Frank Sanford was born in Jackson County, Michigan September 25, 1860. He was educated and taught school in his home state for six years before coming to North Dakota, in the spring of 1882 at the age of 22. He homesteaded northeast of Rogers but farmed other land on shares until 1886, when he married Helen Sophia Kingsley of Sutton. Helen was born on July 14, 1858, at Sherburn, NY, where she was educated and taught school before coming to Sanborn in 1882. Her family remained in Sanborn for two years and then homesteaded in Griggs County. Here Helen also homesteaded some land herself.

Their marriage, which took place October 13, 1886, meant that Frank would not return to Michigan each winter to teach school as he had done for the past four years. Finding that wheat farming was not a very profitable matter, a fine herd of Aberdeen-Angus cattle was purchased, and Duroc Jersey hogs were added to the farm and the Fairview Stock Farm came into existence. Over the years Mr. Sanford served on many boards and commissions. He was a member of the Barnes Co. Board of Commissioners from 1891 to 1894. From 1894 to 1900 he held the office of Register of Deeds in Barnes County and in 1908 was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the North Dakota Agriculture College. Mr. Sanford traveled as a speaker at the Farm Institutes for the Agricultural College, and in 1914

was made supervisor of the Farm Institute branch of the College. In 1917 and 1918 he worked for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Meanwhile, his cattle and hogs won many prizes at County and State Fairs. His picture now hangs in the North Dakota Hall of Fame at the North Dakota State University. In 1918 Frank and Helen purchased a fruit farm in Lakeland, Florida where they spent their winters. In 1894 the Sanfords built a house in Valley City, known for many years as the Sanford House which is still standing. Mr. Sanford passed away on March 1 , 1931 followed by Helen on June 28, 1937.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 213