Biography - James Stansifer
JAMES T. STANSIFER. One of the most prominent men in the city of Litchfield, Ill., is the gentleman whose well-known name opens this sketch. He represents the city as Alderman from the Third Ward, and is a member of the real-estate, insurance and loan firm of Wood & Stansifer.
James T. Stansifer was born in Florence, Boone County, Ky., October 24, 1842. He was the son of Henry and Lucy (Richardson) Stansifer, and passed his childhood days there beneath the parental roof. His father followed the occupation of carpenter, and was a man much respected in his community. His last days were spent in Boone County.
The early education of our subject was obtained in Boone County, but at the age of fourteen years he left school and went to Auglaize County, Ohio, and located at Wapakoneta, and remained in that town for a space of two years. He then came to Centralia, Ill., in the winter of 1860, and there enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second Illinois Infantry, at first for State service and then for the three years of the war. He was sent to Cairo, Bird's Point, and then with the Army of the Mississippi to New Madrid and Island No. 10. He was through the siege of Corinth (promoted to be Second Lieutenant), and was at Nashville under Gen. Palmer, and was then put into McCook's Division of Sheridan's Corps. He went through the Stone River campaign, and was one of the brave unfortunates who were wounded on the bloody field of Chickamauga. He was then discharged from the army for disability after a long and painful time in the hospital. This release was obtained February 27, 1804, and he then became a farmer in Montgomery County in this State. This occupation he carried on until August 1, 1890, when he went into his present partnership with Mr. Wood in the insurance and loan business.
Mr. Stansifer still owns a farm of one hundred and forty acres in Zanesville Township, which is well managed, although the residence of Mr. Stansifer is in Litchfield. He is also part owner of the Wood & Stansifer Addition, and is a stockholder in the Homestead Loan Association. He is a man of good business qualifications, and stands high in the commercial circles of the county.
On November 18, 1866, Miss Abigail Barnett, of Barnett, Montgomery County, Ill., became Mrs. James T. Stansifer, and three interesting children have been added to the household. They are Stephen H., Minnie and Albert R., all fine representatives of the Prairie State.
The family of Mr. Stansifer are consistent members of the Christian Church and followers of the moral precepts promulgated by the great and good founder, Alexander Campbell. The war record of our subject is a fine one, and will be remembered by his companions in arms as well as by those who have profited by the sacrifices he made. The true American can never grow indifferent toward her veteran soldiers.
Extracted 29 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 140-141.
