Elisha Standiford

Who was Elisha Standiford?

Elisha David Standiford was a United States Representative from Kentucky. He was born near Louisville, Kentucky. He attended the common schools and St. Mary’s College, near Lebanon, Kentucky. He graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine and commenced practice in Louisville, Kentucky. Later, he abandoned the practice of medicine and engaged in agricultural pursuits and other enterprises.

Standiford was a member of the Kentucky Senate in 1868 and 1871. He was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-third Congress but declined a renomination in 1874 to the Forty-fourth Congress. After leaving Congress, he was president of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company from 1875-1879. In addition, he engaged in banking and agricultural pursuits. He died in Louisville, Kentucky in 1887 and was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery.

Louisville's largest airport was originally named Standiford Field before being changed to Louisville International Airport in 1995. The airport today still retains the airport code of SDF.