E. D. Stratford, one of the pioneer lawyers, of Butler county, was born in Vevay, Switzerland county, Indiana, October 15, 1852. He is a son of John and Sarah (Lewis) Stratford who were natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, respectively. They were the parents of three children: J. L. Stratford, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, now living at Creswell, Ore.; J. C., a photographer, also a resident of Creswell, Ore., and E. D., the subject of this sketch. E. D. Stratford attended the public schools in Indiana, and later took a course at Howard College, Kokomo, Ind., and after coming to Kansas he attended for a time the State Normal School at Emporia, Kans. He came to Butler county in 1873, and after teaching school a number of terms, read law with Judge A. L. L. Hamilton at El Dorado, and was admitted to the bar in 1878.

Since coming to Butler county, Judge Stratford has been actively identified with the Republican party. Shortly after being admitted to the bar, he was elected probate judge, and at the expiration of his first term, was reelected and served a second term. In 1887, he was elected to the legislature from the northern district of Butler county, and represented his district in the session which followed.

Mr. Stratford has always taken an active interest in educational matters, having served three years as one of the regents of the Kansas State Agricultural College, at Manhattan, and seven years as a member of the El Dorado board of education. Mr. Stratford was appointed a special agent of the United States General Land Office, in 1899, and served in that capacity four years, during which time he performed service, in Oregon, California, Oklahoma, Missouri and Alaska. He spent more than a year in Alaska, with headquarters at Sitka, during which time he became thoroughly acquainted with the geography and resources of that far off country.

In 1903, Judge Stratford returned to El Dorado and resumed the practice of law, associating himself with Vol. P. Mooney. This partnership continued for twelve years, or until Mr. Mooney was appointed probate judge by Governor Capper in September, 1915, to serve out the unexpired term of that office made vacant by the death of Judge McCluggage. Judge Stratford is now serving his second term as a member of the El Dorado city council.

Mr. Stratford was married, February 27, 1883, to Miss Jennie Long, who was born in Livingston county, Illinois, January 1, 1875. She was the daughter of Robert and Mary Long. Her father died when she was a child, and the mother brought the family to Butler county in 1876, and settled in El Dorado, where she became postmaster, holding that office for a number of years. To Mr. and Mrs. Stratford have been born six children, as follows: Charles W., married Elsie Howe, who was born, educated and resided in El Dorado until her marriage; "Charley" has been for eight years connected with oil supply houses in Drumright and other points in Oklahoma. Oscar E., married Jessie Perry, well known in Kansas as a newspaper writer of unusual ability, who prior to her marriage was for some time editor of the El Dorado "Republican," and later a writer on the staff of the Wichita "Eagle;" Gussie, the only daughter, is a teacher in the El Dorado public schools; John R., a farmer in eastern Colorado; Ray A., a student at the State Agricultural College at Manhattan, and Clark, a student in the El Dorado High School. All the children have graduated from the El Dorado High School, except Clark, who is yet a student.

Judge Stratford has always been a progressive and public spirited citizen. No man in El Dorado has given more of his time and energy, for the material, and educational advancement than Mr. Stratford.

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