Early life

Axford lived in his youth in Oakland County. He attended the University of Michigan

University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...

 for medical education. In 1858, he moved from Detroit to Flint

Flint, Michigan

Flint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the 2010 population to be placed at 102,434, making Flint the seventh largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the...

. He build Axford House as a joint residence and hospital.

Political life

He was elected as the eleventh mayor

Mayor

In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....

of the Village of Flint in 1868 serving a single 1-year term.

Axford died in 1873.