Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-06-28
The Late Gov. Ford.


.SEABURY FORD, late Governor of the State of
Ohio, aged SO.
Mr.. FORD was born Oct.15, 1901, in Ches-
hire, in that part of it then called the Colum
ba Society, New Haven county, Conn.,,
where he remained until five years old, when
his parents removed to Ohio, and located in
Burton, Geauga county. Until the age of
sixteen he engaged IN the labors inci1ental
to the subjugation of the wilderness, and
cultivation of The farm. While thus employ
ed his mind thrsted for knowledge and i'm
provement, and he availed himself of the
reading of such bopks as came within his
reach. At this period he commenced
course of study at Warren, Trnmbull county
preparatory to entering college. After a
few months he returned to Burton, and under
the tuition of David L. Coe, Principal of the
Academy, then just opened in that place,
completed his preparations.
In the fall of 1921 he went to New Haven,
Conn, ard was admitted member of Yale
College He graduated with the class of
ls25.-His standing as scholar was hon.
orabe, though not in the foremost rank.
Returning home he entered on the study of
law, with the late Hon. P. Hitchcock, and in
1928 was admitted to the bar. Sept 10th,
1928, he was married to Miss Harriet E.
! Cook, daughter of John Cook, Esq, of
Burton, The fruit of this union was five
sons, o: whom the youngest three survive
him.
| Until the fall of 1885 he directed his attention
to the duties of his proiesson,a and the pursuits
of agriculture, in which through life, he took
a special and practical interest, Meanwhile
lie sustained several important military
Offices. AT this date he was elected Rep
resentative for Geauga county to the Leg
sature of the State. In this relation his
care and nssidnity in the preparation and
dispatch Of business soon established his
reputation, and won general confidence to
him as capable and faithful public servant
He was returned to the Legislature the five
following years in succession, and in 1910
was made Speaker of the House. During
this part of his legislative career, he orignat-
ed and introduced bills, from which has grown
the present system of Financial Reports. and
Reports of Benevolent Institutions o: the
State, and exerted marked influence. In
lS4l he was elected to the Senate fiom the
District composed of the counties of Cuya-
hoga and Geauga. In 1874 he was agaln
chosen to the Senate from the same District
az before, and made speaker. In lS4S the
highest honor OF the State was conferred on
him by his election TO the Office Of Governor
Such is an outline of the trusts reposed in
him by the free choice of his tellow-c citizens;
and it is but simple justice to say, that their !
confidence in him VAS never betrayed or
disappointed. With him office was no
snecure. Whatever was the position which
he occupied, he earnestly studied its appro-
pirate duties, and conscientiously applied !
himself to their discharge.
AS legal adviser he was judicious and I
candid, ard eminently a peace-naker. AS
legislator he vas discreet, practical,
Industrious, and zeaously devoted to what his
honest and well studied convictions assured |
him to be the true policy and interest of his
constituents, and of the State and by his !
manifest integrity, and dignifed courtesy,
he secured the respect of those who stood
opposed TO him in political views.
As Chief magistrate, he held the reins of
government with dignity anG frmness,
upheld the honor of State, and watchfuly !
guarded all its interests. He returned to
PtNatc Ilt Win all uDsulleu ldHle, anu the |
approva of the honorable and high-minded
of all parties, as one who has been true to !
the high trusts committed to h..n. In the !
more private relations of life he was,
neighbor, obliging and affable; as friend
generous, sympathetic and faithful, as
husband and father, kind aid .indulgent;
while the genial warmth of his social tenn
perament fitted him to be the life and
ornament Of the domestic and social cir
Gle.
But in the light of that eternity on which
he has entered, eclipsing all else in value
and interests, appears his ;elig ious character
His highest excellence is found in the fact
that he feared God, and was willing to lay
his, talents ard acquisitions, his earthly
honors and influence at the feet of Christ. a
free will offering to him and his kingdom.
The early instructors and example of pious
mother, and other christ ian friends, made, an
indelible impression on his mind, and amid
the pursuit and pleasures, the temptations
and folles of his youthful days their salutary
influence was often felt and in later life
greatefully acknowledged. He ever regard
ed christianity with respect, attended on its
means of grace, and from the time he settled
in life, was supporter Of its institutions.
Not, however, till the winter Of 1893 4, at
the age of 80, did he make religion
matter of ofpersonal and practical regard. He
then hopefully submitted his trust to the
claims of the Gospel, and at once took an
active position as its advocate. and engaged
in the duties of the chris IN life. In March
following he united with the Congregations