Bert L. Stafford

Bert Linus Stafford (December 14, 1877 – July 29, 1941) was an American attorney and politician from Vermont. A Republican, he was most notable for his service in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1906 to 1908, as State's Attorney of Rutland County from 1910 to 1915, and as mayor of Rutland from 1915 to 1917. He was the father of Vermont governor and U.S. Senator Robert Stafford.

Early life Bert L. Stafford was born in Tinmouth, Vermont on December 14, 1877, the son of Daniel Bartlett and Mary M. (Valentine) Stafford. He attended the schools of Tinmouth, Wallingford High School, and the Rutland Institute. He then began attendance at Middlebury College, from which he graduated in 1901 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. and a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity.

Start of career After his graduation, Stafford joined the teaching service organized by the United States Office of Education to provide instruction to students in the Philippines following the Philippine–American War. In May, 1932 Smith had learned that the bank's bookkeeper, John J. Cocklin, had stolen $251,000 (about $5.2 million in 2022). To prevent this, his opponents leaked word of his theft to the press. and the bank's treasurer received a sentence of six months imprisonment, which was suspended, and a $400 fine. Smith was acquitted at his trial, while charges against Stafford and the other parties were dismissed.

Death and burial Stafford began to experience declining health in the 1930s, and suffered three heart attacks.

Family In November 1911, Stafford married Mabel Rose Stratton of Linesville, Pennsylvania (1883-1976). Thomas Stafford was businessman who served as executive vice president of the Vermont Marble Company and was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives. Shirley Ruth Stafford was a Rutland-area real estate broker.