VT BIO - Franklin Co - ALFORD, Albert Gallatin & Alonzo

Men of Vermont: An Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery, comp. Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, 
Part III, Sons of Vermonters, pp 3-4

Biography of Albert Gallatin ALFORD - p 4 (Portrait p 4)

Albert Gallatin ALFORD, of Baltimore, Maryland, son of Ammi and Clarissa G. 
(WHITE) ALFORD, was born at St. Albans [Franklin County, Vermont], 14 October 
1847, and afterwards removed to Waterville [Lamoille County, Vermont]. Death 
breaking up his parents' home while he was yet a boy, Mr. [Albert Gallatin] 
ALFORD was thrown upon his own resources, having had only the advantages of 
the village schools. After a short time spent in the American Hotel at 
Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont] he went to New Haven [New Haven 
County], Connecticut, to learn a trade. At the age of seventeen he enlisted 
in the U. S. Engineer Corps at New Haven, 21 February 1865, and served three 
years, having been promoted an artificer. A taste for military life has 
always been fostered; and while living in Chicago [Cook County, Illinois] in 
1874, he enlisted in the 1st Regiment, Illinois National Guard, and was 
rapidly promoted, holding a lieutenant's commission at the time of his 
resignation when he moved to Baltimore; and from 1886 to 1893 held the office 
of captain, ordnance officer and inspector of rifle practice in the 1st 
Regiment, Maryland National Guard.

In business life he early became connected with the great firm of gun 
manufacturers, E. Remington & Sons, and from 1874 to 1883 was their manager 
of the arms department in Chicago and later general manager of their entire 
business in Baltimore, when in 1883 he established the great sporting goods 
house now known as the A. G. Alford Sporting Goods Company.

Mr. ALFORD has occupied a leading part in social organizations and societies. 
From the George H. Thomas Post, G. A. R., of Chicago, he was transferred to 
Custer Post, No. 6, of Maryland, in 1879, in which post he served as 
commander; also as assistant inspector general; two terms on 
commander-in-chief's staff; junior vice department commander of Maryland in 
1882; and has served continuously as department and national officer from 
1880 to 1891 in positions mentioned, and also as chief mustering officer and 
A. D. C. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and U. 
S. Benevolent Fraternity; of the latter he is one of the supreme officers.

Mr. ALFORD has never sought political preferment, but has always been a 
Republican, and in 1893 was the unanimous choice of the Republicans of his 
ward for first branch city council, and although this ward was over five 
hundred Democratic the year previous, was defeated by only thirty-three votes.

In 1886 [Albert Gallatin ALFORD] married Clara Augusta, daughter of William 
T. and Margaret ROBINSON of Baltimore, and has two daughters: Delia R. and 
Bessie P. Mrs. ALFORD is the department treasurer of the Women's Relief 
Corps, and one of the organizers of the department.

Biography of Alonzo ALFORD - pp 3-4 (Portrait p 3)

Alonzo ALFORD, of Brooklyn, New York, son of Ammi and Clarissa (WHITE) 
ALFORD, was born in St. Albans [Franklin County], Vermont, 28 January 1837. 
He received the educational advantages of the schools of St. Albans, and at 
the age of twenty took a position with A. G. STRONG, hardware merchant of 
Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont], and after four years removed to New 
Haven [New Haven County], Connecticut, and engaged in the flour and grain 
business with Wadhams & Merwin. In 1863 he located in New York, was a 
salesman for Merwin & Bray, predecessors of Merwin, Hulbert & Company, and a 
few years later having become interested in the Ballard Rifle Manufacturing 
Company, was chosen treasurer and manager of that concern, and subsequently 
organized the house of Alford, Berkele & Clapp, which firm, besides carrying 
on its own business as jobbers of firearms, was the New York distributing 
agents of E. Remington & Sons, predecessors of the Remington Arms Company. 
In 1871, when the Remingtons opened their New York warerooms, Mr. ALFORD was 
placed in charge of them as general manager, occupying that position for 
eight years, and then purchased the business from the then embarrassed 
company, and conducted it successfully for two years, when he sold it back to 
the Remingtons and resumed his old position as manager. In 1881 he resigned 
this position, purchased the controlling interest in a tool and cutlery 
manufactory in Massachusetts, and established warerooms in New York for the 
sale of these wares. The success of this concern began from the first, and 
in 1883 it was incorporated under the title of the Alford & Berkele Company, 
with Mr. ALFORD as president, a position which he still occupies. In 1887 
the Alford & Berkele Company bought out the Avery Sewing Machine Company, and 
organized the Avery Sewing Machine Agency, Mr. ALFORD being elected president 
and holding the position at the present time, 30 June 1893.

Mr. ALFORD is a Republican, and since his residence in Brooklyn [New York] 
has been chairman of the Ward Association, member of the general committee, 
and a liberal supporter of his party. He is a member and one of the deacons 
of the Central Congregational Church of Brooklyn; a member of the 
Congregational [p 4] Club, the Sons of Temperance; for twenty years a member 
of the directory of the Young Men's Christian Association; a director of the 
Congregational Church Building Society, and of the City Mission and Tract 
Society, and president of the Mercantile Benefit Association. He is a 
prominent Mason and Odd Fellow; was treasurer of the Amateur Rifle Club 
during its existence, and a life member of the National Rifle Association, 
out of which was organized the American Rifle Team, which distinguished 
itself at Dollymount, Wimbledon, and Creedmoor.

Mr. [Alonzo] ALFORD was united in marriage at Bernardston [Franklin County], 
Massachusetts, 01 February 1860, to Chloe Cornelia, daughter of Henry and 
Sylvania A. (HALE) SLATE. Mrs. ALFORD is an active Christian worker, and is 
treasurer of the National NPWCTU [Nonpartisan Women’s Christian Temperance 
Union], and for many years was the publisher of the official organ of the 
WCTU [Women's Christian Temperance Union, which was organized in 1874], "Our 
Union," now the "Union Signal," and at present publisher of the "Temperance 
Tribune."

Since the foregoing was written, Mr. [Alonzo] ALFORD has retired from 
business, and has taken up his residence at Bernardston [Franklin County], 
Massachusetts, where he has a comfortable country home.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly