D. A. Ford Biography


	This biography appears on page 178 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				D. A. FORD. 

	D. A. Ford, a well known merchant of Hill City, is a native of 
Canada, born on Prince Edward Island, on the 24th of September, 1854, 
of the marriage of John and Jane (McDonald) Ford, both also born in 
that province. The father was a shipironer by trade and took contracts 
in that line of work. He also owned and operated a farm and was an 
energetic and capable man. He and his wife remained lifelong residents 
of Prince Edward Island. 

	D. A. Ford, who was the third in a family of seven children, 
attended school in his native province. When twenty years of age he 
came to the States, locating in Boston, and there worked at the 
carpenter's trade for about three years. His next removal was to Otsego 
county, Michigan, where be continued to follow that trade, and for ten 
years he engaged in contracting there. In 1889 he removed to Rapid 
City, South Dakota, and after spending about two months there made his 
way to Hill City during the tin boom. He was a painting and decorating 
contractor for a number of years and then, purchasing a stock of 
general merchandise, has since 1902 devoted his entire time to the 
building up of his trade. He carries goods of high quality and as his 
prices are reasonable and his business methods open and above board, he 
is rewarded by a patronage that is constantly increasing in volume. 

	Mr. Ford was married on the 25th of February, 1888, to Miss Sadie 
C. Teese, a native of Goderich, Canada. and a daughter of John T. and 
Katherine (Buchanan) Teese, both for many years residents of Scotland. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ford have four children: Lela, deceased; Galen G., who is 
operating a stock ranch; Orville, who is in partnership with his 
brother Galen G.; and Melva, the wife of Clayton P. Wilson, who is 
engaged in the grocery business in Rapid City. Mr. Ford is a republican 
and is at present serving his ward as alderman, but has never held any 
other political office. He belongs to Hill City Lodge, No. 112, A. F. 
&; A. M., in which he has held all of the chairs; also to the chapter, 
and commandery, of Rapid City; and to the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. In 1912 he was a delegate to the Grand Lodge of Masons at 
Pierre and he has also represented his district in the grand lodge of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His prominence in those 
organizations indicates his popularity and his warm social nature, 
while the respect in which he is held in the business circles of Hill 
City testifies to his ability and integrity.