Photo taken: Osborn Studio, Binghamton, NY, circa 1899
Purchased: August 2017 Madison-Bouckville Antiques Week
The photographic studio of Emerson Osborn operated in Binghamton NY from 1885 to his retirement in 1908.
This young man appears to be about 5 years old, and the photo appears to have been taken in the late 1890s, so I can estimate a birth year of around 1893 or 1894.
There is a Charles Robert Stafford in Broome County, NY, who was born Jan 24, 1894 to parents John H. and Mary J. Stafford.
The family appears on the 1905 New York State Census, living in Binghamton (Broome County) NY.
STAFFORD, John H., head, 42, born in England, plumber
STAFFORD, Mary J., wife, 39, born in U.S.
STAFFORD, Charles R., son, 11, born in U.S., at school
1909 Feb 18, Charles' mother Mary Merrilees Stafford died.
1909 Sept 25, The Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin carried a story on the upcoming Binghamton Fair athletics meet on Sept 28. Charles R. Stafford is entered in the 100 yard dash, the 440 yard open, and the Five-mile marathon. Quote: "Charles Stafford, one of the youngest contestants, won second in the 100-yard dash at the Montrose Fair under the AAU rules. He is a promising athlete and is sure to make good."
The 1910 Federal Census shows a 16 year old Charles Stafford living in Binghamton.
STAFFORD, John H., head, 46, widowed, born in England, imm. 1882, plumber
STAFFORD, John Sr., father, 82, born in England, imm. 1884
STAFFORD, Sarah, mother, 79, born in England
STAFFORD, Charles, son, 16, New York, of English and Pennsylvania parents
Another family lives in the same house at that time:
REYCROFT, W.C., head, 40, born in NY to NY parents, tailor in a tailor shop
REYCROFT, Hannah, wife, 36, married 10 yr, has had 1 child (living), born in England of English parents
REYCROFT, William, son, 8, born in NY of NY and English parents
I mention the second family at this address only because I am in possession of another photograph from the same Antique Show, and it is also stamped with a studio mark from Binghamton, NY. The subject of the second photo is a "Geo T. Reycroft." (I will research that photo in the next post, and will perhaps solve the mystery of how these two families are related.) But now, back to the STAFFORD family.
Charles is mentioned throughout the local newspaper 1909-1913 as a talented athlete and actor. Besides his skill at running track (athletics), he also played High School Basketball and had roles in plays staged by the local YMCA.
From the 21 Apr 1911 edition of the paper, here is a picture (at right) of Charles Stafford, in costume for a play called "Too Much Married". He would have been about 17 at this time.
Mrs Sarah Stafford (John's mother, Charles' grandmother) died in November 1911. Her obit in the Press and Sun Bulletin makes note of the fact that one of her daughters is named Anna Reycroft. (I wonder if that is the same person as the "Hanna Reycroft" who was living in the same house in 1910.)
Charles Robert Stafford died Oct 29, 1913 at age 19. I have been trying every source I know to determine the cause of death, but so far I have found no mention of it. The local newspaper carried a brief mention that he had died at home.
1930 - John H. Stafford founded a college scholarship grant for students at the Trinity Memorial Church. The gift is still bestowed to this day.
Charles is buried at Floral Park Cemetery Johnson City, Broome County, New York, USA.
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