H. CHARLES FORD. The record of H. Charles Ford is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts has worked his way from a modest beginning to a place of influence in his community. His life has been characterized by unceasing industry, and he has so ordered his actions as to gain the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens. He was born in Sandusky, Ohio, on the 10th of October, 1869, the son of William and Elizabeth (Harrison) Ford. He is of English ancestry, his father having been born in that country, January 22, 1830, and came to this country prior to the Civil war. He enlisted in defense of his adopted country, serving loyally throughout that great conflict He was a farmer during the major portion of his life here and did some teaming. He was a republican in his political allegiance and an official member of the Lutheran church. He died at Braddock, Pennsylvania, January 7, 1908, and his wife, who was born in England, November 15 1835, passed away at Braddock, August 26, 1897.
H. Charles Ford attended the public schools at Braddock, but is largely self-educated, he having early formed the habit of close and studious reading, by which means he has become a remarkably well informed man on a wide range of subjects. On leaving school he entered the office of the Braddock Sun as a printer's "devil", and followed the printing trade about four years. He then went to work in the railroad yard of the Carnegie Steel Company, and afterward was employed in the shops of the Edgar Thomson Steel Works at Braddock. Later he was transferred to the yards, where he worked on the shifting engines until 1898. He was then associated with the Homestead Steel Works, Homestead, Pennsylvania, as foreman of yard engines. In 1900 he built a home and moved his family to Munhall, Allegheny county, and remained there until 1905, when he removed to Donora While in Munhall, Mr. Ford was a member of the school board. He came to Donora as master mechanic for the Donora Southern Railroad, owned by the American Steel and Wire Company, remaining in that position until 1912, when he resigned and went into business for himself, being engaged in the transfer business from 1912 to 1917. In the latter year he was elected justice of the peace and was reelected in 1923, being the present incumbent of that office. A man of sound judgment, cool headed and mature in his opinions and well grounded in the principles of the law, he is eminently qualified for this position, which he is filling with honor to himself and the approval of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Ford is a member and elder of the Presbyterian church, while, fraternally, he is a member of Donora Lodge, No. 626, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Pittsburgh Consistory of the Scottish Rite; and Syria Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a stanch supporter of the republican party and is an earnest advocate of clean politics. He is a close personal friend and great admirer of Governor Pinchot. He has taken a deep interest in local public affairs, having served a number of years as a member of the board of health, two years of that time as its president. During the World war he was a member of the home defense. police and took an active interest in that organization.
On June 25, 1896, at Braddock, Pennsylvania, Mr. Ford was married to Miss Elizabeth Douglas, who was born December 10, 1870, the daughter of William and Grace (Kirk) Douglas. Her father, who was a native of Scotland, died as the result of a mine accident in 1875, at Muirkirk, Scotland. He was a member of the Presbyterian Free church of Scotland. His wife, who also was a native of Scotland, died there in 1880. Mrs. Ford was educated in the public schools of Braddock. She is a member of the Presbyterian church and is vice president of the Ladies Aid Society of that organization. She is also a member of the Order of the Eastern. Star and gives her political support to the republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Ford are the parents of five children, namely Grace Elizabeth, born August 21, 1897, is the wife of Scott Johnston, foreman of the zinc furnace in the zinc works at Donora, and they have a daughter, Marjorie. George Edwin, born October 23, 1899, died September 12, 1923. He was married to Louise Donaldson, of Webster, who survives him, and to them were born two children, Ruth Elizabeth and Lois Ann. Howard William, who was born September 22, 1902, and is in the employ of the American Steel and Wire Company, married Miss Nannie Lambie, of Webster. Dorothy, born October 23, 1905, died in the same month. Harrison Charles, born August 13, 1907, is an apprenticed carpenter at the Homestead Steel Works. Mr. Ford is a man of fine character, marked individuality and pleasing personality, and during the years of his residence in Donora he has risen in the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, who have recognized and appreciated his genuine worth as a man.