My Genealogy Hound

A. G. Cessford, grocer of Lamar, was born in Schenectady, N. Y., November 17, 1844, and is the son of Andrew and Mary (McCollum) Cessford. The father was born in Scotland, and when a young man came to America, where he married Miss McCollum, a native of New York. He was an architect and builder by profession. He died in 1853. The mother is still living on the farm opened by her grandfather prior to the Revolutionary War. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cessford were active members of the Presbyterian Church. In their family were four children, three now living, two sons and a daughter. The youngest but one of these children received a good English education, and in July, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Forty-Fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, Federal Army, known as Ellsworth’s Avengers, and was in the battle of Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, second Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and a number of minor engagements. He was three times slightly wounded, at South Ann, at Upperville and at Gettysburg. When the regiment went out, it was 1,060 strong, and, when it was mustered out at the close of the term of service, (three years) there were but 134 men. During his entire service he was never from his command but six weeks, and never in the field hospital. At the close of the war he was employed as detective at Washington, and in 1865 came West and worked for the Government on the railroad in various capacities —machinist, engineer and conductor. For a time he was master mechanic, and subsequently purchasing agent for the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad. October 24, 1872, he married Miss Amanda Booth, a native of Illinois. On account of her ill health he went to the Rocky Mountains, where he also followed railroading. In 1873 he commenced merchandising at Albia, Iowa, where he continued about two years. In 1877 he opened a grocery store in El Dorado, Kan., which he ran until 1880, when he moved his stock to Lamar. He was one of the first aldermen of Lamar; is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Knight Templar in the same; is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the G. A. R. To his marriage was born one child, Minnie, who is deceased. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Cessford was a Revolutionary soldier.