Benjamin Franklin Standiford, a resident of Napa County for the past thirty four years and one of the best known and highly esteemed citizens of this community, passed away at the family residence on F street in this city early this morning following a illness of more than a year's duration.
     Deceased was 77 years of age on Sunday, having been born in Moundsville,West Virginia, in the year of 1843.
     He had been married 52 years and with his family and grand children, among who were three great grand children,celebrated his golden wedding anniversary in this city two years ago.
     Besides a widow, three daughters and one son are left to morn their love one: Mrs. C. J. Sunkler of St. Helens, Mrs. L. F. Sunkler, Mrs. E. R. Apperson, Mrs. G. H. March and Mrs. T. Mendoza of Napa, and Leslie Standiford of Vallejo. There are also two nephews, W. M. and W. W. Coffield and a niece Mrs. Silas Shook of this City.
     The remains are now in the Treadway Chapel. Interment will be made in the family plot at St. Helens Wednesday morning.

Declaration for Original Invalid Pension

State of CALIFORNIA County of NAPA, ss.
     On this 9th day of NOV, A.D. 1889, personally appeared before me, CLERK of the SUPERIOR a court of record within and for the County and State aforesaid, B. F. STANDIFORD aged 45 years a resident of the TOWN of ST HELENA county of NAPA State of CALI who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical B. F. STANDIFORD who was enrolled on the 14" day of AUG 1862, in Company C, of the 12" Regiment W.Va. INFT commanded by Capt E. G. BARTLETT and was honorably discharged at Wheeling, W.Va. on the 20" day of JUNE 1865 that his personal description is as follows: Age 45 years; Height 5 feet, 10 inches: complexion DARK; hair DARK; eyes DARK. That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of his duty at BUCHANNAN in the State of EAST VA on or about the month of SEPT 1862 he CONTRACTED MEASLES RESULTING PARTLY LOSS OF SIGHT AND LOSS OF HAIR.

That he was treated in hospitals as follows: WAS IN HOSPITAL @ BUCHANON 3 MONTHS.

That he has NOT been employed in the military or naval service otherwise than as stated above.

That since the 20" day of JUNE 1865, he has not been employed in the military or naval service. That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in First, West Virginia; second, Texas; third California and his occupation has been that of a FARMER. That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound, physical health, being when enrolled a FARMER. that he is now GREATLY disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries, above described, received in the service of the United States; and he therefore makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the invalid pension roll of the United States.

He hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, Patrick O'Farrell, of Washington, DC, his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim. That he has NOT received OR applied for a Pension. That his postoffice address is ST HELENA in the County of NAPA and State of CALI.

Claimant's Signature - B. F. STANDIFORD

Attest: H. M. Meacham & J. T. Johnston

Testimony of Employers, Neighbors or Acquaintances of Soldier.
[Other Than Near Relatives]

State of CALIFORNIA, County of NAPA ss:
     In the pension claim of BENJAMIN F. STANDIFORD late of Co C 12" W.Va. Vols.
     On this 6th day of JUNE, A.D. 1898, before me, a N. W. Collins, County Clerk, in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly authorized to administer oaths, personally appeared G. W. PETERSON aged 58 years, a resident of NAPA CITY, in the county of NAPA, and State of CALIFORNIA, whose Post Office address is NAPA, and J. H. JOHNSTON aged 40 years, a resident of NAPA CITY, in the county of NAPA, and State of California, whose Post Office address is NAPA, well known to me to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
     That we have been well acquainted with said soldier, for 4 years, and 4 years, respectively, and that we were familiar with his physical condition during the period from December 1st 1894 until June 1st 1898 and knew him to be affected as follows: WITH MALARIA FEVER OCTOBER 1896 WHICH CAUSED DISEASE OF KIDNEYS BY BEING PERSONALY ACQUAINTED WITH CLAIMANT AND NOT DUE TO VICIOUS HABITS.
     That the degree of disability for the performance of manual labor resulting from above causes, in our opinion, was during said time as follows, viz: during the year 1896 was totaly disabled for about eight months and in 1897 for about six months and two months in 1898.

Signature of Affiants: G. W. PETERSON & J. H. JOHNSTON

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., Nov 16, 1889
So. Div.
I.O. No. 740.139
Benjamin F. Standiford
Co C. 12 Reg't W.Va. Vol. Inf.

Sir: Will you kindly answer, at your earliest convenience, the questions enumerated below? The information is requested for future use, and it may be of great value to your family.

Very respectfully, H. Clay Evans, Commissioner

Benjamin F. Standiford
Vallejo
Solano Co Calif

No. 1. Are you married man? If so, please state your wife's full name, and her maiden name.
Answer: Yes, Susan A. Standiford maiden Susan A. Eckels

No. 2. When, where, and by whom were you married?
Answer: Nov 12 1868 in Marshall Co West Va J H Davis minister

No. 3. What record of marriage exists?
Answer: Marriage Certificate

No. 4. Were your previously married? If so, please state the names of your former wife and the date and place of her death and divorce.
Answer: No

No. 5. Have you any children living? If so please state their names and the dates of their birth.
Answer: Yes. DORA born December 18 1869. ULYSSES born August 23 1873. Leona born January 28 1875. CARRY born April 7 1879. DELLA born Sept 7 1881. JESSE born Sept 17 1883. P.S. Please send me an order to be examined as I have never been since I. W. Morris had my claim.

Date of reply, Nov 26, 1899
B. F. Standiford

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., April 8, 1902
So. Div.
Inv. Orig. No. 740.139
Benjamin F. Standiford
Co C. 12 Reg't W.Va. Vol. Inf.

Sir: Will you kindly answer, at your earliest convenience, the questions enumerated below? The information is requested for future use, and it may be of great value to your family.

Very respectfully, H. Clay Evans, Commissioner

Benjamin F. Standiford
508 Frankin St. Napa
Napa Co California

1. When were your born?
Answer: December 26 1843.

2. Where were your born?
Answer: in Marshall Co W.Va.

3. When did you enlist?
Answer: August 14, 1862.

4. Where did you enlist?
Answer: at Wheeling W.Va.

5. Where had you lived before you enlisted?
Answer: in W.Va.

6. What was your post-office address at enlistment?
Answer: Roseby's Rock, W.Va.

7. What was your occupation at enlistment?
Answer: a farmer

8. When were you discharged?
Answer: Some time in June 1865

9. Where were you discharged?
Answer: at Wheeling, W.Va.

10. Where have you lived since discharge? Give dates, as nearly as possible, of any changes of residence.
Left W.Va. in 1874 lived in Texas 1 year came to California 76 been here since.

11. What is your present occupation?
Answer: Laborer

12. What is your height?
Answer: 5 feet 10 inches. Your weight? 150 pounds. The color of your eyes? Brown. The color of your hair? Dark brown. Your complexion? Dark. Are there any permanent marks or scars on your person? If so, describe them. no

13. What is your full name? Please write it on the line below, in ink, in the manner in which you are accustomed to sign it, in the presence of two witnesses who can write.

B. F. STANDIFORD

Witnesses: Edw. S. Bell & H. Hollingsworth

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C., January 2, 1915

Sir: Please answer, at your earliest convenience, the questions enumerated below. The information is requested for future use, and it may be of great value to your widow or children. Use the inclosed envelope, which requires no stamp.

G. M. Salzgabber, Commissioner

NAP CAL APRIL 1, 1915

No. 1. Date and place of birth?
Answer: I was born December 26 1843 in West Va.
The name of organizations in which you served?
Answer: Company C 12 reg West Va Vols.

No. 2. What was your post office at enlistment?
Answer: Rosebys Rock West Va

No. 3. State your wife's full name and her maiden name.
Answer: Susan Amanda Eckels Standiford

No. 4. When, where, and by whom were you married?
Answer: November 12, 1868 in West Va. James Davis minister

No. 5. Is there any official or church record of your marriage? myself and wife belong to Christian
Answer: If so, where? Answer: in Napa Cal.

No. 6. Were you previously married? If so, state the name of your former wife, the date of the marriage, and the date and place of her death or divorce. If there was more than one previous marriage, let your answer include all former wives.
Answer: my wife was 22 and I was 25 years old when we were married in West Va neither one ever married before both residents of West Va at that time.

No. 7. (Pertains to previous marriages - There were none in this case)

No. 8. Are you now living with your wife, or has there been a separation?
Answer: yes liveing with wife

No. 9. State the names and dates of birth of all your children, living or dead.
Answer:

Dora Standiford was born December 18 1869
Ulyes L(?) was born August 23 1873
Sarah L(?) was born January 28 1875
Carrie Standiford was born April 7 1878
Dellie Standiford was born September 7 1881
Jessie Standiford was born September 17 1883

B. F. STANDIFORD
412 Fst Napa Cal

Pensioner Dropped
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Feb 14 1921
Certificate No. 1055537
Act of May 1, 1920
Soldier - Benjamin F. Standiford
Service - C 12 WVa Inf

The Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir:
I have the honor to report that the name of the above-described pensioner who was last paid at $50, to Dec 4 1920 has this day been dropped from the roll because of DEATH DEC 27/20......

(illegible)
Chief, Finance Division

Information from Death Certificate

Date of Death: Dec 27, 1920
Wife: Susan A. Standiford
Occupation: Laborer
Birthplace: W.Va.
Father: Peter Standiford
Mother: Eliza Wellman
Cause of death: Myocarditis Senile
Burial St. Helena Calif 12-29-1920

Affidavit of Widow

State of California
County of Napa,

     On this 5th day of February, 1921, before me a Notary Public in and for the County and state aforesaid personally appeared SUSAN AMANDA STANDIFORD, aged 74 years, a resident of Napa, County of Napa, State of California, who being duly sworn according to law makes the following declaration for the purpose of having her name placed on the pension roll under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved April 8,1908 and all amendments thereto:

     That she is the widow of Benjamin F. Standiford who enlisted under the name of Benjamin Stanaford on the 10th day August, 1862 and mustered in on the 9th day of September, 1862, as a Private in Company "C", 12th West Virginia Volunteers, and having served 90 days or more during the War of the Rebellion in the service of the United States was honorably discharged at Richmond, Virginia, on the 16th day of June, 1865, and died at Napa, California, on the 27th day of December, 1920.

     That she was married to said husband under her name of Susan Amanda Eckels at Moundsville Marshall County West Virginia, on the 12th day of November, 1868, by Rev. James Davis, a Presbyterian Minister; that there was no legal barrier to said marriage.

That neither she nor her said husband had been previously married.

That neither she nor her said husband had been or ever was married otherwise than as stated above; that she was not divorced from him and that she has not married since his death.

     That she is not receiving a pension and has not heretofore applied.

     That her said husband was a pensioner at the time of his death holding Pension Certificate Number 1,005,537.

     That her Post Office address is RFD, F Street, Napa, Napa County, California.

(X) Mark of Susan Amanda Standiford.

Witnesses:
(Mrs. L. F. Sunkler)
Anne R. Shook
WM Coffield

     Also personally appeared ANNIE R. SHOOK residing at Napa, California and W. M. COFFIELD residing at Napa, California, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit and who being by me duly sworn say they were present and saw Susan Amanda Standiford sign her name to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with her of 60 years and 56 years respectfully that she is the identical person that she represents herself to be and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.

ANNIR R> SHOOK
W.R. COFFIELD

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 5th day of February, 1921, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, etc., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.

PERCY E. KING
Notary Public in and for the County of Napa, State of California

Drop Report - Pensioner

Finance Division
Feb 18 1927
The name of the above-described pensioner who was last paid at the rate of $30 per month to Jan 4 1927, has this day been dropped from the roll because of death Jan 21 1927.

O. J. Randall, Chief, Finance Division