Bio. of William Newton Ford ~ son of Burton M. and Mary Jane (Dwight) Ford
NORTHWESTERN
IOWA
ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION
VOLUMEIII
1804-1926
W. N. FORD
In the field of active and successful industry, no citizen of Sioux City took precedence over the late William Newton Ford, for many years president of the Ford Lumber Company, whose death occurred at his home, 2322 Jackson street, this city, December 15, 1921, in the fifty-sixth year of his age.A man of sound judgment and marked executive ability, he was eminently successful in his business affairs, which he vigorously carried forward until his firm became one of the most important concerns in its line in Sioux City.He was in the fullest sense of the term a virile, progressive businesman, thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the age in which he lived, and his strong mental powers, invincible courage and determined purpose gained for him aplace in the front rank of the enterprising and influential men of his community.
Mr. Ford was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 6th of October, 1866,and was
a son of Burton M. and Mary Jane (Dwight) Ford, the former of whom wasborn
in New Haven, Connecticut, and the latter in Springfield, Massachusetts.They
were married in the latter city and shortly afterward moved toChicago,
where the father engaged in the real estate business, in which he wasprominent
and successful.Aside from a few years' residence in Des Moines,Iowa, they
spent the remaining years of their lives in Chicago, where theypassed away.
William Newton Ford secured his educational training in the publicschools
of Des Moines, where the family lived during his youth, and on leavingschool
he went to work in the offices of the Chicago & NorthwesternRailroad, where
he remained a short time.He had attracted the attentionof J. H. Queal, of
the J. H. Queal Lumber Company, of Des Moines, and waspersuaded to enter his office.Here he soon demonstrated the possession of unusual business qualities and shortly thereafter, when Mr. Queal opened a lumber yard in Sioux
City, Mr. Ford, then but twenty-one years of age, wasplaced in charge of the Sioux City business.He retained that position, with great credit to himself, until 1900, when he severed his connection with the Queal company and formed the partnership of Ford & Hollandsworth, retaillumber merchants. Three years later he bought his partner's interest and thereafter conducted the business alone.Through close attention to details, progressive and up-to-date methods and the sound principles on which he based his operations, he realized a very gratifying measure of prosperity and was numbered among the solid and substantial business men of his city.
On September 28, 1893, Mr. Ford was united in marriage to Miss FrancesE.
Lincoln, of Fort Dodge, Iowa a daughter of David Kennedy and Lucy (Parmelee)
Lincoln.Her father, who was a native of New York state, was a prominent
merchant of Fort Dodge, while her mother, who was born in Illinois, was the
daughter of a Congregational minister, who came from New York state to Illinois in an early day.To Mr. and Mrs. Ford were born four children, of whom two, Lucy and Burton Lincoln, survive.Mr. Ford was a member of TyrianLodge, No. 508, F. & A. M.; Sioux City Consistory, A. A. S. R.; Abu-Bekr Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and Sioux City Lodge, B. P. O. E., and also belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Club, the Sioux City Club and the Sioux City Boat
Club.He was possessed of a splendid singing voice, which he gladly used for the pleasure of his friends, and in all his social relations he was cordial and friendly, enjoying marked popularity.Though unassuming in manner, his life
as a business man, citizen and friend was at all times aninspiration to those who came into contact with him.No locality can afford to lose men like William N. Ford, for such lives are a practical influence for good in every
community.
posted at this site with Debbie's permission.
Deborah
see: http://www.iagenweb.org/history/index.htmlhttp://www.iagenweb.org/history/index.html
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Re: Bio. of William Newton Ford ~ son of Burton M. and Mary Jane (Dwight) Ford
Deborah Stanley 4/20/05