Anson Sanford Post #44

Sanford, Midland County, Michigan

Organized September 24, 1889

It is possible that this Post was named to honor the Anson Sanford who served in Company C, 1^st Ohio Light Artillery. He enlisted September 9, 1861 at age 20 and served until his discharge at Camp Cleveland, Ohio on June 15, 1865. There is an Anson Sanford, born in Ohio, who appears in the 1870 Federal Census in Jerome Township, Midland County.  His wife, Francis, was born in New York and son Wilber B., age 3, was born in Ohio, daughter Anna, age 1 was born in Michigan. He does not appear in the 1880 Census and no record of a pension request exists. His age, at this point, 28, appears to make him a good prospect and it seems that he may have died by the time this Post was formed.   His children, including a third child, Oceola, age 9, are enumerated with the family of Albert Tripp, as step-children, his wife, Frank, is probably Francis as everything else fits.

The Post was Mustered with 11 Charter Members.

The first Post Commander was  John W. H. Brook who enlisted in Company K, 4^th Pennsylvania and was discharged from Company H, 28^th Pennsylvania on August 30, 1865.

The Post indicates it met at the G.A.R. Hall in Sanford and the Macabee Hall in 1896. In 1915 they indicate meeting at a "house" in Sanford.

A note on the June 30, 1891 Report indicates - "Lewis J. Utter - Hon. Discharge_ Because the Post moved out of the church which he is a member."

Note - Report of June 30, 1912 - "Comrad we have not enough members to go around we tried to have Comrad Pawling come back in the post & take the office of QM but he would not so we deposited the funds in the Bank & draw from the Bank."

Last Report filed June 30 1917 - five members reported, -Listed were officers - John M. Howe, Cdr, - Hiram Thornton, SVC - John Verity , JVC - Edwin Francis, OD.

The Last Post Commander, John M. Howe served in Company B, 136^th New York Infantry from August 23, 1862 to June 13, 1865.

The Post was disbanded in 1914.