Walter
S. and John H. Standifer
From: Memorial Record of Alabama,
pub. Brant & Fuller, WI, 1893; p.1021
Walter S. Standifer, the present popular and efficient postmaster of Gadsden, was born March 6, 1856, in Cherokee county, Ala., but the family removed to Gadsden in 1869, and he received a limited education. In 1880 he entered the furniture business, and ran it successfully for seven years, and after this, until 1890, he was in the sash, door and blind trade. He then superintended the building of the Chattanooga Southern railroad at Gadsden end of that line, until September, 1891. In that year he was appointed by President Harrison postmaster at Gadsden, and, although a republican, he received the cordial endorsement of nearly every business man in the city. The Times-New of September 24, 1891, among other good things, said:
"Mr. Standifer, while an ardent republican, has the respect and confidence of men of all parties, and is a young man able and willing to perform the duties of a first-class postmaster, and we look for a successful administration of the post office affairs at his hands."
He was married November 8, 1887, to Kate M., daughter of W. P. Hollingsworth, and five children have blessed the marriage, Fred H., Edward M., Mary, Walter S., deceased, and Charles L. Mr. Standifer is a master Mason, an Odd Fellow and K. P. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, has sung in choir since 1873, and is now first tenor in its choir, and takes great interest in its Sunday school. He is devoted to music, and all of his children are natural musicians. His residence is one of the foremost in Gadsden.
John H. Standifer, brother of Walter S., was born in Chesterfield, Ala., February 2, 1862. He began life as a railroad office boy at the age of fourteen years, and since that time has been connected with railroad work, including telegraphy and all the details necessary for a first-class railroad man to know. He spent the year of 1885 in New Orleans, and thence went to Birmingham and Gadsden. He was appointed agent of the Anniston & Cincinnati road at Gadsden, and has since held that position, the road in the meantime having passed into the hands of Louisville & Nashville system. He has since been appointed agent for the Chattanooga & Southern road, and is now serving both roads. He has never married, and, like his brother, is a stanch republican.
