Elias A. Sanford was born in Greenvale, Ill., on June 16, 1852, and passed away July 15, 1922, at Battle Creek, Mich. He was the son of Elias and Elvira Sanford. While young he went with his parents to Dodge Centre, Minn., where he lived for many years.
On February 6, 1875, he married Mrs. Elnore Mills Severance, who died June 3, 1903. To them were born three children, Mrs. O. D. Crandall, Harry O. Sanford and Mrs. W. L. Coalwell. On October 2, 1904, he was joined in marriage to Mrs. Gertrude Severance Hood. To them was born one son, Kenneth. Both wives were widows with families when he married them, and to their children he proved a faithful and loving father. For the benefit of his own and his wife’s health he moved with his family in 1916, to Riverside, Cal., later to Gentry, Ark., and finally to Battle Creek. Mich., where they resided until his death.
In young manhood he gave his heart to Christ and united with the Dodge Centre Seventh Day Baptist Church, of which he remained an active and honored member for many years. To this church he gave unstinted time and service in the various offices and places of trust as trustee, moderator, treasurer, and for many years as a deacon. He closely identified himself with religious work wherever he went, being president of the Board of Trustees and acting deacon of the Battle Creek Seventh Day Baptist Church at the time of his death. He was faithful, kind and true, a good neighbor and a useful citizen and will be sadly missed.
