Ford, William H.

FORD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 14:48:01

WILLIAM H. FORD
born Mar 10, 1838, W. VA.
William H. Ford, one of the honored pioneers of Warren county, resides on the old homestead of P. P. Henderson, that honored and representative citizen whom most men of this county know, and has witnessed the wonderful transformation which has taken place in this section of Belmont township. Mr. Ford was born in a log house in Preston county, not far from Claysville, West Virginia. His father, Daniel Ford, was a farmer by occupation and died when William was in his eleventh year. About three years after his death, his widow, nee Nancy McGee, married Jacob Price, a native of Virginia. They had two children, Jacob who still resides in that State, and Laura, wife of a Mr. Buckaloo. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Ford had eight children, six now living, namely: William H., the subject of this sketch, Mary E., widow of James Bartlett, and a resident of Virginia; Martha Jane, wife of Granville Farrence, of West Virginia; Sylvester, of Denver, Colorado; Adolphus, also of West Virginia; and Joanna, wife of John Morris, a coal miner of Virginia. James Allen lost his life in defense of his country's flag early in the struggle, when eighteen years of age. He was a member of the commissary department and was killed in a skirmish with rebels on the Potomac river, and as he was last seen on the banks of that river, presumably he found a watery grave. Adeline died at about the age of fifty-five years, the wife of Joseph Smith, of Vest Virgina. William H. Ford, the subject of this sketch, was born March 10, 1838, was early inured to farm life, and received such an education as a few months of a subscription school can give. When not yet fourteen years of age, he bade farewell to his home and began to earn his own living, securing employment with a farmer of his neighborhood for one year, receiving as compensation $7 per month. He next worked for an uncle, Wesley McGee, making his home there until he came to Iowa in 1858. Mr. Ford made the journey from Keokuk to Indianola, Iowa, on foot, having spent one week with an aunt in Oskaloosa, and then resumed the journey to Indianola, where he secured work with David Helm, a cattle buyer and farmer. Soon after arriving here he took a drove of hogs to Iowa City, a distance of 100 miles, having spent one month in making the return journey. Mr. Ford spent about five years in Indianola, and then purchased eighty acres of prairie land in Belmont township. He now owns a good farm of 160 acres. March 13, 1862, our subject was united in marriage with Hannah Maxwell, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Alfred Maxwell. She was a cousin of Hon. Judge Henderson. To this union were born five children, viz: Alfred, residing on section 9, Belmont township; James E., of Union township; Frank, at home; Laura, deceased at the age of four years, and one deceased in infancy. The wife and mother did not long survive the birth of her baby girl, having been called to the spirit world in 1845, and her mortal remains now rest peacefully beside those of her children. Mr. Ford was afterward united in marriage with Mrs Martha Chase, a widow and a native of Ohio. In his political relations Mr. Ford affiliates with the Republican party, his first presidential vote having been cast for Stephen A Douglas. He has never sought political preferment, preferring to give his entire attention to agricultural pursuits and stock raising. The family are members of the Friends Church in Belmont township. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.246