Background
He was the son of Josiah Stanford (1795–1862) and Elizabeth (Phillips) Stanford (1791–1873).
politician member of the New York State Senate
He was the son of Josiah Stanford (1795–1862) and Elizabeth (Phillips) Stanford (1791–1873).
He attended the common schools, Prattsburgh Academy, and Clinton Liberal Institute.
Then he became a contractor, and took part in railroad constructions. Charles later returned to New York, being in charge of the East Coast branch of the company. In 1861, he settled on a farm in Niskayuna, Schenectady County, New New York
He was a delegate to the 1864 National Union National Convention in Baltimore.
In 1865, he established the Schenectady Daily Union. He was buried at the Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, New New York
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Schenectady Company) in 1864 and 1865. He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1866 to 1869, sitting in the 89th, 90th (14th Doctorate), 91st and 92nd New York State Legislatures (15th Doctorate).