WARFIELD STALEY - Warfield Staley was a well known and well-to-do business man of Springfield from 1861 up to the time of his death, which occurred September 15, 1898. He was engaged in real estate operations here and followed that pursuit until he became quite wealthy. A native of Hagerstown, Maryland, his birth occurred near the Virginia state line May 7, 1815. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Staley, were also natives of Maryland and they remained during their entire lives. The father was a plumber by trade and followed his business in Hagerstown.

Their son, Warfield Staley, acquired a common school education and afterward learned the trade of a tanner and currier, following a business for several years. As he prospered in his undertakings and acquired some capital he began buying lots in Hagerstown and improving them, thus embarking in real estate operations. He did much for the development of his native city up to the time that he left that section of the country and was the owner of several fine brick residences. In the early part of the year 1861 he removed to the west, going first to Colorado but after a short time he returned to his native state, where he continued until the fall of that year, when he came with his family to the city of Springfield. Here he began operating in realty, buying land on which he erected many residences, both renting and selling his property. Throughout the war his annual rentals amounted to thirty-six hundred dollars. He made very judicious investments and determined with great accuracy the value of property and it s possibilities for advance in price. He continued to buy and sell for many years, thus adding annually to his income, but in recent years he sold much of his property and practically lived retired up to the time of his death.

Mr. Staley was first married in Hagerstown, Maryland, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Ann Horn, who was born in that state and died in Springfield. They became the parents of six children: Louise, now the deceased wife of William Troxell; William H., who married Emily Creed and resides in Athens, Illinois; Margaret S., who is the wife of George W. Bollinger and resides in Shelbyville, Illinois; Charles Emery, who married Fannie Dunton and makes his home in Benton county, Arkansas; John Wesley, who died in childhood; and Dabney, who died at the age of seventeen months. In 1882 Mr. Staley was again married, his second union being with Abigail Ticknor, who was born in New York, June 29, 1833, a daughter of Oran and Abigail (Orton) Ticknor, the former a native of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and the latter of New Haven, Connecticut. Her father was a carriage builder and cabinet maker. He removed from New England to New Lebanon, New York, and there he engaged in merchandising until 1847, when be took up his abode upon a farm in Albany making it his home until 1860, when on account of ill health he removed to the west, settling in Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois. There he lived until his death, which occurred at the age of eigbty-three years. His wife also died there when eighty-two years of age.

Mr. Staley passed away September 15, 1898, an thus was terminated an honorable, useful and active career. He never sought or desired office as a reward for party fealty but gave a stanch and unfaltering support to the Republican party and its principles. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while residing in Maryland, but never united with the lodge in Springfield. He held membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church in Springfield to which his widow still belongs. In his business affairs he was very successful and became well known in Springfield, where he was honored and respected by all, not alone because of the prosperity which he won, but also because of the honorable methods which he ever followed in his business transactions. His widow is now living at No. 1148 North Fifth street, and owns that property.