Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-15
JOHN T. FORD DEAD.
THE VETERAN THEATRICAL MANAGER
PASSED AWAY IN BALTIMORE.
nection with the Old Marshali-hs
Married In Hanoyer-fiis Family.

sketch Of His Interesting Life-His Con-
nection with the Old Mnrshaii-Hs
Married In Hanover-fiis Family.
The death In Baltimore at o'clock
yesterday morning OF Mr.. John T. Ford,
the veteran theatrical manager, caused
as much surprise and regret here as
did In the Monumental City, or In the
national capital. In these three places
he has lived most Of his life. The emo
of this remarkable and widely known gen
tleman was brought about by heart us
case. superinduced by the grip.
AZ very old Richmond friend OF Mr.
Ford recalls remark of that gentleman
he was born in Towsontown, Ma
vicinage adjacent 20 Baltimore, siXty-hVe
years ago. He early learned the trade
OF shoemaker from his father. VINO car
| ried on an establishment In the h'er
city. About 1873 he moved TO Richmohh'
, and opened a small retail store, on the
youth side Of Broad street between
Sixth and Seventh. The business after
year or two proved to be unsuccessful
and he was forced TO make an assign
ment Having a bright and active nina,
he soon after engaged in the periodical ana
| newspaper business in conjunction WIN
! Matthew G.. Gentry. father OF the late
James A. Gentry. At this time the New
I York Ledger circulated over $500 copies
in Richmond.
WENT INTO MINSTREISf.
After being in the periodical business
| about a year there appeared AT 'he
| Marshall Theatre troupe OF minstreis
called Kunkers Nightingale serenaders'
Mr.. Kunkel. being a resident of Baltl-
more and n friend OF Mr.. Ford. bargain
WAS soon struck between them whereby
Jr Ford became the business and ac-
/ tual manager Of the minstrel assrega-
! ton. His aptitude with the pen ana
ready knowledge Of men and things maze
him valuable and leading acquisition
/ TO this troupe, which embraced many
men still pleasantly remembered by the
"old timers" Of this community.
LEASED THE OLD MARSHALL.
From minstrelsy, Kunkel. Monkey. his
mariner. and Mr.. Ford branched of into
thcatricals, as managers and lessees'
They occupied theatres in Washington
J the Holidav-Strert Theatre In Baltimore
and the old Marshall Theatre IN thiS
city. In Richmond Mr.. ford hhd Ut va
Yious times with him Joseph Jefferson as
/ stage -manager, and as actors '1r" 10
! Adams. L. r.. Shewell George c. Bohl-
face. ID. H. Harkns the Misses Muz~y'
Mrs !. Il. Phillips and many otheI9'
Caroline Richings and scores OF other
oouallv weu-known song-birds appeared
under his auspices at the old Marshall
Miss Richings for the first ime' Aihon6
the favorite young actors VINO piayeu
here under the management OF MI. foiu
inst prior TO the war was Johh " HheS
/ Rooth. Stella Boniface. now leadlhs
/ actress. and daughter OF George {. bonn
! face. was born in this city whiie heI
I father was at the Old Marshall WIN oii1
/ of the celebrated stock companies winch
/ was filling an engagement there uhuer
Ford. ,,.o,rt
HIS PERSONAL WORTH
Mr. Ford was a genial and affable com
! panion and a well-nforned man. ne "o'
| The RECONCILIATION Of Kindness 10 thoS'
| I'm need. He had done an immense '.n'ouI'
! OF good among the fraternity as Wen do
his friends during his lie lie met every
/
smile. He married his wife in Hanover
| she was Miss Jennie Andrews. relatives
! ~ whom stil reside I'm that county. MT
! yrord was specially blessed in his domes-
| tic relations. having a loving ana can"iul
beInmeet. Mrs. Ford was really an honor
! ia virginia womanhoOd MI. ana Mrs
| Ford reared large family OF chhdren'
| all of whom have reflected credit on their
parents Their eldest girl Anne as
| plaved unusual brightness and viVaclty'
| and was "A remarkable scholar despite her
| youthfulness. She had written several
| minor plavs and novels. married young TO
| a prominent Baltimore lawyer, and. 70 the
| regret OF her host OF friends, passed
| away in less than a year. one Of the
sons married Miss Blanche Chapman, an
| aforetime popular little favOrta in this
city. During n managerial career Of over
forty years. Mr.. Ford successfully dealt
with every sort and description Of stage
| talent
| WHERE LINCOLN WAS KILLED.
| Mr.. Ford was in point Of service the
| oldest theatrical manager IN this coun-
| try. having been known in that capacity
| as early as ISL
lie was brought into national promi-
| hence in $50. wnen the manager OF Ford's
| Theatre, Washington, where President
| Lincoln was assassinated. This theatre
was closed by order of the government
| shortly after but as long as American
| history shall last Mr.. Ford's name Will
| have a place in that history as the owner
| OF the theatre IN which the tragedy &C.
| CURED.
In 1873 John 7. Ford secured the lease
! Of the Broad-Street Theatre in Philadel-
| phia. and Immediately brought IL up from
| state Of wreck TO a most successful
| property. and he also for time had tn
| Fifth-Ayenue Theatre in New York.
MIR. FORD'S FAMILY.
The deceased leaves a widow and ten
| children-Charles T., the present mana
ger of Ford's Opera-House: George s..
the treasurer; John T.. Jr.. the adver-
| Using agent; Harry NJ. Mrs. James G.
| Richardson. and the Misses Martha f..
| the talented actress, Lizzie T., May, Lucy
| and Sadie.
| II Is perhaps unfortunate for the thea
| trical profession that he was taken away
| Just at this time. because he was engaged
| In arranging for a grand Shakespear ean
| revival by 4 company headed by Creston
| Clarke and his own daughter Miss Martha
| Ford. He had watched the education OF
| this daughter with the greatest OF care
| and the talent that she had exhibited
| caused him TO hope that she would fill the
| place in the theatrical world as a de-
| lineator OF Shakespearean heroines that has
| not been nlled since the retirement OF
| Mary Anderson.