Ray County, Missouri Obituaries - Ford, Robert Austin d. 1916 b. March 13, 1840 d. 1916 cem. Lawson Cemetery nee: pd. January 27, 1916 p. Lawson Review, Lawson, Ray County, Missouri; Front Page obit: In Memory. Robert Austin Ford was born in Virginia March 13, 1840, being the youngest in a family of ten children born to Austin and Jane Ford. But a few months of his life, however, was spent in Virginia, the parents thinking to better their fortune, drifted westward with the growing family settling first in Clark county, Missouri. Not finding this country to his liking, the father again loaded his family and belongings into an emigrant wagon and traveled northward finally locating in Clay county, where the subject of this sketch, spent the greater part of his long and useful life. The Ford family coming as they did from the heart of the south, naturally sympathized with the southern cause, and at the breaking out of hostilities, many members of this family took up arms in defense of what they honestly believed to be a just cause. Young Robert enlisted in General Price’s army, being in Col. Reeve’s regiment, taking part in the bloody battle of Springfield, Mo., also being in several other fierce engagements, and although unwounded in battle he endured many hardships incident to army life. During the latter part of the war, he was in the west from which he returned a year or two after the close of the war. He was united in marriage October 6, 1867 to Mary Elizabeth Story, who survives him. To this union thirteen children were born, four of whom died in infancy. Six sons and three daughters are left to mourn the death of a good father. Oscar of Portland, Oregon; Jesse of Cherry Grove, Oregon; Samuel of Vancouver, B.C.; Newton of Kansas City; J. Doc, Robert, Mrs. J.P. Wharton, Margaret and Susie of near Lawson. He united with the Presbyterian church of Lawson in the fall of 1890, continuing in the membership of this body until his death, always ready and willing to contribute of his time and means to the support of the church and the good cause. In early manhood he became a member of the Masonic Lodge, being a member of this organization for forty-six years; his fellow lodgemen conducting the burial service, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Lawson cemetery. Thus has been written the events of a man’s life. So by dates may the important happenings in the life of any man be known but not always does the private lives of men measure up to the standard of that of Mr. Ford. In his business dealing he was strictly honest, having the fullest confidence and highest esteem of his neighbors and business associates. It is not often that any man can reside on one farm for thirty-six years, have business dealings with neighbors for that length of time, and remain on good terms with all, as did Mr. Ford. For years the Ford home, two miles west of Lawson, was known far and wide for its hospitality; here the children grew to manhood, receiving from the father the training necessary to make them successful men and women. Himself a most industrious and energetic man, he taught his children early in life the value of labor. He was a firm believer in education, often denying himself that his sons might obtain an education, and lived to know that they were all settled in life and doing well. As a husband he was kind and true. By his death the wife has lost a faithful companion, the children a loving father, and the community a useful citizen. W.E.J. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jenna Zunker USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or their legal representative, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------