William Ford
Introduction
William Ford (December 10, 1826 – March 8, 1905) was an Irish-American businessman and was the father of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford.
Life and career
William was born in Ballinascarthy near Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland and was the son of Thomasine (née Smith) and Jonathan "John" Ford. Ford's ancestors were originally from Somerset, England, and migrated to Ireland as part of the Plantations of Ulster.
William attended St. Joseph's High School, had six siblings, and emigrated to the United States in 1846. The family arrived in Quebec in 1847 and then onto the United States.
On April 21, 1861, William married Mary Litogot in Wayne County, Michigan, daughter of Belgian immigrants. He and Mary had eight children, six of whom survived into adulthood. They moved to Detroit, Michigan.
William retired in 1879. He died of natural causes on March 8, 1905, in his home and was buried in the Ford Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan, USA, Plot: St. Martha's Episcopal Churchyard.
Family
William married Belgian-American Mary Litogot, together they had six children:
| Name | Birth/Death | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Henry Ford | 1863–1947 | Henry was the first child of William and Mary Ford. He is the founder of the Ford Motor Company |
| John Robert Ford | 1865–1927 | John was the second child of William and Mary Ford. |
| Margaret Ford | 1867–1960 | Margaret was the third child of William and Mary Ford. |
| Jane Ford | 1869–1906 | Jane was the fourth child of William and Mary Ford. |
| William Ford Jr. | 1871–1917 | William was the fifth child of William and Mary Ford. |
| Robert Ford | 1873–1934 | Robert was the sixth and last child of William and Mary Ford |
William had 6 siblings – 4 sisters, and 2 brothers:
| Name | Birth/Death |
|---|---|
| Rebecca Ford | 1824–1895 |
| Jane Ford | 1829–1851 |
| Mary Ford | ca. 1832–1882 |
| Nancy Ford | 1834–1920 |
| Henry Ford Sr. | 1840–1901 |
| Samuel Ford | 1837–1884 |