Edward Conant FORD

FORD, WESTLAKE, WETZEL, HALBERSTADT, BURNS, MILLER, TREVINO, KYSH, YARBOROUGH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/11/2015 at 12:58:34

22 June 1886 --- 11 February 1978

Edward Conant Ford was born 22 June 1886 in Eagle Grove Iowa to Henry Merideth Ford and Mary Elizabeth Westlake. He was the sixth of eight children. Edward quit school in the sixth grade to work on the farm for his Dad. He was working for the railroad when he was 18 years old. He came to California with his married sister, Cora, when he was 19 years old. He worked at odd jobs in California until he learned the Mason trade from his cousin, Nettie's (Annetta) husband Joe Wetzel. Edward learned the brick and rock work and worked on the old Los Angeles Post Office. He had to lay the marble arches over the doorways, and stones had to be cut perfect in a wedge shape. Edward served in the Army in the first World Ward. He was a Wagoner on an Ammunition truck and was in the front lines three times in France. He was in the Meuse-Argonnne Section. He received an Honorable discharge. Upon his return to California he went to work again as a brick and stone mason. He did Artistic Fish ponds, barbecues, walls and foundations. He made a visit to his sister Etta in North Dakota where he met the school teacher who was boarding at Etta's.

He married her, Flossie Christina Halberstadt on 4 July 1920 in Los Angeles, California. They had three children; Luetta May, Edward Wesley and Donald Harold. Flossie died 16 April 1930 when Don was only 4 years old. He raised the children alone and was proud that he was able to raise them and not put them in foster homes. In 1952, he moved to Hanford Hill between Murphys and Hathaway Pines to get away from the smog of Los Angeles and find a quiet place to retire. Edward lived in a good era. He witnessed the birth of aviation and the automobile, television and even radio was new. He saw many things happen in his life. He was the last of the family, having outlived his brothers and sisters. He was a good man having not a lazy bone in his body. He was a hard worker and believed everyone should do the same. He also was generous with his time. Helping someone in need. A stern disciplinarian, raising his children but he had a sense of humor. He loved to talk politics and watch wrestling matches.

He leaves three children Luetta May Burns of Winston, Oregon, Edward Wesley Ford of Woodland Hills and Donald Harold Ford of Manteca, California. He also leaves 5 grand children. Barbara Miller of Winston, Oregon, Sandra Trevino of Los Angeles, Virginia Kysh of Orem, Utah, Kathleen Yarborough of Concord and Benjamin Harold Ford of Manteca. There are 5 Great grand children. Edward Conant Ford died 11 Feb 1978 at 2:20 am in the Veterans Home of California in Yountville. He will always be remembered. Let him rest in Peace.

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