Sanford was the son of Joseph DeGraw and Jane Gregg. The family moved from Ontario, Canada to Iowa in 1849.

On Dec. 15, 1879 in Onaga, Pottawatomie County, KS, Sanford married Frederica L. "Reaka" Schroder. They had seven children, the first six born in Kansas and the seventh in Colorado.

(1) Mabel (Sept. 1880-July 17, 1945) married Clarence Beach (1881-1947) on Apr. 27, 1904 in Soldier, KS

(2) Iva (Dec. 1881-before 1945) married Albert F. Hines on Oct. 21, 1903 in Soldier, KS

(3) Ray (Oct. 14, 1883-1941) married Nettie Reed (div.). He is buried in Soldier, KS

(4) Gertie May (Sept. 19, 1883-Jan. 2, 1884); buried in Onaga Cemetery, KS

(5) Clyde Orion (Apr. 6, 1886-Aug. 29, 1956) married Hattie M. Young/Hilda unknown/Edna M. Anderson. He died in OR.

(6) Reuben William (Oct. 7, 1887-Sept. 1964) married Margaret unknown

(7) Ada Jean (Oct. 1889-Dec. 2, 1945) married James Bernard Hyland (1886-1962) June 3, 1906 in Oregon and both buried there in Mount Calvary in Portland.

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OBITUARY - Published in the The Onaga (Kansas) "Democrat," 2 Jan., 1890:

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"Died at Saguache, Colo. on Saturday afternoon December 21, 1889, of stricture of the intestines, Sanford A. DeGraw, aged 30 years, 10 months and 15 days.

Sanford A. DeGraw was born in Clayton county, Iowa, Feb. 6, 1859 and came to Saguache county, Colorado in November 1888 accompanied by his wife and family and his brother, Warren O. and wife. For many months these families have resided upon their ranches southwest of Saguache and not far removed from the old Rock Cliff dairy. At the time of being taken sick, one week ago last Friday night, the deceased and family were living in the Houghland ranch. The sickness at first appeared to be an attack of cramps or colic, and no thoughts of a fatal result entered the minds of the family. There seemed to be no relief obtained through simple remedies and the patient was accordingly brought to Saguache for treatment, and Dr. May was summoned to the bedside of the sick man. Despite the treatment the attack could not be overcome or was not, and on Saturday afternoon at five o'clock in the intense agony, Mr. DeGraw died. During the sickness, Dr. Beard was called in and we understand administered one dose of medicine, which seemed to afford a little relief. Dr. Jackson of Salida was summoned on Friday, but on his arrival Saturday afternoon, pronounced the case a hopeless one - that the sick man could not stand a surgical operation at the time.

Sanford A. DeGraw was married December 15, 1879 to Miss Frederica L. Schroeder and to this union seven children have been born to wit: Mabel, Ivy, Ray, Gertie, Clyde, Reuben and Ada. Of those, six are living, Gertie having died in infancy. A widow and six children are thus suddenly bereft of a loving husband and a tender and indulgent father.

The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church on Sabbath afternoon at three o'clock, Rev. John McLean
officiating. The remains were taken to Hillside Cemetery, followed by a large number of friends and laid to rest to await the final resurrection."
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(Footnote - death was presumably caused by appendicitis)

All of the biographical information has been provided by George DeKay, Find-A-Grave contributor #47945128.