Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-15
N PAUL FORDs LIFE 5SPENT3AMONG BOOKS, N=.
HIS BROTHER MALCOLMS ON THE TRACK

Paul Leicester Ford was born In 1855. In
BROOKLYN. He was a great-grandson OF
Noah Webster on his mothers side.
Raised in an environment of books, turn
ing the more readily to them because of
weak physique, which precluded more
sturdy life while still a young man, he
lifted himself to high place in the rank
OF American novelists.
His THE Honorable Peter Sterling was
Mr. Ford's first novel to secure general
popularity. and rivaled Richard carver
in sales. Then followed THE Story of an
Untold Love- the popular Janice Mere
dith" and the True Story of George
Washington.
Mr.. Ford began his literary work at the
age of eleven. The first example was q
reprint of Webster's genealogy of his fam
lily. set up by himself, for he was even
then compositor.
Janice Meredith" was one of the big
literary successes of 1900. 1t was prefaced
by a long and familiar dedication to
George Vanderbilt. the novelist's long
time friend. and often his host at Bit
more. Dramatized, the tale won new lau-
rels for it's creator. Nearly 100000 sales is
this books record.
Mr.. Ford moved from his Brooklyn home
to bachelor quarters in Manhattan, at No.
247 Fifth avenue, in 1899. On March 81,
1900, his engagement to Miss Grace Kid
der, of Brooklyn, was announced, and on
September IL, the same year, they were
married.
The wedding was at the Kidder resi-
dence. No. lis Remsen street The Rev.
Dr. Burgess, rector of Grace Episcopal
church. read the marriage service. Worth
ington c. Ford and Miss Katherine Dryer
were the best man and maid Of honor.
The bride was one of the beauties and
favorites of the Heights set of Brooklyn
society. Tall and graceful, she presented
a striking contrast to her husband, who
was much smaller. After long wedding
trip the young couple went to live at their
new home. I'm Seventy-seventh street.
Mrs. + ord is best described in the de-
scription of Janice Meredith painted in
miniature, for which she was the model.
Malcolm Webster Ford was best known
to the public as an athlete and as wri-
ter on athletic events. Physically he was
the direct opposite of the brother whom
was an understood. dwarfish man; NAL
colin w. Ford was a magnificent specimen
Of physical manhood. He was muscle from
head to foot, without an ounce of super
fiuous flesh.
1t was when the young mans remark
able prowess as an athlete made him con-
spicuous and set athletic clubs all over
the country to bidding for him, that the
elder Ford objected. He had other ambi-
tions for his son and told him so, but Mall
colin Ford was a born athlete and refused
to stop competing in amateur athletic
events at the behest Of his father
The bitter feeling born of the young
mans refusal to give up athletics lasted
up to the death of Gordon L. Ford, and
was the reason that the millionaire cut
OF his eldest son without a cent.
In 1888 the New York Athletic club got
hold Of Ford and he competed in the
games of the club that year, winning the
100-yard race by a safe margin. Then he
turned around and won the high and
broad jumps. astonishing everybody by his
ability in all branches of athletic sport.
In 1892 Ford was married to Janet Will
helmina Graves. daughter of the late Rob-
ert Graves of Brooklyn, the wall paper
manufacturer. The wedding took place at
the brides summer home at Irvington-on-
e-Hudson. Worthington c. Ford acted
as best man and Paul Leicester Ford was
one of the ushers. Miss Graves had $780,
600 in her own right.
On March 1S 1898, Justice Wilmot NJ.
Smith granted a divorce to Mrs. Ford.
The Fords had been living at Babylon, L.