Edwards S. Sanford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brevet Brigadier General
Edwards S. Sanford
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| President of the American Telegraph Company | |
| In office 1861–1866 |
|
| Preceded by | Zenus Barnum |
| Succeeded by | Acquired by Western Union |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Edwards Sewall Sanford
March 17, 1817 Medway, Massachusetts |
| Died | September 9, 1882 (aged 65) Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania |
| Spouse | Mary Downing |
| Relations | Milton H. Sanford (brother) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Pierce Academy Day's Academy |
Edwards Sewall Sanford (born March 17, 1817 – died September 9, 1882) was an important American businessman and a soldier. He played a big role in the early days of telegraph communication and even helped the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Contents
Edwards Sanford's Early Life
Edwards Sewall Sanford was born on March 17, 1817, in Medway, Massachusetts. His father, Sewall Sanford, was a well-known businessman. He was famous for making the "first cotton thread manufactured in America."
Edwards was the second son in his family. He had several siblings, including his brother Milton Holbrook Sanford.
He went to school at Pierce Academy in Middleborough, Massachusetts. After that, he continued his education at Day's Academy in Wrentham, Massachusetts.
Sanford's Business Career
.jpg)
To improve his health, Sanford first moved to New Orleans. Then he went to Vicksburg, Mississippi, to start a business. However, he lost all his money during a big economic problem called the panic of 1837.
Because of this, he moved to New York City in 1842. There, he started working for the Adams Express Company. This company delivered packages and goods. Sanford worked very hard and did well.
He was soon put in charge of the company's business in Philadelphia. He helped the company grow a lot, expanding into cities like Baltimore and Pittsburgh. He eventually became the vice-president of Adams Express.
While working there, he also helped create the American Telegraph Company. In 1861, he became the president of this telegraph company. He led the company until it joined with Western Union, another large telegraph company.
Sanford's Military Service
When the American Civil War began, Edwards Sanford offered his skills in telegraph communication to the Union Army. Telegraphs were like early text messages, very important for sending news quickly.
He was made a Colonel in the United States Volunteers. He served as the Military Supervisor of Telegraphic Messages for the Union Army. This meant he oversaw all the important messages sent by telegraph.
In April 1861, his company, the American Telegraph Company, extended its lines. They connected the main office in Washington, D.C., to important places like the War Department. There was no government money for this service at first.
For about six months, General Sanford paid for everything himself. This included poles, wires, equipment, and even the salaries of the operators. He spent thousands of dollars of his own money to help the war effort.
Because of his excellent service, he was promoted to Brevet Brigadier General on March 13, 1865. This was for his "meritorious services," meaning he did a great job.
In 1881, he also helped start the Metropolitan Trust Company.
Sanford's Family Life
Edwards Sanford was married to Mary Downing. They had two children together:
- Mary Riggs Sanford (1846–1903)
- Edwards Sewall Sanford Jr. (1847–1914), who later worked for the Adams Express Company.
Edwards Sewall Sanford passed away on September 9, 1882, in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. He was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
