Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-02-12
JOHN 4. EOgss.

The B0liHiJyod3, a literary weekly, gives
some Interesting particulars Of the career OF
manager John Il. Ford nom which tae fol-
Lowing are taken:
John Thompson Ford. was born IN Bali
more city or The 10th day OF April, 1923, and
s. now nearing his forty. seventh birthday,
although by temperate life and cheerful
disposition, he has so preserved his health,
thai he does lot appear over forty. Mr.. Ford
was educated III the public schools OF Bait
more. While yet in his teens Mr.. Ford re-
moved from Baltimore 20 Richmond. where
he obtained employment with the late VIII
liam Greanor, OF that city, a well known
tobacco manufacturer. Mr.. q. was an own
uncle of the subject OF our sketch on his
mothers side, aud extended his nephew
every facility for the acQu lrement OF a
thorough knowledge OF the business, but he
soon sought other pursuits more congenial
To bls tastes and inclinations. To This fact
is probably due Mr.. Fords utter eschewal OF
the weed, he neither smoking nor chewing,
nor usirg II In any other form.
HIS next adventure was IN The Sn1s sh sSa
a twelve-month, but IN did not nj the meas
ure OF his desires in q business way, and this
he soon abandoned. Returning TO Baltimore
city that would afford him livelihood and
present an inducement for the exercise of his
laudable ambition, at the early age OF % be
became business manager for George Kun
kels Nightingale Minstrels, and conducted
the troupe throughout the south and west,
In one OF the most profitable tours which
liar troupe. Naturally OF a genial dispo-
sition and extremely courteous IN his dep 1rt-
ment, Mr.. Ford made numerous friends for
the troupe in every town and city.
After the successful tour of the Kunkel
troupe, TO which we have already made ref
erence, MI. Ford became dissatisfied with
the rowing, nomadical kind OF life which sep
arated him from bis then young and inter-
esting family, and TO whom he was devoted
ly attached, and made arrangements for a
more settled and agreeable mode OF living.
In VT ~ bal nj
Mr.. Thomas Monkey, both OF whom had con-
trOlled the kunkel and Monkey troupe, Mr..
Ford formed copartnersnip, and leased the
Richmond (Na.) Theater and the Holiday
Street Theater, Baltimore. AIR. Kunkel con-
scented to go TO Richmond ana take charge of
the theater there, accompanied by Mr.. Mox-
ley, while Mr.. Ford remained In Baltimore,
and assumed sole control of ths Holiday.
IL is but proper here 10 state, as an Illus
tration of Mr.. Ford's great energy and In
dustry, that the Holiday Street Tneater vas
then at the period OF its greatest possible de-
clension. The building was out of repair, the
scenery Old and nutilated. and the house not
the owners TO give IL a thorough renovation,
employed only the best actors, and intro
duced none but the most reputable perform
ances. and although the process was tedious
aud try ing, he ultimately had the pleasure
OF seeing IL one OF the most popular AMI re-
spectacle places OF amusement ia the entire
city.
Finally, the war coming on, and all COM
munication between Richmond and Balti-
more having been cut OF or so interrupted
as 10 become not only uuGrequent, but I'M
safe, the co-partnersh;p between aessTs.
Ford and kunkel & Moxley, was dissolved
by mutual consent, anu Mr.. Ford became
sole lessee and manager OF the Holiday
Street TheateT. He subsequently leased the
Front Street Theater, and seeing that Wash
ington, ID. C., was crowded With visitors and
great center OF intelligence and communi-
cation during the war, he repaired 10 the ma
tion's capital, selected site and crested
thereon what was known as Ford's Tneater
L., L...N nFa faN 80. b.. a-ur
branch OF the city council from the iith ward,
of which body he was chosen president. Tue
Hon. Thomas Swami was then mayor, aad
during his frequent absence Mr.. Ford acted
as mayor, a position which he frequently
filled for several consecutive months, and
always with marked ability.
the democratic convention OF this city for tie
mayoralty nomination, but was defeated ~
the Hon. Robert 7. Tanks, by majority OF
In 1870 Mr.. Ford vas elected to the second
branch of the city council from the ls.h and
10Th wards, by majority OF severa- hum
18th ward, by Eete OF the most fiaitering
character. In tho council he was ever among
its most usefci and prominent ,aembers,
| serving on various important committees,
| and projecting measures OF great Interest and
| moment to the public veal. He hss been also
city director Gor one term, OF tha Ralti more
| Baltimore; president of the Union railroad
| and has frequently served IN important
| enterprises Of public charity, making his
services especially valuable In the frequent
| free sxcursions given 70 tho poor during the
/ past Two or three summers.
In the spring Of 1870, he conceived the pro.
ject Of constructing an opera houss In q por-
1 ton of the city somewhat ncares the cen.e,
| Of fashion than the Holiday street, and as
| with him 20 will WAS 10 do, l,e speedily Sc
| cured Q siie, near the corner q Fayette and
| Eutaw streets, and On the fraE day or October,
1 1871, that handsorae And cOmmodious build
| ing, row known Is FordS Grand Opers
House, was thrown open to the inspection oil
| Bombaugh, Was read, fall orchestra per.
formed several appropriats airs, other for
\ NAL ceremonies were observed, aud . throng
| through the building from to II O'Clock,
/ In addition to the Holiday street aai tn