Benton Co., AR - Biographies - John H. Ford

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John H. Ford is one of the oldest native residents and farmers of 
Benton County, Ark., and was born in 1835. His early educational 
advantages were exceedingly limited, owing to the fact that there were 
no schools in the county until he was almost grown, and he then picked 
up what education he could. In 1853 he lost his father, and he was 
compelled to work very hard in order to [p.836] support his mother and 
her younger children. In 1862 he enlisted in the Federal army, in 
Company F. Seventy-second Arkansas Regiment, and after serving eleven 
months went to Springfield, Mo., where he remained until the close of 
the war. He was in a number of battles and skirmishes, but was so 
fortunate as to escape without being wounded. He has been engaged in 
farming all his life, and is now the owner of 240 acres of land, a 
portion of which he inherited from his father and the rest he had 
homesteaded. This is one of the most desirable farms in the county, 
and is under fine cultivation. In 1859 he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Lee. who is a native of Benton County, and by her became the 
father of ten children, eight of whom are living: James A., Mary A., 
wife of G. W. Reddenck: Polly, wife of T. L. Howell: John W., Delilah, 
Lee, Joe and Tom. Mr. Ford is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and 
in his political views supports the principles of the Republican 
party. His father, Richard Ford, was born in North Carolina, and was 
a farmer by occupation. He came to Arkansas in 1834, the country 
abounding in wild game of all kinds at that time. It was a common 
occurrence to shoot a deer near the door or a wild turkey in a tree in 
the yard. Panthers and bears were also numerous, and as there were 
very few settlements at that time, but little attention was given to 
farming. the most of the settler's time being spent in hunting. The 
father was one of the first grand jurors of Benton County, and died 
in 1853. His wife's maiden name was Isabella Logan.