WILLIAM F. FORD

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 467-468:

Judge William F. Ford

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, and Proprietor of Pleasant View Farm, Post-office, Harwood)

   Judge Ford, a well respected citizen of this township, and now closely approaching man’s allotted age of three score years and ten, was born in Shelby county, Ky., September 13, 1816.  He was the son of William W. Ford, of South Carolina nativity, who, when 12 years of age, accompanied his father of Shelby county, Ky., where he remained until his marriage in 1806 to Miss Elizabeth Metcalf.  Mr. Ford was a minister of the Baptist denomination, and for a period exceeding thirty years he served as pastor of the Christiansburg Church; also at various times filling appointments throughout the surrounding country.  To himself and wife the following worthy family of children were given; James, who died in early youth; Eliza, James W., Zerilda, William F., Emmarine, Louisa, John M., Nineon M., Elizabeth and Cassandra.  William F., the subject of this sketch, received his education in his native country, at Christiansburg, where he graduated when twenty years of age.  On December 24, 1835, he was married to Miss Malinda Powell, the daughter of John and Dorcas Powell, and after this event took up once more the occupation which he had previously followed—that of farming, and in which he met with good success.  Upon leaving the Blue Grass State Mr. Ford moved to Andrew county, Mo., and during his residence there his ability and well known qualifications for the position led to his election as judge of the county court, his official duties extending over two terms, and it goes without saying that he occupied the office in a manner reflecting only credit upon himself.  Leaving Andrew county Judge Ford moved to Clay county in 1864, and in October, 1868, he came to Vernon county, settling and improving the farm known as the Jackson farm, in section 27, township 36, range 29, where he remained two years.  Then he bought the place which he now occupies and began its improvement, and its surroundings at this time plainly show the handiwork of an experienced agriculturist and lover of home comforts.  The judge has named his homestead “Pleasant View Farm,” for it is so situated as to command an excellent view of the surrounding country in every direction.  He and his wife have the following children: Cassandra P., William F., John H., James T., Edmond P., Henry C., Minerva A., Elizabeth, Shelby, George M., Emaline B., Lucy A., Sarah C., Yancy B. and Malinda C.  Politically Judge F. is a Democrat of the old Jackson school.  For over fifty years he has been a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and he also belongs to Osage Lodge No. 303, A. F. and A. M., at Nevada.

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