The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-31
DEATH OF E. L. FORD.

Died at Mllledgeville, tayette Co,
Ohio, July 9th., ELIAB L. FORD. in the
seventy eighth year OF his life.
In the death of this honorable man
Ohio has lost one of it's best citizens,
and the community where he had lived
for over fifty years, it's noblest helper
and best friend. He came of the best
type of New England ancestry; was the
son of James and Lucy Nathami Ford
and was born in Cumberland Co..
Maine, September 20, 1919. He was in
the schools and academies of his native
county, till he was fourteen years OF
age, and the age of sixteen years found
him engaged in teaching, which calling
he continued in Pennsylvania and Mont
gomery, Ohio. till 1S43 when he married
Martha Snider, of Montgomery, June
4th, of shat year. He engaged in mer-
camille business for two years at Sharon
vile, o., after which he removed to
Milledgeville. or South Plymouth, where
he spent the balance of his years devot-
ing himself to trade and agriculture.
By his industry he had accumulated
liberal fortune of this worlds goods, and
by his genial and rugged character he
had won the highest honor and esteem
in the hearts of his neighbors far and
near. He was a Universalist both in
faith and practice. He believed in the
Eofh - ko
hood OF man, and in these two avenues
his life went out in reverent and help
full service. He was the friend of all
classes of people. He was "liberal." not
only 10 his faith, but in his deeds. Up
to within few years ago there was
scarce church in his county that he
had not helped. In returning from his
house to the station after the funeral
l passed two churches that stood on
land he had donated for them-the one
Methodist Protestant and the other a
Methodist Episcopal. He was willing
to aid any good cause. His religion was
not sectarianism but helpfulnese. He
was liberal patron of Buchtel College.
and two of his sons were educated in
that institution. He had the least
patience of all with idle people. He be-
lieved in industry, directed and con-
trolled by intelligence and honesty. A
promise made by him was already full
filled; an obligation assumed was al
ready executed in the confidence of the
people. He had organized his life on
high grounds and he knew no other law
than that of straight forward honesty.
He combined rare tenderness of SYM
pathy with the ruggedest sense of right
doing. No dumb brute could be al
lowed to suffer about him. His sym.
pathy went out to the life around him.
There was no Universalist church in
his immediate vicinity and 80 he helped
the Methodist society whose church
edifce stood directly across the street
home. He was the heaviest contributor
to its support. gave the land and helped
to build 1.-THE meeting house." though
everybody knew him to be stauuch
Universalist
He seemed to think, and he thought
truly in that, that every church that
makes the people better contributes just
SO much to his faith in the universal
better, just 30 much gift on the altar
of Universalism. He did not believe
that the people are all to be saved by
one particular way and one only. Every
thing that helps the world helps to
"save" it. And 80 his hands and heart
were busy in doing good.
He himself was stronger argument
for Universalism than any preacher can
make in pulpit. His character was an
argument for his faith that could not
be reasoned down, and no good man
would wish to undertake it.
His funeral was attended by very
large concourse of people. The church
congregation was small compared with
those who could not gain admission.
The Knights Templar. of Washington
Court House, chartered special train
which was filled with Masons and other
friends. while from far and near people
came in carriages. vast throng. The
Impressive ceremonies of the Knights
followed the sermon and when the last
sad rites were concluded the people
seemed reluctant to leave the grave. All
felt that just and honorable man had
left them. In his life he had blessed
the people and in his death they seemed
bending down as for his benediction.
He leaves the wife, who for fifty years
had been his loyal companion, and
quick and ready sympathizer in all his
good life and faith. and three daughters
and four sons who constituted one of
the happiest groups of domestic life.
They shared his faith and with just
pride they honor his memory.
E. L. RExFoRD.