Alfred Gifford, M. D., Lawrence, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., June 10, 1854, a son of Alfred and Mary Elizabeth (Watson) Gifford. His father was of German descent and a native of Philadelphia, and an architect by profession. The mother of Dr. Gifford was born in England and came to the United States when about eighteen years of age. When their son was about fourteen years of age the parents came west and located in Illinois, where his literary education was completed in the common schools. In 1871 he went to St. Louis, where he took a commercial course in a business college and made some study of architecture, which profession he followed for three years, but not liking it as a life work he gave it up and entered the St. Louis Medical College, which is now known as the medical department of the Washington University at St. Louis. From this institution he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1878. He began the practice of medicine at Hillsboro, Montgomery county, Illinois. Two years later, or in 1880, he came to Kansas, and for six years thereafter was engaged in a successful practice of his profession in Iola, from which city he came to Lawrence, in 1886. As a physician and surgeon Dr. Gifford is devoted to his work and to the well-being of those whom he treats, and he is conscientious in all that he does in a professional way. He is a member of the Douglas County and Kansas State Medical societies and of the American Medical Association.

In 1882 Dr. Gifford was united in marriage with Miss Grace Lee Brewer of Hamilton, Ohio. The Doctor and wife have but one child, namely, Ednah Grace, the wife of J. C. Searles of Kansas City, Mo.