[2] He was admitted to the bar, and began to practice in St. Johnsbury, Vermont in partnership with Henry Clay Ide.

[3] Among the prospective attorneys who studied law in their office was William H. Taylor, who later served as an associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.

[2] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 13, 1904, and received his commission the same day.

[10] Stafford was active in Washington civic life, and one of the few white members of the local chapter of the NAACP.

[12] In 1901, Stafford received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Dartmouth College.

[14] Stafford was also a poet, and his published works include: North Flowers (1902); Dorian Days (1909); and The Land We Love (1916).