From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 1894 - Page 180-184 JOHN FORD. If the old world had not contributed to the population of the new, Wisconsin would not have reached its present high state of prosperity. Scotland has furnished her full quota of vigorous, energetic men, but she has contributed none more worthy of mention that John FORD, who was for many years a prosperous business man of this section, but is now living retired from the active duties of life, and in the enjoyment of a competency which his early industry earned him. He was born in Perthshire, Scotland, June 30, 1824, a son of James and Janet (MELLIS) FORD, grandson of John FORD, and great-grandson of William FORD, all whom were born in Perthshrie, Scotland, but were of English origin. The great-grandfather was a farmer and died in Wolfhill, Scotland, in 1836, at the age of eighty years. His wife was Margaret McFARLAND, and by her he became the father of the following children: James; George, who died in Scotland, leaving two sons and a daughter; John, who was drowned in the River Tay, left three sons and three daughters; Joseph died in Scotland, leaving four sons and a daughter; Jacob; Ann, wife of George CLARK, died young; Hannah, wife of Thomas BROWN, reared two sons and two daughters; Helen, wife of Duncan STEWART, left three sons and two daughters, and Catherine, wife of James YOUNG, left two sons and a daughter. James FORD was born in Kinclaven, Scotland, in 1795, and was a lumber sawyer by trade. He died of fever at Wolfhill at the age of forty-five years, leaving a widow and four children: Janet (ROBERTSON) who died in Minnesota, leaving a son and three daughters; Margaret (GIBB) died in Minnesota, leaving three sons and two daughters; John and James. The mother of these children was born at Kinclaven, Scotland, a daughter of John MELLIS, who was also a native of that place, and followed the occupation of farming, in which occupation he was assisted by his wife, whose maiden name was Janet FOOTE, and by whom he became the father of the following named children: James; George, who was drowned in the River Tay; John; Janet and Mary. Mrs. Janet FORD died in Watertown, Wis., in 1868, a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church, as were all the FORDs. John FORD, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared in the village in which he was born, and there he acquired a thorough common-school education, and for some time after finishing his education was assistant in St. Martin's school. In 1849 he embarked at Glasgow for the Untied States, and after a voyage of eight weeks and four days he landed at the city of New York, in August, and with the other members of the family came direct to Watertown, Wis. He at that time had $150, and he at once engaged in brick laying, which occupation he followed for fifteen years. In 1863 he became the chief clerk in the Quartermaster's Department under Capt. Samuel BAIRD, at Helena and Little Rock, Ark., but in the spring of 1865 returned to his home in Wisconsin. For seven years thereafter he was chief clerk for the Chief Engineer of the C., M. & St. Paul Railway, then formed a partnership with Joseph HAMLIN in the lumber trade, and continued in this occupation until 1886 when Mr. HAMLIN was killed, the business was sold and Mr. FORD retired from active business life. He has been a prominent, public-spirited and useful citizen of Watertown, has fully identified himself with the interests of his adopted country from the first, and was loyal to Uncle Sam during the great struggle between the North and South. He is a stockholder of the gas company, has been president of the same for the past six years, and has served as alderman and school commissioner for two years. He was the first city school superintendent under the Union School system, and when he first came to the United States he taught school for three winters, and this, with the experience he had gained as an educator in his native land, well fitted him for the position of school superintendent. He was first a Whig, but since the organization of the party has been a Republican in politics and socially is a worthy member of the A.F & A.M. December 3, 1847, he was married to Miss Martha McKRITCHIE, a native of Scotland and a daughter of Jeremiah and Ann (BORRIE) McKRITCHIE, and grand-daughter of George McKRITCHIE, a millwright by trade. The father died in 1849 when about seventy years of age, having also been a millwright. To Mr. and Mrs. FORD have been born six children, three of whom are living: James G., John C. and Junia F., wife of C. C. EATON. Anna died at the age of seventeen years and two children died in infancy. Mrs. FORD is a member of the Congregational Church and is highly respected in the community in which she resides. Submitted by Carol