John
L. Stanford
From:
Kentucky: A History of the State,
Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 7th ed., 1887; p. 707
Simpson County
Judge John L. Stanford was born December 3, 1832, in Simpson County, KY., five miles east of Franklin. He is the second of one boy and two girls born to Lucas and Mary W. (Owings) Stanford, who were born respectively in South Carolina and Kentucky. Lucas Stanford was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a son of John Stanford, who married Mary Lucas, both natives of South Carolina. John Stanford was a soldier in the war for independence. Desiring to better his condition he immigrated to the great West and settled in Simpson County, Ky., about 1808, where the family has resided ever since. He was of English descent. Mrs. Mary W. Stanford was a daughter of Joshua Owings, who married Rachel Spears, natives of Maryland and early settlers of Kentucky. Judge Stanford was reared on a farm and received but a meager common school education. At the age of nineteen he entered the office of the county and circuit clerk, where he remained for four years as deputy. June 21, 1846, he married Mary Susan James, of Simpson County, a native of Logan County and daughter of Charles B. and Rosa (Foster) James. Two children were born by this union, both deceased. Mrs. Stanford died in 1850, and in September, 1864, he married Sarah Rebecca Bryan, of Simpson County, daughter of Robert and Nancy H. (Smith) Bryan, both of Kentucky and of Irish descent. Five children bless their union: Robert L., John W., Emily R., Mary W. and Leland. Judge Stanford and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. After his first marriage he engaged in farming; in 1866 was elected county judge, which place he filed for eight years; in 1874 was appointed master commissioner, which office he filled for seven years; in the fall of 1882 was again elected county judge, which position he now fills. He has also been councilman for six years and is a member of the board of trustees of Franklin Female College. The fact of his being constantly kept in office shows his popularity with the people, and of which he is deserving. As a judge he has the reputation of being the fairest and most impartial in his judgments the county has had for many years. He cast his first presidential vote for Cass in 1848.
