BIOGRAPHIES

 Source:
Memoirs of Lucas County & City of Toledo
Harvey Scribner, Editor in Chief
Illustrated
Volumes I & II
Publ. Madison, Wisc. by Western Historical Association
1910
 

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	IJ	K
L	M	N	OP	QR	S	T	UV	W	XYZ

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	JOHN PRAY FARNSWORTH, deceased, a lifelong resident of Waterville, Ohio, was born in that village.  Mar. 3, 1829, and entered into rest June 27, 1909.  Few if any of the native sons and citizens of Lucas county have enjoyed a larger circle of friends than did Mr. Farnsworth, and no one has been more highly esteemed, both in business and social life.  He was the son of Ralph and Harriet (Pray) Farnsworth, both of whom were of English lineage.  In the early sixteenth century, the English ancestors of the Farnsworth family spelled the name Ffarneworth, Ffernworth or Ffernoth; the name appears on English records as early as 1297, and by 1750 was quite common in England.  The first Farnsworth, known to have emigrated to America was Joseph, who settled in Dorchester, Mass., in 1628; his descendants were well-known in Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire, where they established themselves with their families, and among the more noted of this branch of the Farnsworths were Deacon Andrew.  Andrew A. and Dr. Danilla Farnsworth.  Thomas Farnsworth, of Bordentown, N. J., was a Quaker and came to America in 1681.  Mathias Farnsworth, born in England in 1612, settled in Lynn, Mass., owned a farm on Federal street in Lynn, married Mary Farr, a daughter of George Farr, of Lynn, and died Jan. 21, 1689.  At the same time Richard Pray, another noted ancestor of the present Farnsworth family, resided at Providence, R. I.  The children of Mathias Farnsworth were as follows:  Elizabeth, born 1647; Mathias, Jr., born in 1649; John, born in 1651; Joseph, born in 1657; Mary, born in 1660; Sarah, born in 1663; Benjamin, born in 1667; Samuel, born in 1669; Abigail, born in 1671; Jonathan, born in 1675; and Joseph, born in 1677. Mathias Farnsworth, Jr., ancestor of the Waterville branch of the family, married Sarah Nutting, lived in Groton, Mass., and served in Major Willard's company at Brookfield, Mass., during King Philip's war.  He and his wife were the parents of the following: Joseph, born in 1682; Ebenezer, born in 1684; Josiah, born in 1687; Sarah, born in 1688; Mathias, born in 1690; and Rebecca.  The children of Josiah and his wife, Mary Pierce, with dates of birth, are as follows:  Josiah 1721; Mary, 1722; Oliver, 1723; Ebenezer, 1726; James, 1727; Jemima, 1729; Thomas, 1731; Joseph, 1732; Oliver, 1735; and Mary, 1738.  James became a distinguished general in the Revolutionary war and resided in Charlestown, N. H.  He and his wife, Susanna, were the parents of the following children: Anna, born 1753, and Susanna, born 1756.  The children of James Farnsworth's second marriage were: Sarah, born 1758; Joseph, born 1760; Benjamin, born 1763; James, born 1767; Jeremiah, born 1773; and Dolly, born 1778.  Benjamin married Rebecca Wilson, Sept. 7, 1785; they were the parents of Ralph, who married Harriet Pray, Oct. 19, 1826, and whose family consisted of the following: Ralph, born May 8, 1827, John P., born Mar. 3, 1829; Junius, born Aug. 26, 1831; and James, born May 15, 1833.  Another son of Benjamin Farnsworth was the father of Lot Farnsworth, a prominent citizen of Whitehouse, Ohio, whose children are:  Ralph, Clifford, Delmar, and Mrs. Adah Stevens, of Toledo.  Other noted descendants of the original Mathias Farnsworth of Lynn are Gen. Elon John Farnsworth, hero of the famous cavalry charge at Gettysburg; Gen. Jonathan G. Farnsworth, quartermaster and adjutant-general in the Union army, and John F. Farnsworth, brigadier-general and congressman from Illinois.  The progenitor of the Pray family in America was Quinton Pray, born in England in 1595, immigrated to Massachusetts in 1643, and resided at Lynn and Braintree, Mass.  He was accompanied to America by his wife, Joan, and son Richard, born in 1630; the latter married in Providence and had one son, John.  By the second marriage of Richard, to Sarah Brown, Nov. 14, 1678, there was a son, Hugh, born in Rhode Island, who married Abigail Blake, settled in Providence and became the father of Jonathan Pray, who was born in Rhode Island, July 19, 1726, married Phoebe Aldrich and resided near Foster, R. I.  Their son, Rev. John Pray, born at Foster, Feb. 4, 1749, married Deborah Wade, Apr. 23, 1775, and resided in Rhode Island and New York.  Rev. John and Deborah Pray had a son, Esq. John Pray, who was born in Foster, Oct. 6, 1783, and married Lucy Dunham at Smithfield, N. Y., Mar. 21, 1809; and a daughter Harried, who was born at Peterboro, N. Y., Oct. 9, 1810, and married Ralph Farnsworth at Waterville, Ohio, Oct. 19, 1826.  John P., born in Waterville, Mar. 3, 1829, the son of Ralph and Harriet Farnsworth, is he whose name heads this sketch.  In 1818, John and Lucy (Dunham) Ray settled on a farm at the present site of Waterville; the village was laid out by Mr. Pray and he resided there until his death, which occurred Oct. 18, 1872.  His profession was surveying, and his familiarity with the country around Waterville enabled him to choose land for investment which became very valuable in the course of years and made him one of the richest land owners in Lucas county.  During his business career he was active in various enterprises - farming, milling, real-estate, etc.; he erected the old Columbian Hotel, which has become a noted landmark and is still in good repair.  He fought in the War of 1812, was first a Whig and later a Republican, and was most energetic and successful in every matter to which he gave his time and attention.  He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  John P. Farnsworth was twice married, and Mrs. Joseph P. Miller, of Swanton, Ohio, is the only child of the first marriage.  The second wife of Mr. Farnsworth was Miss Annie Wales, a talented young school teacher of Bellevue, Ohio, whom he married Dec. 26, 1854.  Of this marriage were born seven children: Watson W.; Mary H., born Feb. 5, 1858; John A., born July 22, 1861; Willard G., born Nov. 26, 1864; Ida F., born Dec. 20, 1866; Ralph E., born July 21, 1870; Delmar J., born Jan. 6, 1873.  John P. Farnsworth was a supporter of Republican national policies and an independent voter in local elections.  His most active political efforts were made in support of the Rose bill, by the passage of which the cause of temperance was greatly advanced and it became possible to deprive the liquor interests of all their privileges in the township of Waterville.  He was an earnest Christian man and an earnest and thorough student of psychological and theological matters.  Mrs. John P. Farnsworth is a woman of education and culture, enjoys excellent health, and finds her greatest interest outside of her family life in reading and writing for various newspapers and magazines, by which her articles are gladly accepted.  She resides with her sons and daughter and is very proud of her title of great-grandmother.  She is a member of the Lucas County Pioneer Society, a charter member of the Lucas County Horticultural Society, and a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Waterville.  A most delightful conversationalist is Mrs. Farnsworth, whose mind is stored with recollections of interesting historical events and with wisdom gathered from both men and books.  Watson W. Farnsworth, the eldest son of John P. and Annis (Wales) Farnsworth, wwas born at the old homestead near Waterville, Nov. 21, 1855; he has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and has made a special study of horticulture.  His early education was obtained in the public school near his home and in the Maumee Seminary, and he early manifested a deep interest in scientific fruit culture, new methods of propagation, of destruction of insect pests, etc.  His farm,  the Clover Leaf Fruit Farm, is widely known among horticulturists, who visit it for a practical demonstration of successful fruit culture, and also among fruit dealers, who usually contract for the entire output of the orchards in the early part of the season.  Currants, strawberries and other small fruits are raised in abundance, as well as peaches, pears, apples, and cherries.  Strawberry culture is a specialty of Mr. Farnsworth; his booklet for 1910 demonstrates his ability to furnish growers with about 3,000,000 plants of varieties of proved value. These plants are grown on virgin soil, are free from insect pest or plant disease, and are shipped to buyers in every section of the United States where strawberries can be grown.  An inspection of the farm shows conclusively the value of careful, scientific methods of fruit culture.  Every detail of the work is performed with the utmost precision; Mr. Farnsworth is at the head of his corps of skilled workers, with his able assistant, William E. Young, and nothing is neglected.   At certain seasons Mr. Farnsworth's supervision of his 100 acres of fruit is required day and night; at the spraying sea-son he uses his own demonstrated system of spraying; and at the harvest season a host of hands is required for the packing and shipping of the fruit.  At other times, however, Mr. Farnsworth is free to devote a portion of his time to public affairs and is greatly in demand as a lecturer on horticulture.  As a member of the Ohio State Horticultural Society, of which he is also ex-president and ex-secretary, his advice and opinions are sought and heard with the greatest respect; he advises with the experts of the United States experiment stations, lectures before the farmers' institutes, etc., and endeavors to aid, in every possible manner, the other fruit growers of the State by imparting to them the results of his years of study and experience.  In this public-spirited effort, Mr. Farnsworth is ably seconded by his brother, Willard G., whose fruit farm adjoins the Clover Leaf Farm, and who is also a most, successful fruit grower.  During the winter season, Mr. Farnsworth makes it his custom to feed a herd of cattle for the spring market, in order to give employment to his large force of workers, whose services he wishes to retain the entire year.  The apple crop from the Clover Leaf Farm, in 1909, amounted to several thousand bushels of marketable stock, 1,500 bushes of peaches were marketed and a proportionate quantity of pears, plums, cherries, currants, strawberries and other fruits.  The marriage of Watson W. Farnsworth and Miss Anna Norton was consummated June 16, 1881, and two children were born of the union - Ruth E. and Frank Norton, Ruth E. was born Apr. 9, 1887, near Waterville, graduated in the Waterville High School and also attended Ohio Wesleyan University.  During her university course, she became acquainted with a brilliant young fellow student, William E. Young, of Columbus, Ohio, whom she subsequently married. The marriage ceremony was celebrated at the Methodist Episcopal church at Waterville, Feb. 11, 1908, in the presence of several hundred friends of the happy couple. One son blessed this marriage—Paul Farnsworth,, born May 24, 1909. Frank Norton Farnsworth, born March 12, 1892, graduated in the Waterville High School with the class of 1910.  Mrs. Watson W. Farnsworth was a daughter of the late Capt. George W. and Elizabeth (Thompson) Norton, who were residents of the country near Maumee, Ohio.  Anna Norton was born near Maumee, Dec. 7, 1860, and was educated in the same locality.  She was a leader in the work of the Methodist church and prominent in many charitable organizations.  She was highly esteemed socially and her untimely death, June 12, 1908, removed from Waterville one of its most beloved and respected women, Mr. Farnsworth also is deeply interested in the welfare of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member; he has been superintendent of its Sunday school for thirty years.  He is a member of the Lucas County Horticultural Society and the Toledo Rex Spray Company, a stockholder of the Waterville State Savings Bank Company, the Citizens' Telephone Company, and a local automobile company.  Politically, he is affiliated with the Republican party, but is independent in his vote on local affairs.  He is a member of Wakeman Lodge, No. 522, Free & Accepted Masons, of Waterville.  Source: Memoirs of Lucas County & City of Toledo - Vol. II - Publ. 1910 - Page 510
	CHRISTIAN FISCHER, of Waterville, was born in Germany, June 17, 1835, and has lived in Lucas county since 1853.  Two yeas later his parents joined him in Waterville and were prosperous farmers of that community the remainder of their lives.  Upon his arrival in the United States.  Mr. Fischer was first employed as a day laborer at Middletown, N. Y., where he remained five months; he then engaged in construction work on the Wabash railroad,  then in process of building, and later became interested in farming.  He purchased sixty acres of partially cleared land, has since added to the original farm another tract of 130 acres, and is now the owner of one of the most valuable farms in Waterville, provided with all modern buildings, complete farm equipment, etc.  Mr. Fischer keeps informed on the latest methods of practical farming, is thrifty, industrious and unfailingly honest and trustworthy.  He is held in high regard by his friends and neighbors.  On Aug. 26, 1858, he was married to Miss Margaret Christman and fifteen children were born to the union: Adam, Christian, Martin, Daniel, William, Frederkck, Peter, Jacob, John, Sarah, Lotta, Margaret, Louisa, Mary and Johanna.  Four sons and four daughters are living.  Mrs. Fischer died in 1897 and, in 1904, Mr. Fischer married Mrs. Phoebe Sherer.  Mr. and Mrs. Fischer are devout members of St. John's Lutheran Church of Waterville, and are among its stanches supporters.  In political affiliations Mr. Fischer is a Democrat and takes an active interest in local questions.  He has capably served as town trustee, but does not cherish any political ambitions.  His career illustrates forcibly the possibilities of achievement which were open to the settlers of such a rich farming country as Lucas county and of which Mr. Fischer took advantage by means of his own sterling traits of character.  Source: Memoirs of Lucas County & City of Toledo - Vol. II - Publ. 1910 - Page 671
	JOHN S. FISHER, M. D., one of the prominent members of the medical profession in Toledo, was born in Logan county, Ohio, Oct. 4, 1845, a son of Lewis and Phoebe (Ballinger) Fisher, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio.  Dr. Fisher's paternal grandfather, William Fisher, was born in Virginia and in early manhood came west to Logan county.  He married there and both he and his wife passed to their reward in Logan county.  the maternal grandparents, Caleb and Rebecca (Bransen) Ballinger, were also natives of the Old Dominion.  He died in Hardin county, Ohio, and she passed away in Logan county, Ohio.  The father of Dr. Fisher came west to Logan county with his parents and was there actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred June 3, 1850, in his thirty-fifth year.  His devoted wife passed to the life eternal five years later, and she too was in her thirty-fifth year when she received the final summons.  Five children blessed the union of Lewis Fisher and wife, and of them the subject of this review is the only one who survives.  Left an orphan at a tender age.  Dr. Fisher was reared in the home of his maternal grandfather, Caleb Ballinger, and his early educational advantages were those of the common schools of Logan county.  His collegiate educational training was acquired at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and his professional training was obtained in Pulte Medical College, a celebrated Homeopathic institution of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in the spring of 1876.  Immediately thereafter, he commenced his independent career by embarking in the practice of his profession at Ada, Hardin county, Ohio, which place continued to be the base of his operations for ten years, at the expiration of which he removed to Owosso, Shiawassee county, Michigan, where he was actively engaged in the work of his profession until 1895.  He then established offices in Toledo, and here he has since been located, having rapidly built up a large and lucrative private practice.  He is on the staff of physicians at the Toledo Hospital, which fact tells the story better than words of his capabilities and high standing as a practitioner and of the confidence reposed in him by the general public.  Dr. Fisher holds membership in the Toledo Homeopathic Club and the Northwestern Ohio Medical Society.  In his political faith he is a stanch Republican, and though he has never been an office-seeker in the usual understanding of that term, he held the position of pension examiner during the administration of Grover Cleveland.  He belongs to the Central Christian Church of Toledo, in the affairs of which he takes an active interest.  In March, 1866, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Fisher to Miss Sarah A. Painter, who was also born in Logan county, Ohio, a daughter of Walter and Hope (Haines) Painter, of the above county, the former of whom attained the advanced age of ninety-one years and the latter died in her seventy-ninth year.  Sarah (Painter) Fisher was summoned to the church triumphant in 1874, leaving her bereaved husband and a wide circle of friends and acquaintances to mourn her untimely passing. In 1877, Dr. Fisher was united in holy wedlock to Miss Mary Good, a native of Hardin county and a daughter of Zephen Good, of which happy union were born three children: namely, Ilo B.; Thadeus, deceased; and T. Dewitt.  Source: Memoirs of Lucas County & City of Toledo - Vol. II - Publ. 1910 - Page 295
	JACOB FOLGER, well-known in commercial circles of Toledo as a successful pork-packer and sausage manufacturer, and a dealer in fresh and salt meats, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Apr. 16, 1844.  He is the son of John and Catherine Folger, and is the youngest of the seven children who grew to maturity, born to his parents.  When he was but six years of age he began his scholastic work in the excellent public schools of his native land, and was there engaged in study until he reached his thirteenth year.  Several years before, one of his elder brothers had migrated to the United States, locating in New York City, where his thrift and energy won him eminent success in the butchering business.  Inspired by his brother's success, young Jacob Folger determined also to seek his fortune in this new country, when he left school it was that he might make the journey across the water.  Seven weeks were consumed in the voyage to New York.  In that city, for three years, he made his home with his brother, and, watching carefully every detail of the latter's business, soon became thoroughly familiar with all its phases.  In 1860, he left New York and came west to Toledo.  Here he found employment in the market of Gottlieb Stahl, and for a period of three years served Mr. Stahl in the various capacities, at wages ranging from $8 to $16 per month, the working hours being from 3 a. m to 10 p. m. and often later.  By his frugality and thrift he managed to save sufficient money from his wages to enable him to engage in business for himself, and, in 1864, in partnership with Benjamin Emch under the firm name of Folger & Emch, retired from the firm, and ever since that time Mr. Folger has conducted the business alone.  At the present time he does a whole sale business entirely, selling to the retail trade in Toledo and elsewhere in the State.  From 1865 until 1883, the slaughter houses conducted by Mr. Folger were located on Central avenue, where the street railway barns now stand, but in the last named year they were removed to West Toledo, where they now stand.  An average of 100 hogs each day are killed for the business, and a few cattle for beef, but Mr. Folger has made a specialty of pork, and in that line he has established a reputation throughout this section of the country.  The excellence of his extra select hams, shoulders, bacon and dried beef have brought him may customers, and it is said that never have any of them reported the goods delivered to them to be below the standard of quality claimed for them.  The three-story building at 9½ and 11 St. Clair street is the wholesale store whence the articles are shipped.  This building is owned by Mr. Folger and has been renovated so that it is excellently adapted to its purpose.  Of recent years, he has turned over the active management of the business to his three sons - Charles A., Frederick J. and Frank B.  Frederick J. Folger is the manager of the slaughter house and the other two attend to the business at the store.  Their father, however, has not wholly relinquished his interest, as he seldom misses a morning when he is not at the store at 8 o'clock, and later makes a trip of inspection to the slaughter house.  In 1864, Mr. Folger was united in marriage to Miss Mary Emch, daughter of Benjamin Emch, with whom Mr. Folger was in business for a time.  Mrs. Folger was born in Wood county, Ohio, and grew to womanhood there.  By her marriage to Mr. Folger she became the mother of nine children.  The eldest daughter, Amelia, died in 1907.  Another daughter is the wife of Charles J. Sanzenbacher, county auditor, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.  Misses Julia and Lena are at home, and the sons have been heretofore mentioned in connection with Mr. Folger's business.  In the mater of politics, Mr. Folger is a stanch adherent of the policies of the Republican party, in national affairs, but in local matters he is not allied with any party organization, believing that the best interests of the city are subserved by independent use of the right of suffrage in municipal affairs.  He has been variously honored in the way of holding public office.  For two years he represented the Fourth Ward of the city in the council, and has been the incumbent of the office of president of the board of directors of Forest cemetery.  Fraternally and socially, he is identified with the German Pioneer Association of Toledo, and the Druid Society.  When it is considered with what little means Mr. Folger started life in Toledo, the fact of his splendid success can be better appreciated.  It has been truthfully said of him that his "progressive ways are known, his effective lousiness methods appreciated and his well-rounded success accepted as a public benefit.  He has always stood for those things which are for the best interests of the city and vigorously opposed those things which gave promise of injury.  No man in the public service was more faithful and truer in his devotion to and interest in his labors for the best interests of his city and its citizens while in the council and in other departments of the public service. He is known as honest and honorable, active and courageous, and unconquerable in behalf of right and justice."  Source: Memoirs of Lucas County & City of Toledo - Vol. II - Publ. 1910 - Page 556
Edward Ford	EDWARD FORD, president of the Edward Ford Plate Glass Company, of Rossford, Ohio, is a native of the Hoosier State, having been born in the little town of Greenville, Floyd county, Indiana, Jan. 21, 1843, the sixth in a family of seven children - five sons and two daughters - born to John Baptiste and Mary (Bower) Ford.  The paternal grandfather was Jonathan Ford, who married Margaret Baptiste, and the father of the latter was John Baptiste, who was married, near Danville, Ky., to Margaret Schuck.  He came from France, and was the first poneer in Kentucky to introduce the domestic grape.  The father was born near Danville, Ky., Nov. 17, 1811, and the mother was a native of Pennsylvania.  In early life John B. Ford learned the trade of saddler and shipbuilding at New Albany, Ind., and followed that vocation for several years.  He then became interested in glass manufacture and founded the Star Glass Company, at New Albany.  Some fifteen years before his death he removed to Creighton, Pa., where he died at the age of ninety-one years.  He is generally known as the father of the plate glass industry.  The mother also died at Creighton.  Edward Ford was education in the New Albany public schools and the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College, at Indianapolis, Ind.  After leaving school he began his business career as a clerk on a steamboat running between Louisville, Ky., and New Orleans, La.  He followed the river for several years, when he engaged in the glass manufacturing business, in connection with the Star Glass Company of New Albany.  In 1873 he severed his connection with that concern and went to Columbus, Ohio, where he established the Columbus Window Glass Company, with which he remained for about three years.  He then went to Jeffersonville, Ind., and engaged in the plate glass business exclusively, erecting there a plant for the Jeffersonville Plate Glass Company.  Five years later he went to Creighton, Pa., where his father was then living, and built a plate glass works, which at first was known as the New York Plate Glass Company and later as the Pittsburg Plate Glass Company.  Mr. Ford remained with this establishment for thirteen years, as president and manager, but in 1897 he sold out his interest in the concern and went to Wyandotte, Mich., where he became connected with the alkali works owned by his father.  In 1898 he came to Toledo and founded the Edward Ford Plate Glass Company, which is the largest plate glass works in the United States.  The factory at Rossford covers thirty-five acres, all under roof, and is equipped with the most modern machinery and appliances for turning out large quantities of the finest plate glass.  The officers of the company are: Edward Ford, president; J. B. Ford, first vice-president; Claud L. Lewis, general manager; George R. Ford, second vice-president and treasurer, and G. W. DeMaid, secretary and general sales agent.  The company employs 600 men, and the works are in operation day and night, the product of the factory going to all parts of the country.  The town of Rossford was put on the map of Ohio by the establishment of this great manufacturing concern, whose employes and their families alone constitute a town of considerable size.  Mr. Ford erected the nineteen-story office building known as the "Ford Building," in Detroit, Mich., and which is built of white glazed brick.  He is identified with other prominent institutions in Toledo.  He is one of the directors of the Second National Bank and one of the trustees of the Chamber of Commerce.  He is an enthusiastic member of the Toledo Yacht Club, in which he holds the rank of rear commodore, and in the spring of 1909 built for himself a fine steam yacht, concerning which the "Toledo Blade" of May 7, 1909, says: "Caroline, the fine steam yacht built for Rear Commodore Edward Ford, of Toledo, and regarded by all local yachtsmen as one of the future flagships of the Toledo Yacht Club, was launched at Lawley's shipyards, in South Boston, Wednesday afternoon.  The launching was accomplished without a hitch.  The yacht was christened by Edward Ford MacNichol, a grandson of Edward Ford.  The event was witnessed by Capt. Ed. Gruber and Engineer J. H. Cunningham, of Toledo, who went to Boston several weeks ago to superintend the completion of the craft. * * * Caroline is 125 feet over all, beam 18.3, and draft six feet.  Her motive power consists of a triple expansion engine of 750 horse power, and she is fitted with twin screws.  Caroline is equipped with electric lights throughout and contains all the modern conveniences expected in such a craft.  She will carry a crew of eight men, with Captain Gruber in command."  In his political convictions, Mr. Ford is a firm believer in the principles advocated by the Republican party, and his religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church of  Wyandotte, Mich. While residing in New Albany, Ind., he became a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and since coming to Toledo has identified himself with several of the leading social organizations, including the Toledo, the Country, the Middle Bass and the Toledo Yacht clubs.  Mr. Ford is universally recognized as one of Toledo's most progressive and public-spirited men, always willing to lend a hand to any movement for the advancement of the city's material progress, or to aid any charitable enterprise for the relief of her poor and needy. Mr. Ford has been twice married.  In 1861 he was united to Miss Evelyn C. Penn, who died in 1870, leaving two children — Mrs. M. R. Bacon, of Wyandotte, Mich., and John B. Ford, of Detroit, Mich.  In 1872 Mr. Ford married Miss Carrie J. Ross, of Zanesville, Ohio, and this union has been Blessed by two daughters and a son, viz.:  Mrs. George P. MacNichol, Mrs. W. W> Knightand George Ross Ford, all of Toledo.  Mr. Ford resides at 2205 Collingwood avenue.  Source: Memoirs of Lucas County & City of Toledo - Vol. II - Publ. 1910 - Page 25
	GEORGE ROSS FORD, treasurer and general manager of the Toledo branch of the Edward Ford Plat Company, was born at Creighton, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1882, and is the youngest of the five children born to Edward and Carrie J. (Ross) Ford.  The other children are John, who lives in Detroit; Mrs. M. P. Bacon, of Wyandotte, Mich.; Mrs. G. P. MacNichol, of Toledo; and Mrs. W. W. Knight, of Toledo.  His father is the owner of the largest plate glass works in the world - the Edward Ford Plate Glass Company - located at Rossford, Wood county, Ohio.  (See sketch of Edward Ford elsewhere.)  George R. Ford who takes his middle name from his mother's family name, was educated at Pittsburg, Pa., and Detroit, Mich., having attended the Park Institute in the former city, and the manual training school in the latter, where he graduated.  He then spent four years in the different departments of his father's glass factory, and understands fully every detail in the manufacture of plate glass, a knowledge that is of inestimable benefit to him in his present important and responsible position of treasurer and general manager.  Mr. Ford is also a stockholder in the Atwood Automobile Company, on Madison avenue, Toledo.  He is a member of the Toledo Club, the Country Club and the Yacht Club, and in his political opinions is a firm believer in the principles advocated by the Republican party, though he is not a seeker for public preferment.  Recently, he and his brother-in-law, W. W. Knight, purchased seventy-five acres of land in Oregon township, Lucas county, overlooking the beautiful Maumee river, and there they are erecting two handsome and well appointed summer homes.  On Feb. 22, 1908, Mr. Ford married Miss Grace Williams Miller, daughter of Sherman R. Miller, a representative citizen of Detroit, who is connected with the widely known seed firm of D. M. Ferry & Company, and the Royal Manufacturing Company of that city.  Mrs. Ford was born and educated in Detroit, graduating at Miss Leggett's school of that city, after which she attended and graduated at Miss Morgan's boarding school, in New York City.  Mr. and Mrs. Ford have one son, George R., Jr., born in Toledo, Nov. 3, 1908.  They live at *2208 Parkwood avenue, in one of the choicest residence sections of Toledo, and attend the Collingwood Avenue Presbyterian Church.  Source: Memoirs of Lucas County & City of Toledo - Vol. II - Publ. 1910 - Page 186 * This building appears to have been removed and some other building put there.
John W. Fuller	GEN. JOHN W. FULLER, a brigadier-general of volunteers in the Union army during the great Civil war, and for many years a resident of Toledo, was born at Cambridge, England, July 28, 1826, and died at Toledo, Mar. 12, 1891.  In 1833, he was brought to the United States by his father, a Baptist minister and a graduate of Cambridge University, England, under whose personal supervision the son was educated.  The father settled at Utica, N. Y., where the boyhood and early manhood of General Fuller was passed.  Upon arriving at the years of maturity, he embarked in the book selling an publishing business, and became one of the leading merchants of Utica.  In 1859, he had the misfortune to lose his establishment by fire, and soon afterward removed to Toledo, where he again engaged in the book trade, both as dealer and publisher, his house soon taking a front rank in that line of business.  At the breaking out of the war, he was prompt to espouse the cause of the Union, and when Governor Dennison, of Ohio, appointed Gen. Charles W. Hill, as brigadier general, the latter selected Mr. Fuller as his chief-of-staff.  His first service was in West Virginia, and of the regular army, wrote to Adjt.-Gen. C. P. Buckingham:  "There is a young man at Grafton by the name of John W. Fuller who knows more about military matters, the drilling of men, etc., than any one I have yet met in the service, and I hope that you will recommend him to Governor Dennison as the colonel of the next Ohio regiment sent to the field."  This recommendation was made without Mr. Fullers knowledge, and he was somewhat surprised when he received a telegram from the adjutant-general of Ohio, ordering him to report at Columbus to assume the command of the Twenty-seventh Ohio infantry.  Within two weeks, Colonel Fuller selected from a disorganized mass of 2,000 men the material for his regiment, which was mustered in, Aug. 18, 1861, for three years, and two days later left for St. Louis, Mo.  He took part in the campaign of that year against the Confederate General Price, and in February, 1862, joined the Union forces under Gen. John Pope for the reduction of New Madrid and Island No. 10, where he received the commendations of his superior officers for the bravery he displayed and the magnificent manner in which he handled his men.  Shortly after this, he was assigned to the command of the "Ohio Brigade," composed of the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio regiments, which he led in the hotly contested battle of Iuka, Miss., in September, 1862.  The following month, he again distinguished himself at the battle of Corinth, where he checked the charge of the enemy and broke the Confederate line, for which he was personally thanked by General Rosecrans, in the presence of the brigade.  In December, he defeated the redoubtable Forrest in the action at Parker's Cross-Roads, Tenn., after which he was in command of the post of Memphis until October, 1863.  During the winter of 1863-64, his command guarded the Nashville & Decatur railroad, most of the men of the Twenty-seventh re-enlisting at this time and enjoying their veteran furlough.  In the spring of 1864, the brigade was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee as the First brigade, Fourth division, Sixteenth corps, and, July 17, Colonel Fuller was promoted to the command of the division.  Prior to that date, he had participated in the various engagements of the campaign leading up to the investment of Atlanta, particularly the actions at Dallas, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain and Nickajack Creek.  On the morning of July 22, while the Sixteenth corps, General Dodge commanding, was moving to the extreme left to extend the lines still farther about the beleaguered city, it encountered General Hardee's Confederate corps, which he had made a detour the night before with a view of attacking General McPherson in the rear, and it was Fullers division that commenced the historic battle of Atlanta.  In the engagement that followed the first attack, it became necessary for Fullers division to change front while under movement the column gave way, when Fuller seized the flag of the Twenty-seventh and advanced toward the enemy, indicating with his sword where he wanted the new line formed.  His example was contagious.  With a cheer the Twenty-seventh swung into line, the other regiments of the brigade and division quickly following, and the day was saved.  For his valor and skill on this occasion, Colonel Fuller received his promotion to brigadier general.  After fighting at Ezra Church and Jonesboro, his brigade was transferred to the Seventeenth corps (General Blair), as the First brigade, First division, and started on the famous "March to the Sea."  In the campaign of the Carolinas, which followed the fall of Savannah, General Fuller's command distinguished itself at the Salkehatchie River, Cheraw, and numerous other engagements, and was present at the surrender of General Johnston.  He then marched with Sherman's victorious army through Richmond to Washington, D. C., where he participated in the grand review, after which the old regiment was mustered out.  On Mar. 13, 1865, General Fuller was brevetted major-general of volunteers "for gallant and meritorious services," but, Aug. 15, he resigned and returned to Toledo.  In 1874, he was appointed collector of  the port of Toledo by President Grant; was reappointed by President Hayes, and held the office until 1881, but the greater part of his life after retiring from the army was passed in mercantile pursuits, as the senior member of the wholesale boot and shoe house of Fuller, Childs & Co., on Summit street.  At the time of his death, he was a director of the Merchants' National Bank and the Toledo Moulding Company, and was a stockholder in several other corporations.  Before the war he was a Democrat, but after that he voted and acted with the Republican party.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Toledo and took an active interest in its welfare.  He also belonged to Toledo Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and the Ohio Commandery, Military Order of the Loyal Legion.  On Sept. 2, 1851, General Fuller married, at Utica, N. Y., Miss Anna B. Rathbun, and of this union were born six children, viz., Edward C., who at the time of his father's death was manager of the Ohio Pipe Company, at Columbus; Jennie R. who lived with her parents; Rathbun Fuller, an attorney at Toledo; Mrs. Thomas A. Taylor, of Toledo; Frederick C. of the firm of Furstenburg & Fuller, of Toledo; and Irene B. Rathbun, Frederick C. and Jennie R., still reside in Toledo.  Mrs. Anna B. Fuller's death occurred June 4, 1901.  Source: Memoirs of Lucas County & City of Toledo - Vol. II - Publ. 1910 - Page 40

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