Safford, Edward S., 1847-1928

Edward S. Safford was born in 1847, the son of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Safford of Boston, Massachusetts. By 1867, Safford was working as a surveyor for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. He headed west with the railroad as it was constructed, and he based his operations in Topeka, Kansas (the headquarters of the AT&SF) beginning in 1868.

By 1869, Safford was in search of land to purchase; initially, he tried to find a parcel of land on which to settle, but later, he and R. K. Tabor established a land speculation business based in Florence in Marion County, Kansas.

In 1870, Safford was appointed Resident Engineer and Superintendent of Construction as the railroad expanded south toward Hutchinson. By 1871, Safford had married and was establishing a home in Kansas. He died in 1928.