Westel Theron Ford (1913)
BOONE, BROWN, DAVIS, FORD, GIBSON, NORTHROP, PALMER, RINGLAND
Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 12/8/2014 at 15:34:10
The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, April 23, 1913
Page 1, Column 2W. T. FORD DIES IN TEXAS HOME
Founder of "Fordland", and Former Prominent Citizen Dies at Ripe Old Age in Texas
Westel Theron Ford was born in South Otselic, Chenango county, New York June 1, 1829, and died April 1, 1913, aged 83 years and 10 months.
He was married to Charlotte Brown November 19, 1855 and came to Iowa in 1857, locating in Des Moines where he resided a few years and was engaged in the livery business. Later he moved to what was known as "Badger Grove" where the town of Cummings is now located. From there he moved to a farm on North river north of Winterset where his wife died September 3, 1867.
In 1869 he moved to Penn township, Madison county locating on a farm east of Penn Center. In November 1871 he married Julia Boone, but death soon took her away from him, and on November 24, 1875 he married Martha Davis, who survives him. In 1891 he moved with his family to Des Moines where he resided eight years, and in 1899 moved to Texas where he lived until his death.
For several years his mind has been weak and the last year and a half he was so feeble as to become a great charge. He was able to be up most of the time until two days before he died when he suddenly grew worse. Paralysis started in his feet and gradually kept working its way up towards his body until he finally went to sleep and slept himself away.
He leaves to mourn his loss, a wife, a brother, D. S. Ford of Cortland, N, Y., and seven children; Charles K. Ford, Sioux City; Mrs. F. M. Northrop, Eugene, Oregon; Mrs. H. S. Ringland, Wayne, Nebraska; Mrs. R. M. Gibson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mrs. M. F. Palmer, Dexter, Iowa; Ray and Milo W. Ford of Dayton, Texas. Mrs. Palmer left here to be with her father but he died before she arrived.
Mr. Ford was a prominent man in Penn township in an early day. In 1868-9 he built the stone house on the place known as "Fordland" east of Penn Center, a magnificent home with splendid barns and outbuildings surrounding it. He owned a large well cultivated farm was a good financier. He was public spirited, benevolent and an honor to the township. Since moving to Dayton, Texas he has been engaged with his two sons in raising rice.
"Fordland" was one of the hospitable homes of the County, and for years was never without its guests.
Gravesite
Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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