William Stopford

William Stopford (February 22, 1848 – September 11, 1928) was an English-born American military officer and politician who served as Adjutant General of Massachusetts and Mayor of Beverly, Massachusetts. Early life Stopford was born on February 22, 1848, in Manchester, England. His parents emigrated to the United States when he was two years old and settled in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood. At the age of 20, Stopford moved to Beverly to attend private school. Military career At the age of fifteen, Stopford attempted to enlist in a Hundred Days regiment, but was rejected due to his youth and small size. In 1865 he joined the Co D. Roxbury house guards. In 1875 he joined the 2nd corps of cadets of Salem as a private. He served in this command until 1885. After one year out of the militia he reenlisted. In 1888 he was discharged from the Salem cadets and was promoted to second lieutenant in Co E., the Beverly company of the 8th regiment. By the time the Spanish–American War broke out, Stopford was the senior major of the regiment and was mustered into the United States Army and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. The 8th regiment was not given a combat detail and after the war, Stopford returned to his old position as major of the 8th regiment. In 1905, Stopford was appointed Adjutant General of Massachusetts by Governor William Lewis Douglas. According to The Boston Daily Globe, his appointment was said to be due to the influence of his friend John J. Flaherty, a captain in the 8th regiment and chairman of the executive committee of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. Stopford retired from the militia on January 4, 1906, as a major general.