[includes a portrait drawing]
"MAJOR GIFFORD DEAD.
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He Died While Asleep This Morning at His Home on Pineapple Street.
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"Major Ira. R. Gifford, a prominent citizen of Brooklyn and a well known member of the Grand Army of the Republic, died this morning at his home, 53 Pineapple street. Death was due to heart disease. Major Gifford had been in precarious health for about two weeks, but had not given up his business. Yesterday afternoon he went for a long drive and came home apparently refreshed. About 5 o'clock this morning he arose and walked in the window, locked out for a moment, and then, returning to his bed, fell asleep. In five minutes he had expired.
Funeral services will be held at his late home Saturday evening ... the body will be taken to Rochester, N.Y., for interment, where a monument has been erected.
Major Gifford was born March 12, 1816, in the Town of Bethany, Genesee County, N.Y. His father, Isaac Gifford, was a native of New Hampshire and a veteran of the war of 1812... Major Gifford received a common school education at Bethany and served an apprenticeship for four years at the saddle and harness making business. He was a town clerm of Bethany for four years and in 1845 was appointed postmaster by President Taylor. In 1842 he married Mina C. Hovey, daughter of Eliphalet and Sally Hovey of Wyoming, N.Y.
He was engaged in the hotel business from 1840 until 1860, and at the beginning of the war he was living at Logansport, Ind. in 1861 he organized a company of volunteers for three year's service, which was turned over to the command of the First Regiment of Western cavalry organized by Colonel A.G. Brackett of Chicago, Ill. ..
Mr. Gifford was made captain ...(then) promotion the rank of major. He was in active service in Missouri, Arkansas, Tennesee and Mississippi until the three year's term of enlistment expired, when he was mustered out at Springfield, Ill. in October, 1864. In 1867 he came to Brooklyn and engaged in the livery business and opened stables at 49 and 51 Liberty street, where he has been ever since.
He was a member of the U.S. Grand Lodge No. 327, G.A.R. and also of Central Lodge No. 3561, F. and A.M., since 1873. In politician he was a stanch Republican having cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison in 1860."