Essex

FORD, Samuel W.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 142

Samuel W. FORD, of Concord [Essex County, Vermont], was born 16 June 1823 in 
Grafton [Grafton County], New Hampshire, son of Robert and Lydia (HALE) FORD. 
When Samuel arrived at the age of six years his father moved to Kirby 
[Caledonia County, Vermont], and in the public schools of that town he 
received his early educational training. He left home when about seventeen 
years old and pursued the vocation of farm laborer until the age of thirty. 
He was an excellent type of his class of that period now unfortunately so 
seldom to be found in our agricultural communities. Sturdy, intelligent, and 
industrious, he fought his way through difficulties and obstacles, until he 
was able to marry and settle upon the fertile farm he has occupied ever 
since, where he has still continued to manifest the thrift and perseverance 
of his early life. He has been most successful in breeding good grade 
Shorthorn stock and Shropshire sheep.

On 08 March 1853 Mr. [Samuel W.] FORD was married to Sophronia, daughter of 
William and Polly WILLRY. Mrs. FORD has been the mother of four children: 
(1) Ellery; (2) Helen, Mrs. William LINDSAN; (3) Dan; and (4) Almeda, 
Mrs. Milo A. GREEN. [Does the unusual wording "she has been the mother of" 
imply that some of these children were Sophronia's from a former marriage?] 
Mr. [Samuel W.] FORD bears a striking resemblance to the late ex-President 
[Rutherford B.] HAYES [no portrait of Mr. FORD is included with his biography 
in this source] and is also of the same political creed [Republican]. As 
selectman he was most active and energetic in raising the town quota of 
soldiers during the Civil War. The requisition was received Saturday and on 
the following Thursday sixteen recruits were enrolled before sunset. In 1876 
he represented the town of Concord in the [Vermont] Legislature.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly