Biographical History of Pottawattmie Co., IA

REDERICK FORD, a native of Cambridgeshire, England, was born August 23, 1836, the son of James and Elizabeth (Chandler) Ford, both natives of England, who came to America in 1855, landing in New York city December 31, 1855. They immediately started for the West, by rail, via Cleveland and Chicago to St. Louis, where Mr. Ford, Sr., died, January 17,1856, at the age of forty-five years. The care of the family then fell upon the eldest child, Frederick, the subject of this sketch. They remained in St. Louis until May, when they came north to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where Frederick Ford rented a small farm on the Little Mosquito, in what is now Garner Township. Here he left the family while he went to Omaha, Nebraska, and engaged to work by the month in a saw-mill. The family consisted of the mother and four children, only two of whom survive. The mother and daughter died in Utah, where they removed in 1860, the former in 1875, and the latter, who was the wife of Peter Lowe, the year previous. Thomas, the second child, died about 1874, in Utah. The two remaining children are Frederick, our subject, and Joseph, who resides in Boomer Township on a farm.

Frederick worked in Omaha about six months, when he returned to this side of the river and rented a farm for six years. He then purchased a tract of eighty acres in Missouri, in Crescent Township, where he remained one year, but on account of sickness he disposed of this farm and rented for, two years. He then purchased 120 acres on sections 28 and 27, Hazel Dell Township. This was a wild tract of land, with no improvements, and only two families within neighboring distance; but he went to work to make a home, and in 1865 erected a small frame house, 14 x 18 feet, which did duty for a home until he could erect a larger one. In a couple of years he made an addition to his house, and in 1878 erected his present home, a fine frame building 14 x 24 and 16 x 20, with a good brick collar. His home is surrounded with shade and ornamental trees, and he also has two acres in orchard. He has good barns for stock and grain, and one of the best stock-yards, being well shedded, in this part of the county. Mr. Ford has added to his first purchase of land, and now possesses 350 acres, on sections 21, 22, 27 and 28, Hazel Dell Township, all of which be has improved through his own efforts. He has undergone the hardships of pioneer life, and has seen the growth and development of Pottawattamie County from a wild and uncultivated state to one of the best in the United States. He has not only stood by and witnessed it, but has put his shoulder to the wheel and assisted largely by his honesty and integrity in its development. He is a self made man, and was left with a family to care for when he was only nineteen years of age, but he had the pluck and energy to carry him through.

Mr. Ford was married October 23, 1861, to Rebecca B. Horn, who was born in England, and came to this country with her parents. She was killed August 10, 1878, by a team running away. They had a family of seven children, viz.: Hester E., deceased; Fannie E., the wife of Frost Nusum, of Boomer Township; John J.; Joseph W., deceased; Amy E., deceased; Bertha H. and George T., at home. Mr. Ford was married the second time in 1879, to Hannah M. Graham, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hayes. She was born in England, and came to this country when small with her parents.

Mr. Ford has always supported the Republican party, and has represented his township as School Director, etc. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance.

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This page last updated: Friday, 01-Jan-1999 09:01:26 MST.