BIOGRAPHY: Daniel Rowe STRATFORD, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, 
Pennsylvania.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, 
pages 451-452.
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  DANIEL ROWE STRATFORD, Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pa., was born at 
Lewistown, May 21, 1852, son of Charles John and Catherine (Rowe) Stratford. 
He is a grandson of Thomas Stratford, a native and resident of England, 
whose children were: Sabina; Julia; Frederick; William; Charles and Mrs. 
Higgins, of Benton county, Iowa. Frederick Stratford, the eldest son of this 
family, was an eminent instructor in the English schools, and during his 
latter days, was a Government pensioner. He was also a well-known singer, 
and belonged to the choir of one of the largest churches in London. Charles 
John Stratford was educated in the public schools of England, and came to 
America at the age of eighteen. Landing in Philadelphia, he found employment 
there for a short time as stevedore. He next went to Easton, Pa., and 
applied himself to learning marble-cutting. After serving nearly seven years 
of his apprenticeship, he bought of his master the remaining six months of 
his time; the master was somewhat addicted to intemperance, and was 
especially severe in his treatment of his apprentice. Young Stratford now 
found his way to Lewistown, where he formed a partnership with Mr. 
Kemmerling in the business of marble working, and the cutting of tombstones. 
Mr. Stratford had thoroughly mastered his vocation, and the united efforts 
of the partners soon made their business a prosperous one. In a few years, 
by frugality and good management, Mr. Stratford had saved enough to buy out 
his partner's interest; and for forty years from that time, he conducted an 
extensive and flourishing business on his own account. In the cemeteries of 
the Juniata and Susquehanna valleys may be found many monuments bearing the 
name of Stratford, maker; some of them among those of the largest size and 
most artistic designs.
  In early manhood Mr. Stratford devoted his leisure time to the study of 
the Latin and Greek languages. He was a lover of books, but excluded from 
his attention all but the classics of our own and other languages. He became 
an ardent and enthusiastic advocate of temperance reform, and often, after a 
day of hard work, would gladly walk fifteen or twenty miles to deliver a 
lecture on that subject. His name became identified with temperance cause 
through his zealous efforts in its behalf. In 1870, Mr. Stratford visited 
England for the furtherance of temperance principles, bearing the following 
letter from the Governor of Pennsylvania.
  (Copy of letter from Governor John W. Geary.)
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1870.
  The bearer, Charles Stratford, Esq., of the County of Mifflin, in this 
State, is about to visit England, the land of his nativity, and I give him 
this letter recommending him to the confidence of all whom he may meet as a 
good citizen and of high character, and especially distinguished for his 
active labors on behalf of temperance reform.
  It is hoped all proper facilities may be afforded him to make his sojourn 
abroad agreeable.
  Given under my hand and the great Seal of the State, the day and year 
above written.
     (Signed)     John W. Geary,
                  Governor of Pennsylvania.
  While in England, Mr. Stratford established the first lodge in that 
country of the temperance society known as the Order of Good Templars. His 
devotion to the cause continued after his return to America, until his 
death, which occurred May 6, 1893.
  Charles John Stratford was married to Catherine, daughter of Daniel Rowe, 
January 16, 1837. They had the following children: Temperance, died, aged 
about three years; Charles, married Elizabeth Gray; Loveday Susan (Mrs. 
Timothy Swany), deceased; John Frederick, married Elizabeth M. Kramer; 
Prudence (Mrs. Alfred Smithers); Annie E., died at about twenty-three years 
of age; Daniel Rowe; and Laura Helen (Mrs. Grafton Anderson), of Dakota. 
Mrs. Charles Stratford, the mother, died at the age of sixty-five.
  After pursuing his elementary studies in the common schools of Derry 
township, Daniel R. Stratford attended the Lewistown Academy for a short 
time. At the age of fifteen he went to Iowa, and was for two years employed 
in farm work. When he was eighteen he began to learn stone cutting under his 
father's instructions. In 1870, Charles Stratford, Jr., succeeded to his 
father's business, and Daniel R. Stratford began business on his own account 
in 1878, also at Lewistown. But in 1888, owing to the close competition in 
the trade, the brothers consolidated their interest, and have since done 
business under the name of Lewistown Marble and Granite Works. The firm has 
been more than ordinarily successful. The Messrs. Stratford are masters of 
their craft, and their work is sought after by persons of means and refined 
taste throughout the central part of Pennsylvania. Daniel R. Stratford is a 
Republican. He is a member of the Lewistown Council of the Royal Arcanum. He 
has always manifested a warm interest in locale enterprises, and contributes 
liberally to such as are calculated to promote the welfare of the community.
  Daniel Rowe Stratford was married, October 28, 1875, to Mary E., daughter 
of Jacob and Julia Ann (Brown) Ellinger, a lady of German descent. Their 
children are: Harry, born November 29, 1877, died at the age of eleven 
months; Laura Edith, died in 1894, aged three years; Charles E., born in 
1876; Sarah Grace, born October 8, 1881; William F., born October 8, 1883; 
Julia Ann, born October 2, 1885; and Roy, born July 25, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. 
Stratford are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Stratford is 
one of ten children, of whom five died in early childhood. The surviving 
members of the family are: Mary E. (Mrs. Stratford); Sarah E. (Mrs. Robert 
Miller); John, married Martha Wagner; Jacob, married Caroline Montgomery; 
and William, married Nettie Dillon. Both parents are deceased.