At the age of fifteen, Stopford attempted to enlist in a Hundred Days regiment, but was rejected due to his youth and small size. In 1865 he joined the Co D. Roxbury house guards. In 1875 he joined the 2ndcorps of cadets of Salem as a private. He served in this command until 1885. After one year out of the militia he reenlisted. In 1888 he was discharged from the Salem cadets and was promoted to second lieutenant in Co E., the Beverly company of the 8th regiment. By the time the Spanish–American War broke out, Stopford was the senior major of the regiment and was mustered into the United States Army and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. The 8th regiment was not given a combat detail and after the war, Stopford returned to his old position as major of the 8th regiment. In 1905, Stopford was appointed Adjutant General of Massachusetts by Governor William Lewis Douglas. According to The Boston Daily Globe, his appointment was said to be due to the influence of his friend John J. Flaherty, a captain in the 8th regiment and chairman of the executive committee of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. Stopford retired from the militia on January 4, 1906 as a Major General.
Business career
After moving to Beverly, Stopford worked in the wholesale and retail fishing business. He had stores in Salem, Beverly, and Peabody and a plant in Port Clyde, Maine.
Political career
Stopford was a member of the Democratic Party. In 1890, Stopford was a candidate for the Massachusetts Senate in the 2nd Essex district. He gained the support of many Republicans and was able to win the election. The Republicans united behind William Edwin Meade the following year and Stopford was defeated 3,701 votes to 3,193. He was a member of Beverly's last board of selectmen before Beverly adopted a city government in 1895. Stopford ran for the 19th Essex Massachusetts House of Representatives seat in 1896. He finished fourth in a district in which the top two vote getters were elected. In 1924, Stopford was elected Mayor of Beverly. He was reelected in 1926, but he resigned on February 6, 1928 at the recommendation of his physician. During his tenure as Mayor, the city's bond indebtedness decreased and the McKay School was built. Stoppford died on September 11, 1928 at his home in Beverly.
