Wilson Relations: Ford Family

compiled by Steve Wilson, last updated November 25, 2015.
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Descendants

Outline

Thomas H. Ford♦ (b. c. 1844, Ireland, d. c. 1891, Louisville KY), blacksmith, 1m. --- Varley, 2m. 25 Jan. 1881 at Nashville TN to Susan McGovern (b. c. 1854, Pennsylvania, d. 4 Nov. 1907, Nashville TN)

Nora Ford♦ (ch. by 1m., b. c. 1876, Nashville TN, d. 8 Mar. 1963, Nashville), m. c. 1899 to John Gingry Vester (b. 16 Feb. 1875, Nashville TN, d. 8 Oct. 1938, Jacksonville FL)
Oney Eugene Ford♦ (ch. by 2m., b. 6 Aug. 1882, Tennessee, d. 14 Aug. 1904, Nashville TN)
Mary Ellen Ford (ch. by 2m., b. 22 Sep. 1885, Nashville TN, d. 6 Oct. 1960, Chicago IL), m. 20 Dec. 1904 at Nashville TN to John George Wilson (b. 11 Sep. 1880, Tranent, d. 29 Nov. 1958, Elmhurst IL)
Susan Ford♦ (ch. by 2m., b. 9 Oct. 1887, Tennessee, d. 1 July 1982, Nashville TN), m. 26 Oct. 1910 at Nashville TN to Lyman Carney Freeman (b. 11 Apr. 1878, Tennessee, d. 31 Dec. 1957, Nashville TN)
William John Thomas Ford♦ (ch. by 2m., b. 1 June 1890, Bardstown KY, d. 2 Aug. 1955, Houston TX), m. 27 Sep. 1911 at Nashville TN to Allie Mae Russell (b. 7 Mar. 1894, Tennessee, d. 26 Oct. 1983, Houston TX)

Russell Francis Ford (b. 24 Oct. 1912, Nashville TN, d. 10 Mar. 1994, Hawaii), m. by 1947 to Billie Mae Cross
Evelyn Marie Ford (b. 10 Dec. 1924, Houston TX, d. 5 Jan. 2007, La Grange TX), m. 11 Nov. 1942 at Houston TX to Wilbur Wright Cordes (b. 13 June 1920, Fayette Co. TX)
Louise Ruth Ford (b. 12 Mar. 1929, Houston TX, d. 30 July 1993, Houston TX), m. 2 June 1948 at Houston TX to Calvin Henry Cordes (b. 10 Aug. 1923, Fayette Co. TX, d. 29 May 1996, Houston TX)

Our Descent

Thomas H. Ford (c1844-c1891), m. 1881 to Susan McGovern (c1854-1907)

Mary Ellen Ford (1885-1960), m. 1904 to John George Wilson (1880-1958)

Andrew Conley Wilson (1925-2006), m. 1952 to Louise Alvina Schueler (1931-2005)

Documentation ♦

Nora Ford (c1876-1963): m. John Gingry Vester (1875-1938)

5 June 1880, res. 154 Knowles Street, Nashville, Thos Morgan 40 RR yard master Ireland, Bridget 50 Ireland, Jno 21 RR car coupler MA, Wm 20 RR lo fireman TN, Ellen 10 OH, Mary A 14 TN, Julia 4 TN, adopted daughter Nora Ford 4 TN [USA, 1880 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
Eloise Weil (the daughter of Nora Ford's half-sister Mary Ellen) said that Nora was adopted by an aunt named Mogan (not Morgan). Bridget Mogan was the daughter of Martin Varley and Nora Mooney.
19 Feb. 1900, Thomas Mogan Vester born 18 Feb. 1900 at home, parents John Vester, born in Nashville of German ancestry, & Nonie Vester, born in Nashville of Irish ancestry, res. 302 N. McLemore, Nashville [Tennessee, Nashville, Birth Registrations]
1 June 1900, res. 302 N McLemore St, Nashville, 7th Ward, John Vester 25 dry goods salesman TN, J Gertrude 23 Ohio, Morgan 3m TN, boarders at Ellen Paine [USA, 1900 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
2 May 1910, res. 2108 White Ave, Nashville, 22nd Ward, John G Vester 35 dry goods comm traveler TN, Nona 30 TN, Thomas 10 TN, John G Jr 8 TN, sis Jessie Graham 25 TN, niece Thelma 2 TN [USA, 1910 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
12 Sep. 1918, John Gingry Vester, age 43, solicitor at R G Dun & Co, 304½ 3rd Ave N, Nashville, born 16 Feb. 1875, res. 226 Chapel Ave, Nashville, wife Nona F Vester [USA, World War I Draft Registrations]
16 Jan. 1920, res. 1100 Sharpe Ave, Nashville, John G Vester 44 solicitor TN, Nona F 42 TN, Thomas M 19 bookkeeper TN, John G 17 receiving clerk TN [USA, 1920 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
10 Apr. 1930, res. 2014 Laurel, Knoxville, 10th Ward, John G Vester 55 motor co manager TN, Nona F 53 TN [USA, 1930 Census, Tennessee, Knox County]
1938, "John G. Vester 1875-1938" [Tennessee, Nashville, Mount Calvary Cemetery, Inscriptions]
8 Apr. 1940, res. 212 25th Ave No, Nashville, 21st Ward, Nona Vester wd 62 TN, lodger at Annie Grooms, same house in 1935 [USA, 1940 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
10 Mar. 1963, "VESTER - Friday evening, March 8, 1963, at the Holy Family Home for the Aged, Nona Ford Vester, age 87 years. Widow of the late John G. Vester. She is survived by a son, John G. Vester Jr. of Nashville; a grandson, Thomas Mogan Vester of Knoxville and five great-grandchildren. Funeral Monday morning, March 11, 1963. Requiem High Mass at the Cathedral of the Incarnation at 9 o'clock. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Anthony Davis, Tommy Davis, James P. Regan, Buford Vester, Granville Vester, John A. Dowd, Henry Vester, I.W. Carson, Paul Breen Sr., Tom Ed Murray, Frank R. Hayde, Rufus Griffin, Thomas J. Roach will serve as pallbearers. Martin's, 209 Louise ave., CY 1-0610" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville Tennessean]
1963, "Nona Ford Vester 1876-1963" [Tennessee, Nashville, Mount Calvary Cemetery, Inscriptions]

Oney Eugene Ford (1882-1904)

1897, "Ford, Oney, messenger 300 Church, h 1222 N Market ... Ford, Susan, widow Thomas, h 1226 N Market" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville City Directory]
1898, "Ford, Oney, messenger W U Tel Co, bds 1228 N Market ... Ford, Susie, widow Oney Sr, h 1228 N Market" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville City Directory]
1899, "Ford, Owen, wks 227 N Cherry, h 1116 N College ... Ford, Susie, widow Thomas, h 1116 N College" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville City Directory]
12 June 1900, res. 300 Front St, 4th Ward, Nashville, Susie Ford widow 38 work woman PA, Oney P E 16 horseshoer TN, Mary E C 12 TN, Susie 10 TN, Willie J T 6 TN [USA, 1900 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
12 Aug. 1904, "GAMBLING DEN MADE THE SCENE OF BLOODSHED, One Man Probably Fatally Wounded, Another Narrowly Escaping, NUMBER OF SHOTS FIRED, James Allen Handles Gun in Luigart's Place, Oney Ford Being His Victim, TWO VERSIONS OF THE AFFAIR, Allen Claims His Money Was Withheld, While Gamekeeper C. M. Lansdowne> Tells Another Story - Four Arrests. This morning between 12 and 1 o'clock the gambling -room over the saloon of William Luigart, on Church street, was the scene of a desperate encounter in which Oney Ford was probably fatally wounded and C.M. Lansdown got a bullet through his coat. James Allen fired three shots and says that a man unknown to him fired other shots. Allen says that the shooting followed excitement caused by the ringing of a bell, after he had won $50, and those connected with the gambling-house say that Allen started the trouble without any provocation. When the shots were fired Patrolmen Patrick and Robert Vaughn were in the Tulane, and, as they started out of the hotel, they met Allen turning the corner of Church and Spruce streets and placed him under arrest. The officers then went to the saloon, and Ford was lying on the floor with an ugly bullet wound in his side. They called the ambulance from the City Hospital, and the wounded man was taken there, where an examination showed that his wound was probably fatal. LANSDOWN ARRESTED. Lieut. Smith received notice of the trouble and immediately sent Sergt. Moore, Officers Decker, Stout, Moody and Carr to the scene in the patrol wagon. Following the news of the trouble it was learned that C.M. Lansdown was in the room at the time, and had run out and disappeared. A few moments later it was learned that Lansdown had been arrested at the Climax saloon by Patrolmen Hughes and Thomas, and had a bullet hole through the collar of his coat. Lansdown was bareheaded when taken into custody, and appeared to be terribly excited. The officers arrested Wm. Luigart, Lansdown, Allen and a negro porter. Allen was held on the charge of assault with intent to commit murder, carrying a pistol and gaming. Luigart was registered on the charges of keeping a gaming house and keeping a disorderly house. The other two men were arrested on the charge of gaming and loitering about a gaming house. LANSDOWN'S STATEMENT. After being taken into custody Lansdown stated that Allen and a very large man came to the door of the gambling room and wanted to get in, and they were told that they could not get in, as they were about ready to close. Lansdown said as the door was opened Allen began firing. As the situation seemed so dangerous, he says he ran out, and did not appear to have taken time to make any investigation as to the details of the trouble. Allen stated that he went into the gambling room, and before he had been in there fifteen minutes the shooting followed. He said the he put $50 on the table and shot the dice and won, when Lansdowne took up the money with the statement that the cashier was not there, and said "Let's go." About this time Allen says a bell rang and either Lansdowne or some other fellow said to the porter not to open the door. CLAIMS HE WAS SHOT AT. Allen says that when this was done he started to the door, thinking that a raid was being made as the cause for the ringing of the bell. Allen said the negro porter was between him and the door, and as he started to the door some one fired a shot, as though it was right in his face. He says that he fired one shot at the negro, on account of the latter not opening the door. He was fired at again and he shot two more times at the person he believed was firing at him. According to the statement of Allen the only other persons in the room at the time of the shooting were Lansdowne, the negro porter and a third man unknown to him. Allen when asked why he had gone into the gambling room stated that he was drinking. He said he did not know the man he had wounded. Allen is a machinist and is an employe of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway. He is a married man and his home is on North Spruce Street. There were several persons in front of the saloon at the time the shooting began and it was stated that two or three shots were heard, after which it seemed as though there was a fusilade. Mr. Luigart stated that he was in the front of the saloon at the time and did not know the details of the shooting. CONDITION PRECARIOUS. Oney E. Ford, the wounded man, lives at 1320 North Spruce street and is said to have been an habitue of gambling-houses and to have worked in them. At the City Hospital, to which he was removed immediately after the shooting, he was operated on by Dr. D.T. Gould and M.C. McGannon. His wound was pronounced a very dangerous one and his condition was precarious. The bullet entered Ford from the back and to the left, penetrating the abdomen just above the illeum. It ranged upward and passed almost completely through the body, lodging on the right side, just beneath the skin and on a line with the right nipple. The bowels were perforated and as a great majority of persons wounded in this manner die, Ford's chances for recovery are regarded as small. Even where the wound does not cause immediate death the perforation of the bowels allows fetid matter to enter the abdomen and blood poisoning follows. ANOTHER ARREST. W.R. Allen, a brother of James Allen, was taken into custody at 3 o'clock, but it was not known whether there would be evidence to show that he had any part in the fight. Lansdown said there was a large man with Allen. It was learned that five shots were fired in the saloon. W.R. Allen is an employe of the Tulane." [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville American]
13 Aug. 1904, "SHOOTING OF FORD, J.R. Allen, Who Handled Gun in Gambling Resort, Released on Bond of $5,000. Because of the precarious condition of Oney Ford, the young man who was shot in the gambling rooms over Luigart's saloon Thursday night, the arraignment of James Allen in the City Court on the charge of assault with intent to commit murder was postponed until next Friday. Allen was released on bond in the sum of $5,000. The physicians at the hospital say that Ford has but slight chance of recovery. There had been no serious complications up to a late hour in the afternoon. The case against W.R. Allen, the watchman at the Tulane, was also continued, the charge against him being changed to assault with a pistol. C.M. Lansdown, who appears to have been running the game, stated that W.R. Allen participated in the shooting, which the latter denies, but declines to make any further statement regarding the trouble. James Allen admits having fired three shots, but it is not known who fired the other shots, it being said by some that the number was five. William Luigart was fined $50 on the charge of keeping a gaming house, and the case was appealed to the Circuit Court. The charge of keeping a disorderly house was dismissed. C.M. Lansdown admitted that he was gaming and submitted his case. A fine of $50 was assessed against him." [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville American]
14 Aug. 1904, "ONEY FORD SINKING, No Chance for Recovery of Young Man Shot in Gambling House Affray. Oney Ford, the young man who was shot in the affray at William Luigart's saloon early Friday morning, was gradually growing worse Saturday night, and it was not thought by the physicians at the City Hospital that he had any chance of recovery. If he continues to fail as rapidly as he did Saturday night the end, it is not thought, is more than twenty four hours away." [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville American]
14 Aug. 1904, Oney Ford, died 14 Aug. 1904 at City Hospital, 13th Ward, of septic peritonitis, due to gunshot wound of abdomen at 727 Church St, 3 days, single, clerk, born 6 Aug. 1882, in Tennessee, resided at 1320 N Spruce St, parents Thos Ford born in Tennessee, & Susie McGovern born in Pennsylvania, informant John McGovern of 705 N College St, buried 15 Aug. 1904 at Mt Calvary [Tennessee, Nashville, Death Registrations]
15 Aug. 1904, "DIED ... FORD - Sunday at 6:45 a.m., Aug. 14, 1904, Oney Ford, aged 22 years. Funeral from the residence, No. 1320 North Spruce street, this (Monday) afternoon at 2:45 o'clock, Aug. 15, 1904. Services at the Church of the Assumption at 3 o'clock. Interment at Mt. Calvary. The following gentlemen are requested to serve as pall-bearers: John Wilson, John Lassiter, John Marks, Chas. Darrow, Will Thrower, T.C. Patton. Carriages from Wiles & Karsch's." [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville American]
15 Aug. 1904, "ONEY FORD SUCCUMBS, VICTIM OF GAMBLING HOUSE AFFRAY DIES OF WOUND, WAS WARNED BY MOTHER, Evening Before Tragedy Promised to Cease Working at Such Resorts - Home is Sadly Stricken - James and William Allen Are Re-Arrested. After lingering forty-eight hours Oney E. Ford, who was shot in the affray in the gambling-room over William Luigart's saloon early Friday morning, died at the City Hospital Sunday morning between 6 and 7 o'clock. Ford had been steadily growing worse since he was shot, and from the beginning the physicians stated that the chance of his recovery was slim. Ford was conscious a large part of the time, and did not give up hope until Saturday night, when he said that he did not think he could get well. While on his deathbed he had talked to his mother and other relatives. He asked if the man who shot him had been arrested, and said that he was innocent of any part in the affray. He said that he had not had a word with the man who shot him. Ford was a son of the late Thomas H. Ford, who died thirteen years ago, and was 22 years old. He lived with his widowed mother, Mrs. Susan Ford, at 1320 North Spruce street, and has two sisters and a brother, the last three being 18, 16 and 14 years old. Since the death of his father he has been the head of the family, and in his love of home and kindness to his mother and sisters and brothers he is said to have been exemplary. It is said by those who knew him that he gave all of his earnings for their support. The young man was idolized at his home, and the grief of the stricken ones is severe. MOTHER FEARED MISFORTUNE. For some time, it is said, that the young man had been an employe of the gambling house, and on this account his mother had feared some great misfortune. When he bade her goodbye on the evening before the fatal affray she had warned him to stay away from saloons, stating to him that he was too good to frequent such places. "Son, don't go up there any more," Mrs. Ford said she told the boy when he left home after supper Thursday evening. "Well, mamma, I'll never work in the saloon another day," she says was his reply. The young man failed to heed the warning given by his mother, and his smiling face was never again seen at the home. He was taken back Sunday in a casket. The funeral will take place this afternoon from the residence, with services at 3 o'clock at the Church of the Assumption, the deceased having been a member of the Catholic Church. The interment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. BROTHERS REARRESTED. After the death of young Ford his uncle, John McGovern, went before Justice Jake Levine and swore out a warrant against James R. Allen, charging him with murder, and another warrant against William R. Allen charging him with being an accessory to the murder. The two men were arrested by Deputy Sheriffs Jones and Kiger and were committed to jail by Justice Levine. The preliminary arraignment of the accused will take place this afternoon at 3 o'clock. J.R. Allen, who is accused of firing the fatal shot, is a machinist in the employ of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis railway. William R. Allen has been for several years watchman at the Tulane, and is a brother of the alleged slayer. The two brothers have the reputation of being quiet and peaceable men, but are regarded as dangerous men if pressed into a difficulty. W.R. Allen is implicated by the statement of C.M. Lansdown, who claims that Allen fired at him, putting a bullet through his coat collar." [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville American]
16 Aug. 1904, "TRIAL IS POSTPONED, James and William Allen Will Be Given Preliminary Hearing This Afternoon. The preliminary trial of James Allen, under arrest on the charge of the murder of Oney Ford, who was shot in the gambling rooms over Luigart's saloon, and his brother W.R. Allen, on the charge of being an accessory, which was to have taken place before Justice Levine Monday afternoon, was continued until 3 o'clock this afternoon. The funeral of Ford occurred Monday afternoon, and some of the important witnesses were at the funeral. Another warrant was issued Monday against W.R. Allen, charging him with assault with intent to commit murder, the affadavit being made by C.M. Lansdown. Lansdown charges that Allen shot at him as he was running down the stairway after the affray started in the gambling room." [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville American]
17 Aug. 1904, "PRELIMINARY TRIAL CONTINUED. The preliminary trial of James and William Allen, who are held in connection with the killing of Oney Ford in the gambling room over Luigart's saloon, was again continued Tuesday on the application of the attorneys for the defendants. The case is set for hearing before Justice Levine this afternoon at 3 o'clock. The defendants are represented by Gen. Robert Vaughn and T.C. Mulligan" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville American]
18 Aug. 1904, "HELD WITHOUT BAIL, JAMES AND WM. ALLEN COMMITTED BY JUSTICE LEVINE. PRELIMINARY TRIAL OCCURS, Evidence Regarding Tragedy in Gambling Room Over Luigart's Saloon Damaging to Accused - Dying Declaration of Oney Ford Introduced. After hearing the most important evidence of the prosecution in the case of James R. Allen, charged with the murder of Oney Ford, and William Allen, charged with being an accessory to the alleged murder, Justice Jake Levine ordered the accused committed to jail without bail Wednesday. Ford was fatally wounded in the gambling room over William Luigart's saloon last Friday morning, between 12 and 1 o'clock. The dying declaration of Ford and the testimony of William Luigart and C.M. Lansdown formed the evidence on which the defendants were held. The most damaging evidence is the dying declaration of young Ford, the victim of the tragedy, who said after describing his movements that the man put one arm around him, and with the other hand put his pistol against his side and shot him. The preliminary trial began at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the prosecution being represented by Attorneys Cherry, Ashcraft and Steger, and the defendants being represented by Judge Anderson, Gen. Vaughn and T.C. Mulligan. The courtroom was packed, and at times the sidewalk in front was blockaded by those eager to hear the evidence. The widowed mother of the deceased and relatives of the accused were present. Mrs. Ford wept bitterly during the trial. The large crowd made the small court-room intensely unpleasant on account of the heat. KEEPER OF GAME TESTIFIES. C.M. Lansdown, who admits that he was running the gambling room, was the first witness placed on the stand. The witness said James Allen came into the gambling room between 11:30 and 12 o'clock Thursday night. Ford and the colored porter were in the room, the former being an attache, and being what is called a "booster." Witness said Allen lost $54.25 and left the gambling room, returning in fifteen or twenty minutes, when he was told that the rooms were closed. Lansdown said J.R. Allen pulled his revolver, and he, seeing that there was going to be trouble, started out in a hurry. Three shots were fired while witness was getting downstairs, and one shot as he was near the bottom. Witness said W.R. Allen fired at him as he was going down the stairs. On cross-examination witness stated that as he started down the stairs W.R. Allen was standing at the door holding Ford with one hand, and with his revolver in the other hand. Witness said he threw up his coat, and just then a shot was fired. Witness saw W.R. Allen raise his revolver, but did not see him fire. A bullet passed through the collar of witness' coat. Witness was about three feet from Allen when the shot was fired. SECURED DYING STATEMENT. Deputy Sheriff G.S. Kiger was the next witness placed on the stand. Following instructions of the Attorney General, the Deputy Sheriff had gone to the City Hospital and secured the dying statement of Oney Ford. The officer had also made a careful investigation of the gambling room, and the marks made in the walls by bullets. Three bullets were exhibited, including the one which had been taken from Ford's body. The officer was of the opinion that they were 38-caliber bullets. Justice Jake Levine accompanied the officer and wrote the dying statement of Ford, which was as follows: "Last night at about 10 o'clock the man came in the place where I was working, at Luigart's gambling place. He was gambling with us, and he lost $55, and we gave him back $5. He took the $5 and went downstairs, and he was drinking when he came back, and he wanted to gamble some more, but we told him the place was closed. The man stood there like he was waiting for some one. When he heard the door bell ring he pulled out his pistol and said, 'Do you see that?' and shot at 'Squissicks' Lansdown. "As soon as I saw the gun I ran over to the door. Just as I opened the door I was met by a heavy-set man, and he grabbed me, and threw me back in the room. Then I ran toward the rear, and without saying a word to him, the man in the rear put one arm around me, and with the other hand put his pistol against my side and shot me. I said to him, 'My God, you killed me,' and then he turned me loose and went toward the front of the house, and I looked back to see if he would shoot again. "I staggered down the back steps, and then I met Mr. Luigart and told him I was shot, and they laid me on the floor and called for a patrol wagon." The deceased said there was no one in the room except the man, Lansdown, the porter and himself, and makes affadavit that the statement is true, and that he realized that he was about to die and would soon be in the presence of his Creator. The statement was witnessed by the officer and two physicians at the hospital. WILLIAM LUIGART ON STAND. William Luigart was the last witness called by the prosecution. At the time the shots were fired witness was in the rear of the bar-room. Had seen the defendant, James Allen, going upstairs between 11:30 and 12 o'clock, and he remained fifteen or twenty minutes. The witness saw William Allen go up the stairway two or three minutes after James went up the second time. The witness could not state positively how many shots were fired, but thought the number was four. When the shooting began witness ran to the stairway and saw Lansdown and the porter descending hurriedly. As witness reached the stairway he saw the flash of a gun. Witness said that Ford came down the rear stairway, and he caught him and laid him down on the floor. The wounded man was holding his hands over the lower part of his body. The back of his shirt had been burned, and was smoking when he came down. The witness called the patrol wagon, and did not see Ford any more until after his death. On cross-examination, the witness said that he saw J.R. Allen come down the stairway with his pistol in his hands. This closed the evidence for the prosecution. Patrolmen Patrick and Robert vaughn, the officers who arrested J.R. and William Allen, were the only witnesses introduced by the defense. They told of the arrests. W.R. Allen is night watchman at the Tulane, and was arrested at the hotel about two hours after the tragedy. At the time of his arrest W.R. Allen carried a 44-caliber Colt revolver, which had evidently not been fired for some time. Sergt. Moore was with the officers at the time, and all were certain that the weapon had not been fired. ATTORNEYS ARGUE CASE. W.C. Cherry, in behalf of the prosecution, stated that he did not see how the State could consent to bail. The attorney was of the opinion that the evidence showed all of the elements of murder in the first degree, and the fact that W.R. Allen had a revolver two hours later that had not been fired was of no great importance. The attorney said there was not one word to show any excuse for killing Ford, and from the time the first pistol shot flashed everybody in the gambling room had been liked scared rabbits. When asked by the attorney for the defense as to the theory of the prosecution regarding who fired the fatal shot, basing the opinion on the statement of Ford, Mr. Cherry said that he thought James Allen fired the shot. Gen. Vaughn made a short argument, pointing out that there was no premeditation, and assuming that if it was true that the anger of the men ahd been aroused, and they went into the room shooting promiscuously, it could not be more than murder in the second degree. It occurred to Gen. Vaughn that the affray had been brought on by a sudden provocation, and he thought that a good solvent bond to assure the appearance of the defendants at the next term of the Criminal Court would be sufficient to meet the ends of justice. E.S. Ashcraft, in behalf of the prosecution, was of the opinion that the evidence showed a case of murder in the first degree, and that the defendants should be held without bond. Judge Anderson closed the argument, stating that it was unjust to punish two citizens, one a night watchman and the other a railroad employe, because of a killing in a house devoted to the daily, flagrant and open violation of the law, before their guilt or innocence had been determined. Judge Anderson thought it was a remarkable conspiracy which the prosecution undertook to show. Would two brothers who had formed a conspiracy go into a place one at a time, where all of the odds were against them? Judge Anderson referred to what had happened, the ringing of the bell and the subsequent confusion, and to Ford being killed in the melee. After hearing the argument Justice Levine stated that he would transfer the cases to the grand jury for investigation, and the defendants were ordered held without bail." [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville American]

Susan Ford (1887-1982): m. Lyman Carney Freeman (1878-1957)

12 June 1900, res. 300 Front St, 4th Ward, Nashville, Susie Ford widow 38 work woman PA, Oney P E 16 horseshoer TN, Mary E C 12 TN, Susie 10 TN, Willie J T 6 TN [USA, 1900 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
28 Apr. 1910, res. 719 Hume St, Nashville, 1st Ward, Katie Cook 19 bag factory inspector TN, [cousin] Susie Ford 22 bag factory machine operator TN [USA, 1910 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
10 Jan. 1920, res. 300 Sylvan St, Nashville, 17th Ward, Lyman C Freeman 41 deputy sheriff TN, Susie 31 TN, Lyman Jr 7 TN, Luther Warren 5 TN, Oney E 3y6m TN [USA, 1920 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
8 Apr. 1930, res. 300 Sylvan, Nashville, 17th Ward, Layman C Freeman 52 watchman TN, Susie 42 TN, Lyman C Jr 18 shoe factory cutter TN, Warren L 16 TN, Oney E 14 TN, Leonard 8 TN [USA, 1930 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
8 Apr. 1940, res. 300 Sylvan, Nashville, 17th Ward, Lyman C Freeman 61 custodian TN, Susie 52 TN, Warren 25 stock boy TN, Oney 23 truck driver TN, dauL Jessie R 22 machine operator TN, Leonard M 18 TN auto work shop helper TN, same house in 1935 (same place for Jessie) [USA, 1940 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
1 July 1982, Susie Ford Freeman, died 1 July 1982 at Belmont Health Care Center, of arteriosclerotic heart disease, widow, born 9 Oct. 1887 in Tennessee, parents unknown, residence Ridge Road, Joelton, buried 3 July 1982 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville, informant Lyman C Freeman Jr. of Ridge Road, Joelton [Tennessee, Death Registrations]
2 July 1982, "Freeman, Mrs. Susie Ford - July 1, 1982. Survived by sons Lyman C. Freeman, Jr., Joelton, Tn.; Luther Warren Freeman, Nashville, Oney E. Freeman, Nashville, Leonard M. Freeman, St. Petersburg, Fl.; eleven grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren. Remains are at the Broadway Chapel, 1715 Broadway, where services will be conducted Saturday morning at 10 o'clock with Dr. Joe Frazer officiating. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends will serve as Pallbearers. ROESCH PATTON DORRIS & CHARLTON, Broadway Chapel, 1715 Broadway. 244-6480" [Tennessee, Nashville, The Tennessean]
1982, "Freeman, Susie F., Oct. 9, 1887, July 1, 1982, Lyman C., Apr. 11, 1878, Dec. 31, 1957" [Tennessee, Nashville, Woodlawn Cemetery, Inscriptions]

Thomas H. Ford (c1844-c1891): 1m. --- Varley, 2m. Susan McGovern (c1854-1907)

1872, "Ford, Thomas, blacksmith, bds 85 11th, nr Market" [Kentucky, Louisville, Caron's Directory for the City of Louisville]
1876, "Ford, Thomas, blacksmith, h 55 Knowles" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville & Edgefield Directory]
1877, "Ford, Thomas, horseshoer, wks 118 N Cherry, h 55 Knowles ... Morgan, Thomas, yardmaster NC&StLRR, h 55 Knowles" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville & Edgefield Directory]
5 June 1880, res. 353 Main St, Louisville, Thomas Ford widower 36 blacksmith Ireland, boarder at Wm Gillespie [USA, 1880 Census, Kentucky, Jefferson County]
1881, "Ford, Thomas, blacksmith, bds 353 Main, cor Shelby" [Kentucky, Louisville, Caron's Directory for the City of Louisville]
1881, "Ford, Thomas, blacksmith, wks 9 S College, bds 369 Church" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville Directory]
25 Jan. 1881, Thomas Ford & Susan McGovern, license issued 21 Jan., married 25 Jan. 1881 [Tennessee, Davidson County Marriages]
1883, "Ford, Thomas, blacksmith, r 318 E. Main" [Kentucky, Louisville, Caron's Directory for the City of Louisville]
1884, "Ford, Thomas, blacksmith, wks L&N RR, h 325 Treutlan" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville Directory]
1885, "Ford, Thomas, horseshoer, wks 9 S College, h 162 Gay" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville Directory]
4 Oct. 1885, "Mary Ellen Ford, child of Thomas Ford and Susie McGovern, born Nashville, Tenn. Sept. 22, 1885, baptized Oct. 4, 1885, According to the Rite of the Roman Catholic Church by the Rev. Aloysius Malin, the sponsors being John Currin" [Tennessee, Nashville, Church of the Assumption, Baptismal Certificate]
1886, "Ford, Thomas, wks 9 S College, h district 13" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville City Directory]
1888, "Ford, Thomas, horseshoer, wks 193 N College, h 119 Capitol av." [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville City Directory]
1890, "Ford, Thomas, horseshoer J.D. Pulford, r 1829 Grayson ... Pulford, Joseph D., horseshoer, 430 5th, r 726 6th" [Kentucky, Louisville, Caron's Directory for the City of Louisville]
1891, "Ford, Thomas, horseshoer, r 207 11th" [Kentucky, Louisville, Caron's Directory for the City of Louisville]
1892, "Ford, Susan, domestic 1515 W Broadway" [Kentucky, Louisville, Caron's Directory for the City of Louisville]
1894, "Ford, Susan, dressmkr, 603 Brook" [Kentucky, Louisville, Caron's Directory for the City of Louisville]
1896, "Ford, Annie, seamstress, b 738 4th, ... Ford, Susan, seamstress Annie Ford" [Kentucky, Louisville, Caron's Directory for the City of Louisville]
1897, "Ford, Susie, scraper, b 1819 9th" [Kentucky, Louisville, Caron's Directory for the City of Louisville]
1897, "Ford, Oney, messenger 300 Church, h 1222 N Market ... Ford, Susan, widow Thomas, h 1226 N Market" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville City Directory]
1898, "Ford Oney, messenger W U Tel Co, bds 1228 N Market ... Ford, Susie, widow Oney Sr, h 1228 N Market" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville City Directory]
1899, "Ford Owen, wks 227 N Cherry, h 1116 N College ... Ford, Susie, widow Thomas, h 1116 N College" [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville City Directory]
12 June 1900, res. 300 Front St, 4th Ward, Nashville, Susie Ford widow 38 work woman PA, Oney P E 16 horseshoer TN, Mary E C 12 TN, Susie 10 TN, Willie J T 6 TN [USA, 1900 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
4 Nov. 1907, Susan Ford, died 4 Nov. 1907 at 1115 10 Ave. North, 2nd Ward, of uterine cancer, widow, housekeeper, born 13 Dec. 1864 in Pennsylvania, parents Thos McGoveran & Elen Roundtree, both born in Ireland, informant Mrs. J G Wilson of 1706 Arthur Ave., buried 7 Nov. 1907 at Mt. Olivet [Tennessee, Nashville, Death Registrations]
5 Nov. 1907, "DIED. Ford - Tuesday morning, November 4, 1907, at 5:14 o'clock, at the residence, No. 1115 Tenth Avenue, North, Mrs. Susan Ford, age 42 years. Funeral from the residence (Thursday) afternoon, November 7, at 1:30 o'clock. Services at Christ Church at 2 o'clock. Services conducted by Rev. J. Lightburn. Interment at Mt. Olivet. Carriages from Dorris, Karsch & Co." [Tennessee, Nashville, Nashville Banner]
1907, Susan Ford, single grave 3, row 2, lot 181 [Tennessee, Nashville, Mount Olivet Cemetery, Records]
2 Aug. 1955, William John Thomas Ford, died 2 Aug. 1955 at St. Luke's Hospital in Houston, of atherosclerosis, accountant at an oil company, married, born 1 June 1890 at Bargetown, Kentucky, parents John Ford & Susan McGovern, residence 3388 Tampa, Houston, informant Mrs. Allie Mae Ford of 3388 Tamp, Houston, buried 4 Aug. 1955 at Forest Park Cemetery in Houston [Texas, Death Registrations]
6 Oct. 1960, Mary Wilson, died at Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital, Chicago, of probable myocardial infarction due to chronic pyelonephritis, age 75, widow, residence 217 S. Villa, Elmhurst, born Sept. 2, 1885 at Nashville, Tennessee, parents Thomas Ford and Susan McGovern, informant Eloise Jessie Weil of 659 Park Ave. West, Highland Park, Illinois, buried 8 Oct. 1960 at Acacia Park Cemetery [Illinois, Death Registrations]

William John Thomas Ford (1890-1955): m. Allie Mae Russell (1894-1983)

12 June 1900, res. 300 Front St, 4th Ward, Nashville, Susie Ford widow 38 work woman PA, Oney P E 16 horseshoer TN, Mary E C 12 TN, Susie 10 TN, Willie J T 6 TN [USA, 1900 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
15 June 1900, res. St. Thomas Orphan Asylum, Bardstown, Willie Ford, white male age 10 single [USA, 1900 Census, Kentucky, Nelson County]
17 Apr. 1910, res. 1120 Demonbreun St, Nashville, John McGovern 50 switchman PA, Dovie 35 NC, Ellen 3 TN, nephew Willie Ford 19 wood worker KY [USA, 1910 Census, Tennessee, Davidson County]
7 Jan. 1920, res. 1125 Rutland St, Houston, 7th Ward, William J T Ford 29 insurance agent KY, Allie Mae 25 TN, Russel 7 TN [USA, 1920 Census, Texas, Harris County]
5 Apr. 1930, res. 1525 Oxford St, Houston, William J T Ford 39 petroleum clerk KY, Allie Mae 36 TN, Francis R 17 TN, Evelyn J 5 TX, Louise R 1 TX, father-in-law Leon D Russell wd 80 TN [USA, 1930 Census, Texas, Harris County]
27 Apr. 1940, res. 2729 Arbuckle, West University Place, William J T Ford 49 oil production accountant KY, Allie M 46 TN, Russel F 27 oil well machinist TN, Evelyn M 15 TX, Louise R 11 TX, lodger Joseph J Bell 38 supervisor IL, lodger Leola M 42 IL, in Houston in 1935 (except lodgers, who were in Chicago IL) [USA, 1940 Census, Texas, Harris County]
1983, "Allie Mae Russell Ford, Mar. 7, 1894, Oct. 26, 1983, Wm. John Thomas Ford, June 1, 1890, Aug. 2, 1955" [Texas, Houston, Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, Inscriptions]
12 Jan. 2007, Evelyn Ford Cordes, 82, died on Jan. 5, 2007 in La Grange. Born Dec. 10, 1924 in Houston, daughter of William Ford and Allie Mae Russel, married to W.W. (Bill) Cordes on 11 Nov. 1942 in Houston. Cordes has lived in Fayetteville since 1975, and was a wife and mother. She was a member of an Episcopal church and a member of Eastern Star. She was an office and director of Lawn Meadows Country Club in Houston, that she and her husband owned from 1962-1974. Survivors include her husband, daughter Ruth Russelle Heard and her husband Dow; and grandchild Bowen Cordes Hunter. Preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services Jan. 7 at Koenig Strickland Funeral Home, La Grange. [Texas, La Grange, Fayette County Record]