In the industrial world. Mr. Ford has gained a good success, having a fine saw mill one half mile west from Kippen, where he does a good business. In addition to this he has a quarter section of fertile land and does a general farming business and in connection with his son, who owns a quarter of land also, raises cattle, having good success in all these undertakings, because of his thrift, skill and sagacity. William Ford was born in Carroll, Penobscot County, Maine, on September 28, 1850, being the son of Charles and Philoma (McKinny) Ford. The father, who was a blacksmith and farmer, was born in Maine in 1810. He was a pioneer in Minnesota and died there in 1876. The mother was born in Maine also, in 1815 and in 1889 she passed from this earth. The family came to Minnesota when William was two years old. They settled in Minneapolis and the father wrought at his trade. Three years later they removed to Anoka, where the father took land and there wrought at his trade also. Our subject worked with his father, attended school and by the time of his majority had mastered in a skillful manner the king of all trades. Then he went to do for himself and in addition to working at blacksmithing took up lumbering and became thoroughly acquainted with this business throughout. He remained in Minnesota until 1891, then he came west and sought out a place. He located near Tyler, in Washington, and his family came to him. Three years were spent there and when the Nez Perces reservation opened up he came hither and took up his present farm as a homestead. Between the time of his residence at Tyler and his coming to Nez Perces County he had spent two years near Colfax. On July 27, 1876, Mr. Ford married Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of Thomas and Angeline (Carothers) Hull. The father, a farmer, was born in Ohio in 1834. The mother was born in Indiana, in 1840, and died in October, 1891. Mrs. Ford was born in Richland County, Wisconsin, in October, 1858. Her parents were pioneers to that County and her grandfather Carothers was one of the first settlers in Wisconsin. Mrs. Ford has the following named brothers and sisters: John R., in Minnesota; James E., in Washington: Lillie, now Mrs. Z. M. Powell; Delia Gilispie; Gertrude; Eugene. Mr. Ford has brother and sisters as follows: Philoma Varney, at Coquille, Oregon; Ruth Demorest, in Kippen; Charles, at Grand Junction. Colorado, and was wounded in the Civil War, where he served; Frank, in Minnesota. To Mr. and Mrs. Ford there have been born five children, Bernard M., living adjoining his father’s farm and interested in the mill business with his father; Effie, Clair H. Hugh and Cecil, all at home. Mr. Ford is a Republican and takes a great interest in having good government and good schools. Mrs. Ford’s father was a soldier in the Civil War, being in the Eleventh Wisconsin.
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Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903