Canfield article by Karen
William Wallace Canfield
By Karen Cuccinello
This guy was a bit tricky as there were two William Canfields in Stamford born a year apart.
William was born May 15, 1880 in Stamford to John B. (1844-1892) and Lydia Maria (Denny 1849-1926) Canfield. His siblings were Otis, Cora and Perry. His mother Lydia, of Harpersfield, had previously married Delos Swart, of Laurens, January 1, 1866 and took him to court in 1872, I believe for a divorce, because in the 1875 Stamford census she is working for John’s family: Elija Canfield age 66 farmer, Elizabeth 57, John B. 31 farmer, Edward G. 20, Lydia Denny 26 hired girl, Libbie Miller 18 hired girl. This would be how William’s parents got together.
William married Leila Maud Baker (1880-1912), of Ruth, NY (in Jefferson) in Stamford on October 15, 1902; they were both age 22. He listed his occupation as a wood turner in the marriage certificate. They had at least two children, Florence (Mrs. Donald W. VanDusen 1904-1997) and Gleason (1907-1981). He married Nina Veda Elderkin, a teacher of Walton, age 20, June 25, 1913 after his first wife’s death. This marriage did not last, for whatever reason, as his 1917-18 WWI Registration Card listed his daughter Florence as his nearest relative. The other information on the card states that he is age 38, a self-employed farmer of medium height and build, blue eyes and black hair.
William died in North Harpersfield at the home of his daughter Florence July 23, 1940. Burial in Stamford.
Photo from the Stamford Village Library history room.