OLD CAMBRIDGE
PATROLMAN SHACKFORD GONE.
Patrolman Leonard Shackford, who for over thirty years had been connected
with station one, died at his home, 20 Shepard street, on Thursday morning at an
early hour.
His death was not entirely unexpected by those who knew him, as the veteran
officer has not been well for about three years, although it was but a few
months ago that he was obliged to give up his accustomed duties. An acute
affection of the stomach was the cause of his demise.
Patrolmen Shackford was born Nov 12, 1830, in the town of Pembroke, N. H. After attending the schools of the town and spending several years on his father's farm, he came to Boston and took up different employments. He had always resided in Cambridge. Forty-one and one-half years ago he married Lydia Gove, of this city, who survives him. A daughter also survives. Ever since his marriage, the patrolman had lived in the same house on Shepard street. At the time the Cambridge horse railroad first opened, he became a car conductor and held this position for thirteen years. In March 1867, he became a member of the police force, and from that time to his last day continued as such. When the new city hall was finished he was detailed from his regular Old Cambridge route to duty at the building from time to time, and for the last five years he had been regularly the city hall officer. Among those who knew him in private life and among the police and others who knew him officially, Patrolman Shackford was highly esteemed.
On March 12, this year, his failing strength caused him to relinquish his work and spend a time in a hoped for recovery. After a long battle with disease, his rugged constitution finally bought him through so that he could be out again, and he and his family went to Shirly Hill, near Manchester, N. H., to stay till Sept. 1. In three weeks, however, it was evident that he was growing worse, and the return trip home was made on Aug. 8. Since that day the officer's decline was steady, and his life was despaired of by his attending
physician.
The funeral will take place today at 1:30 pm, from his late residence. Rev. Daniel Evans, of the North Avenue Congregational church, officiating. The internment will be made at Cambridge cemeterey. [sic, jsp]
REFERENCES
Degou David J, Cambridge Police Department (Arcadia Publishing, 1 April 2009), page 76; digital image, Google eBooks (http://books.google.com: accessed 28 July 2013
"OLD CAMBRIDGE, Patrolman Shackford Gone," Cambridge (Cambridge, Massachusetts) Chronicle, 2 September 1899; digital images, Cambridge Public Library (http://cambridge.dlconsulting.com : accessed 27 July 2013).
Updated 12/9/2015 to add Blog Number and changed the word I to we.
Updated 4/26/22 to add link to new Leonard Shackford biography.