James Ford
Sunday, Dr. James Ford, one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of Wabash County, celebrated his 84th. birthday, at his home on West Hill Street, now occupied by his son-in-law, Capt. B.F. Williams, and family. It was a quiet affair, none being present to partake of the good dinner but the members of the family. Dr. Ford's life has been an unusually active one. He was born Jan. 19, 1812 in Harrison County, Ohio, near where the city of Cadiz now stands. He afterwards moved with his family to Mansfield, Ohio. In the year 1828 he entered Kenyon College and remained there one year, when he returned to Mansfield and commenced the study of medicine in 1831. He began practicing medicine in Connersville, this state, in 1835. In the year 1837 he was married to Miss America Holton. Dr. Ford moved to Wabash with his family in 1841, and has since made this city his home. He was the second man in Wabash to enlist under Abraham Lincoln's call for troops to put down the rebellion in the year 1861. Col. C.S. Parrish being the first to sign the enlistment papers. The doctor was made regimental surgeon of the 8th. I.V.I. and served in that capacity until the close of the war. He was appointed examining surgeon for pensions in the year 1871 and served in that capacity for several years. Dr. Ford's wife died about four years ago. He was the father of eight children. The doctor is quite active for one of his age and bids fair, if no accident befalls him, to live to reach at least his ninetieth mile post.
From RICHLAND SHIELD & BANNER: February 8, 1896, Vol. LXXVIII, No. 39