AN HONORED CITIZEN DEAD
Dr. James Ford, One of the Oldest and Best Known Physicians in State, Passes Away.
End of a Useful Life at a Ripe Old age — He Leaves a Host of Friends and No Enemies — One of the Oldest and Most Highly Respected Citizens.
While not unexpected the announcement of the death of Dr. James Ford, which occurred at 10:10 o'clock Friday morning, cast a gloom over many homes in Wabash. The doctor died at his own home on west Hill Street, where he has resided since 1841, and where all his children, except one, were born, where his life's companion died and around which were woven so many recollections of the past which the doctor held dear to his heart. The deceased was a life-long member of the Christian church and so long as his health permitted he took a deep interest in religious matters and was an earnest worker in the cause. Until within the past few years he was a member of Hanna Lodge F. and A.M., and was a charter member of James H. Emmet Post No. 6, G.A.R. He was a kind-hearted, generous husband, father and friend, and he will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and especially his earlier associates. The doctor had not practiced his profession for fifteen or eighteen years. His mind was as strong as ever and until a few years ago he was active, but his increased years, loss of hearing, coupled with the fact that he had a competency of this world's goods, caused him to give up his practice. He had no particular disease, and death was simply caused by the wearing out of the whole system. To use his own language, he had been "living on borrowed time" for several years. His relatives and friends had noticed for a long time that he was growing weaker rapidly, and nothing but his great energy and love of outdoor exercise kept him up the past few years. The funeral will take place from the residence of the late deceased, on west Hill street, at two o'clock Sunday afternoon. The services will be conducted by Rev. Earle Wilfley and Rev. Dr. Chas. Little. #Burial in the family vault in Falls cemetery. The remains of the doctor will be incased in the casket which he had made for himself during the past year. About three months ago the doctor gave up and went to bed. He was not sick, but tired and worn out. From that time he scarcely left his bed. Nearly two weeks ago he got up, went downstairs and ate quite heartily, but in a short time was helped to bed again. A few nights ago he got up out of bed and while fixing something about the stove fell to the floor. He was not injured in the least, and his grandsons, sleeping in an adjoining room, hastened to his assistance. He recognized his family and friends up to the last. Probably no physician in Indiana had a wider practice than Dr. Ford, when in his prime, and he enjoyed the confidence of his fellow practitioners. A number of years ago Dr. Ford recommended a patient of his to go to Logansport to be treated by Dr. Fitch. On the patient's arrival at the City of Bridges, Dr. Fitch asked him who had treated him in Wabash. When informed that he had been under Dr. Ford's care Dr. Fitch replied: "Well, if old Dr. Ford couldn't do anything for you, it is of no use for you to come to me."
Dr. James Ford, son of James and Rebecca Ford, was born on January 19, 1812, on the present site of Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio. With his parents, he moved, in 1814 to Mansfield, Ohio, where the father as fatally injured by a fall. At Mansfield the family resided until Dr. Ford was grown. A great student, he devoured all of the limited literature of the time and locality, and was especially fascinated with mathematics. In 1828 he entered Kenyon College, where Salmon P. Chase was then a tutor, Dr. Ford receiving instruction in Latin under the man afterwards so famous as a financier and statesman. At the end of a year the doctor left Kenyon and spent a year at classical high school established at Mansfield and in 1831, under advice of Dr. Bushnell, began the study of medicine. Resolving to attend Dartmouth college he started east on Lake Erie, was shipwrecked, and his journey was so delayed that he gave up the project and determined to go south. Reaching Cincinnati, navigation on the Ohio was closed by the ice and he met a friend living in Connersville and turned to Indiana, locating at Connerville, where he met the famous Dr. Mason, who took an interest in the young man, called on him and asked him to become a member of his family. The year 1835 was a profitable one for the physicians, as there was much sickness in and around Connersville, and Dr. Ford labored early and late and his practice was attended with unusual success. In 1835 Dr. Mason having been elected to the legislature, transferred his practice to Dr. Ford, and the succeeding year he took a course of lectures at the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati, graduating with high honors.
His marriage to Miss America Holton, daughter of the Rev. Jesse Holton was solemnized in 1837, and the union was one of unalloyed happiness, ending with the death of Mrs. Ford some eight years ago. Dr. Ford continued to practice his profession in Connersville in 1841, when he removed to Wabash, which he had ever since, made his home, and in which community he was always a conspicuous and honored figure. In 1854 he obtained his degree from the Rush Medical college, Chicago, which he attended. He was one of the original trustees of Butler college, at Indianapolis, serving in that capacity for eleven consecutive years. In 1861, when the news came of the attack on Fort Sumter, he was the second man, at the meeting called to organize a company, to volunteer, and was made surgeon of the Eighth regiment. He was ordered to the army of the southwest and after the battle of Pea Ridge was appointed brigade surgeon. In 1862 he was appointed medical director in the field and was on Gen. Davidson's staff. Ill health forced his resignation in June of that year, he receiving an honorable discharge. During his army career he was in several of the most hotly contested battles of the war. In 1871 Dr. Ford was appointed pension examiner and held the position for fifteen years.
Several children were the fruit of the marriage of Dr. and Mrs. Ford, of whom all but two survive. They were as follows
- Mary Elizabeth, born in 1838, married Joseph M. Thompson and died in 1865;
- Martha Jane, born in 1841 and died in 1846;
- Allena, born in 1843 and married Capt. B.F. Williams in 1868;
- Nancy Anna, born in 1846 and married Capt. William Daily Stone;
- Dr. James Henry, born in 1848 and married Lois D. McLain;
- William Jesse, born in 1851 and married Mary Jane Conde; and
- Edwin Holton born in 1861 and married Elizabeth Neff.
Died at age 86 years, 11 months, 13 days.
