and Florence all deceased. Mr. Standefer was again married March 18, 1893, his second union being with Miss Polly Monnahan, who was born October 7, 1868, and is a daughter of Daniel Monnahan. Two children graced this union, Phoebe and Rachel, the latter now deceased.
Mr. Standefer prefers living on the Cumberland mountains, and about fifteen years ago he purchased his present farm, to which he removed the following year, making it his home ever since. He deserves great credit for the success that he has achieved in life, for he started out empty-handed, and has succeeded in accumulating a comfortable competence through his own unaided efforts."
