Ford, George Washington
G. W. (UNCLE WASH) FORD
The Pioneer Magazine, December 1902
One of the earliest settlers of Collin County is G. W. (Uncle Wash) Ford, who lives about one mile southeast of Allen. Recently, when the writer called on him, we found him sitting on the front porch of his modest home, ready to welcome us with simple, true, genuine hospitality. Though the weight of nearly a century of years rested upon him and had frosted his hair to snowy whiteness, he stood erect, his eyes were bright and his mind clear. To watch him move around on his farm, nimble and quick, proudly pointing out his choicest specimens of Poland Chinas, Durhams, Barred and White Plymouth Rocks, one readily concludes that “ Uncle Wash,” as he is familiarly known, is yet a “young man.”
He first greeted the light of day January 15, 1821, in Missouri. He moved with his parents to Fayette, Ark., in 837. On November 1st, 1843, he landed on the David O’Brien place, about three miles northwest of McKinney. He claims to be the first man married in Collin County. On August 29th, 1844, he was married to Miss Parmelia Langston, stepdaughter of George McGarrah, who also was one of the pioneers of Collin County. He lived near old Fort Buckner until 1846, when he headrighted the land on which he now lives near Allen. Among those who came to Texas with him he mentioned Bill Rice, who lived east of McKinney, and whose offspring are many now living. Also George McGarrah, John Graham and Joe Stover. Among his neighbors (many of them miles away,) he mentioned Hogan Witt, Jacob, Godfrey, Ben and Pete Baccus, Robert Whisenant, Billy Snyder, Jim, Pete, Dave and Lew Wetsell; also Mrs. Lucinda Taylor and Mrs. Dr. Howell, whose maiden names were Wetsell. There was Allen McMillan yet living near Murphy; Andy and Jim Maxwell; Isaac, Daniel and Shird Hearn, and Esquire Pegues. He referred to Bill Sachse, the quaint old Dutchman who settled at the present site of Sachse, and though he came here a poor boy, was one of the wealthiest men of the county when he died. Bill Snider had built a grist mill near where the Widow Strain now lives. He first met William Sachse at this mill, where the latter had come to get some grinding. Mr. Ford also mentioned Pete Fisher, John Simonds, Bill and Gabe Fitzhugh as “near neighbors.”
Mr. Ford was physically a strong man in his youth. He told how he walked to McKinney from his present home on Monday morning and made rails during the week for Dan Howell on the present farm of Widow Buck, southwest of McKinney. He made 4,000 rails for a horse. He said that in going to the bottoms to make rails several would join together, take their guns and change bout in standing guard against the Indians. In those days Indian raids were expected. He recalled to mind the massacre of the Muncy family near the Howlett [Rowlett] bridge on the Dallas road by the Indians. Also a man by the name of Jameson was killed. A man by the name of Lee reported this horrible affair to old Fort Buckner. A party was made up at once, including Mr. Ford, to go and bury the murdered victims. All the bodies were found except those of two boys, which were discovered a year afterwards, in March 1844, in some woods not far away. It is coincidence that while this party were looking after the victims of this massacre, Grafton Williams and Monroe McRunnels came along in their wagons, just making their debut into Collin county, and who settled a few miles southwest of McKinney, where Grafton Williams just recently died. Mr. Ford told briefly of the murder of Joe Rice, a son of Bill Rice, by the Indians near old Howlett [Rowlett] church. A party of deer hunters had gone out, including the subject of this sketch and poor Joe Rice. The latter had wandered away from his companions, when a small squad of Indians shot him. His companions made a rush to get to him, but before they could do so the redskins had killed ans scalped him. Mr. Ford, in his reminiscences, told of ex-Sheriff Reed, Monroe McRunnels and a man by the name of Holcombe meeting a sad death in Smith County. The memory of the Quantrell gang came to him and in this connection he told of a lot of these fellows halting at the home of Lewis McMillan, near Mr. Ford, and ordering their dinner. Half of them ate heartily while the other half stood guard, and then they changed. Mr. Ford said that their presence in the community cost him seven head of sheep, which he “cheerfully” furnished. One of the squad had left a mare with him in exchange for a fresh horse. This mare was taken from a Kansas stable during the famous Lawrence raid. She was a good mare which Mr. Ford let Weden Franklin have in compensation for building a west addition to his present home nearly forty years ago.
Among the incidents of the life of our subject, is his trip to California, which was made in 1850. Mr. Ford, Jack McGarrah, Tom McDonald and Tolly Dunn, joined by about 150 men at Fort Worth, started on a gold seeking trip to California. They went via El Paso and were seven months in reaching their destination. They encountered many privations, at one time doing almost without food six days. A Mexican horse was killed and eaten on one occasion during threatened starvation. Mr. Ford returned in 1853 by a steamer sailing from San Francisco. After touching at Acapulco, Mexico, cholera broke out on the crowded ship. About two hundred died of this dread disease. When a patient died the corpse was weighted with coal cinders tied to the feet and the body let down a plank into the ocean, and the weight would carry the corpse to the bottom, out of the supposed reach of the sharks. Through fear and trembling Mr. Ford reached Panama, and with others footed it across the noted isthmus, where he took a ship for New Orleans and thence back to old Collin, never to leave it except for service in the Confederacy. He was a member of Capt. Ned Chambers’ company in this war. He said Jack McGarrah died at Sonora, California.
Mrs. Ford died September 10th, 1855. The children now living are George Ford, who lived with him; Lorenzo Ford, in Jack County; Mrs. Caroline Green, in Wood County; Mrs. Mary Warrington, of Guthrie, Okla; Mrs. Harriet Culledge, Carrollton, Dallas County; Jim Ford, west of McKinney, and Stanley Ford of Dallas, Texas. The children dead are Sarah Jane Goeman, died July 21st, 881; Joseph Wilbur, died February 24th, 1872; Ida Thomason, died 1900; Mrs. Irene Chapman, wife of W. W. Chapman, died June 8th, 1898
Mr. Ford is one of the pioneer fine hog breeders of Collin county, and, as before stated, takes much interest in his stock. He is a member of the Baptist church. He is nearing his 83rd birthday. During these many years he has witnessed the marvelous changes of the century just passed. The shadows are growing longer. The vale of the western slope of life is only a little way. The perfumed zephyrs of the farther shore play among his snowy locks. The glistening dewdrops of eve are at his feet. O, that youth would bow before the aged in this and every other clime and cheer the forms of declining pioneers.
G. W. WASH FORD DEAD
Democrat, March 8, 1904.
The end Came Tuesday at 8:30 O’clock.
HE WAS BURIED TODAY.
Funeral Took Place at 10 O’clock – Interment to be Made in Allen Cemetery.
G. W. (Wash) Ford, one of the earliest pioneers of Collin county died at his home one mile southeast of Allen Tuesday at 8:30 o’clock. His death was due principally to old age, though he had suffered for about ten days with la grippe.
A lengthy biographical sketch of Mr. Ford having been published in the Democrat columns only a short time ago, we will give only the most important facts in this article....
Mr. Ford was 83 years, 1 month and 23 days old. He was a member of the Baptist church, a splendid citizen, excellent neighbor and a kind father.
The funeral took place this morning at 10 o’clock, the services being conducted at the Allen Baptist church by Dr. E. E. King of this city, the pastor Rev. R. J. Fletcher being sick.
The Interment was made in the Allen Cemetery under the auspices of the IOOF lodge of which he was an honored member.
GEORGE WASHINGTON FORD
The Peters Colony of Texas, by Seymour Connor
George Washington Ford came to the colony before July 1, 1844, as a single man and settled on the East Fork of the Trinity in old Fannin County. He was issued a certificate for 320 acres of land by Thomas William Ward in 1850. He was issued another certificate for 320 acres by the county court of Collin Co. in 1853. One certificate he sold unlocated. It was later patented in Collin Co. (Fannin 3rd Class Certificate No. 1672). The other certificate he patented in Collin County (FAnnin 3rd Class Certificate No. 1561). He is listed in the 1850 Collin County Census (Collin County Family No. 246) as 26 years old, born in Ark. with 3 children.
He was illiterate.
GEORGE WASHINGTON FORD
Biography.
Wash Ford was born January 15, 1821 in Missouri and moved with his parents to Fayette Arkansas in 1837. In 1843 he came to Peter’s Colony and settled at Buckner. On August 29, 1844 he was married to Parmelia Langston, step-daughter of George McGarrah, another pioneer settler of Buckner. That same year he headrighted his land one mile southeast of Allen. At the time of his marriage Collin County had not been formed so he had to go back to Bonham for his marriage license. Their marriage was one of the first recorded in Collin County records. The couple farmed their headright on Mustang Branch, near where Allen was later to be. They built their log cabin near a spring of water. Among those coming to Texas with him were William Rice, George McGarrah, John Graham, Joe Stover. Wash Ford took his turn with other settlers who formed groups to stand guard against any surprise Indian Raid, for there had been several at that time and all settlers kept guns ready. He helped bury the Muncey family who were all killed near Rowlett Bridge on Old Highway 5 between McKinney and Dallas....
Eleven children were born to the Ford family , Wilburn, Tobe, George, Jim and Stanley. Their daughters were Jane Groeman, Irene Chapman, Caroline Green, Mary Warrengton, Harriett Gulledge, and Ida Thomason. Mr. Ford died in March of 1904 at the age of 83 years and Mrs. Ford died in 1885 at age 54. The family of Jim Ford have owned the old headrighted place until 1966 when they sold all but a few acres to W. E. (Pete) Ford, the youngest son of Jim and Marzie Berry Ford. Other of Jim Ford’s children are Augusta Angel, Mindie Strain, Shelley Ford, Berry Ford, Irene Boren and Ruby Ruyle.
The Pioneer Magazine, December 1902
One of the earliest settlers of Collin County is G. W. (Uncle Wash) Ford, who lives about one mile southeast of Allen. Recently, when the writer called on him, we found him sitting on the front porch of his modest home, ready to welcome us with simple, true, genuine hospitality. Though the weight of nearly a century of years rested upon him and had frosted his hair to snowy whiteness, he stood erect, his eyes were bright and his mind clear. To watch him move around on his farm, nimble and quick, proudly pointing out his choicest specimens of Poland Chinas, Durhams, Barred and White Plymouth Rocks, one readily concludes that “ Uncle Wash,” as he is familiarly known, is yet a “young man.”
He first greeted the light of day January 15, 1821, in Missouri. He moved with his parents to Fayette, Ark., in 837. On November 1st, 1843, he landed on the David O’Brien place, about three miles northwest of McKinney. He claims to be the first man married in Collin County. On August 29th, 1844, he was married to Miss Parmelia Langston, stepdaughter of George McGarrah, who also was one of the pioneers of Collin County. He lived near old Fort Buckner until 1846, when he headrighted the land on which he now lives near Allen. Among those who came to Texas with him he mentioned Bill Rice, who lived east of McKinney, and whose offspring are many now living. Also George McGarrah, John Graham and Joe Stover. Among his neighbors (many of them miles away,) he mentioned Hogan Witt, Jacob, Godfrey, Ben and Pete Baccus, Robert Whisenant, Billy Snyder, Jim, Pete, Dave and Lew Wetsell; also Mrs. Lucinda Taylor and Mrs. Dr. Howell, whose maiden names were Wetsell. There was Allen McMillan yet living near Murphy; Andy and Jim Maxwell; Isaac, Daniel and Shird Hearn, and Esquire Pegues. He referred to Bill Sachse, the quaint old Dutchman who settled at the present site of Sachse, and though he came here a poor boy, was one of the wealthiest men of the county when he died. Bill Snider had built a grist mill near where the Widow Strain now lives. He first met William Sachse at this mill, where the latter had come to get some grinding. Mr. Ford also mentioned Pete Fisher, John Simonds, Bill and Gabe Fitzhugh as “near neighbors.”
Mr. Ford was physically a strong man in his youth. He told how he walked to McKinney from his present home on Monday morning and made rails during the week for Dan Howell on the present farm of Widow Buck, southwest of McKinney. He made 4,000 rails for a horse. He said that in going to the bottoms to make rails several would join together, take their guns and change bout in standing guard against the Indians. In those days Indian raids were expected. He recalled to mind the massacre of the Muncy family near the Howlett [Rowlett] bridge on the Dallas road by the Indians. Also a man by the name of Jameson was killed. A man by the name of Lee reported this horrible affair to old Fort Buckner. A party was made up at once, including Mr. Ford, to go and bury the murdered victims. All the bodies were found except those of two boys, which were discovered a year afterwards, in March 1844, in some woods not far away. It is coincidence that while this party were looking after the victims of this massacre, Grafton Williams and Monroe McRunnels came along in their wagons, just making their debut into Collin county, and who settled a few miles southwest of McKinney, where Grafton Williams just recently died. Mr. Ford told briefly of the murder of Joe Rice, a son of Bill Rice, by the Indians near old Howlett [Rowlett] church. A party of deer hunters had gone out, including the subject of this sketch and poor Joe Rice. The latter had wandered away from his companions, when a small squad of Indians shot him. His companions made a rush to get to him, but before they could do so the redskins had killed ans scalped him. Mr. Ford, in his reminiscences, told of ex-Sheriff Reed, Monroe McRunnels and a man by the name of Holcombe meeting a sad death in Smith County. The memory of the Quantrell gang came to him and in this connection he told of a lot of these fellows halting at the home of Lewis McMillan, near Mr. Ford, and ordering their dinner. Half of them ate heartily while the other half stood guard, and then they changed. Mr. Ford said that their presence in the community cost him seven head of sheep, which he “cheerfully” furnished. One of the squad had left a mare with him in exchange for a fresh horse. This mare was taken from a Kansas stable during the famous Lawrence raid. She was a good mare which Mr. Ford let Weden Franklin have in compensation for building a west addition to his present home nearly forty years ago.
Among the incidents of the life of our subject, is his trip to California, which was made in 1850. Mr. Ford, Jack McGarrah, Tom McDonald and Tolly Dunn, joined by about 150 men at Fort Worth, started on a gold seeking trip to California. They went via El Paso and were seven months in reaching their destination. They encountered many privations, at one time doing almost without food six days. A Mexican horse was killed and eaten on one occasion during threatened starvation. Mr. Ford returned in 1853 by a steamer sailing from San Francisco. After touching at Acapulco, Mexico, cholera broke out on the crowded ship. About two hundred died of this dread disease. When a patient died the corpse was weighted with coal cinders tied to the feet and the body let down a plank into the ocean, and the weight would carry the corpse to the bottom, out of the supposed reach of the sharks. Through fear and trembling Mr. Ford reached Panama, and with others footed it across the noted isthmus, where he took a ship for New Orleans and thence back to old Collin, never to leave it except for service in the Confederacy. He was a member of Capt. Ned Chambers’ company in this war. He said Jack McGarrah died at Sonora, California.
Mrs. Ford died September 10th, 1855. The children now living are George Ford, who lived with him; Lorenzo Ford, in Jack County; Mrs. Caroline Green, in Wood County; Mrs. Mary Warrington, of Guthrie, Okla; Mrs. Harriet Culledge, Carrollton, Dallas County; Jim Ford, west of McKinney, and Stanley Ford of Dallas, Texas. The children dead are Sarah Jane Goeman, died July 21st, 881; Joseph Wilbur, died February 24th, 1872; Ida Thomason, died 1900; Mrs. Irene Chapman, wife of W. W. Chapman, died June 8th, 1898
Mr. Ford is one of the pioneer fine hog breeders of Collin county, and, as before stated, takes much interest in his stock. He is a member of the Baptist church. He is nearing his 83rd birthday. During these many years he has witnessed the marvelous changes of the century just passed. The shadows are growing longer. The vale of the western slope of life is only a little way. The perfumed zephyrs of the farther shore play among his snowy locks. The glistening dewdrops of eve are at his feet. O, that youth would bow before the aged in this and every other clime and cheer the forms of declining pioneers.
G. W. WASH FORD DEAD
Democrat, March 8, 1904.
The end Came Tuesday at 8:30 O’clock.
HE WAS BURIED TODAY.
Funeral Took Place at 10 O’clock – Interment to be Made in Allen Cemetery.
G. W. (Wash) Ford, one of the earliest pioneers of Collin county died at his home one mile southeast of Allen Tuesday at 8:30 o’clock. His death was due principally to old age, though he had suffered for about ten days with la grippe.
A lengthy biographical sketch of Mr. Ford having been published in the Democrat columns only a short time ago, we will give only the most important facts in this article....
Mr. Ford was 83 years, 1 month and 23 days old. He was a member of the Baptist church, a splendid citizen, excellent neighbor and a kind father.
The funeral took place this morning at 10 o’clock, the services being conducted at the Allen Baptist church by Dr. E. E. King of this city, the pastor Rev. R. J. Fletcher being sick.
The Interment was made in the Allen Cemetery under the auspices of the IOOF lodge of which he was an honored member.
GEORGE WASHINGTON FORD
The Peters Colony of Texas, by Seymour Connor
George Washington Ford came to the colony before July 1, 1844, as a single man and settled on the East Fork of the Trinity in old Fannin County. He was issued a certificate for 320 acres of land by Thomas William Ward in 1850. He was issued another certificate for 320 acres by the county court of Collin Co. in 1853. One certificate he sold unlocated. It was later patented in Collin Co. (Fannin 3rd Class Certificate No. 1672). The other certificate he patented in Collin County (FAnnin 3rd Class Certificate No. 1561). He is listed in the 1850 Collin County Census (Collin County Family No. 246) as 26 years old, born in Ark. with 3 children.
He was illiterate.
GEORGE WASHINGTON FORD
Biography.
Wash Ford was born January 15, 1821 in Missouri and moved with his parents to Fayette Arkansas in 1837. In 1843 he came to Peter’s Colony and settled at Buckner. On August 29, 1844 he was married to Parmelia Langston, step-daughter of George McGarrah, another pioneer settler of Buckner. That same year he headrighted his land one mile southeast of Allen. At the time of his marriage Collin County had not been formed so he had to go back to Bonham for his marriage license. Their marriage was one of the first recorded in Collin County records. The couple farmed their headright on Mustang Branch, near where Allen was later to be. They built their log cabin near a spring of water. Among those coming to Texas with him were William Rice, George McGarrah, John Graham, Joe Stover. Wash Ford took his turn with other settlers who formed groups to stand guard against any surprise Indian Raid, for there had been several at that time and all settlers kept guns ready. He helped bury the Muncey family who were all killed near Rowlett Bridge on Old Highway 5 between McKinney and Dallas....
Eleven children were born to the Ford family , Wilburn, Tobe, George, Jim and Stanley. Their daughters were Jane Groeman, Irene Chapman, Caroline Green, Mary Warrengton, Harriett Gulledge, and Ida Thomason. Mr. Ford died in March of 1904 at the age of 83 years and Mrs. Ford died in 1885 at age 54. The family of Jim Ford have owned the old headrighted place until 1966 when they sold all but a few acres to W. E. (Pete) Ford, the youngest son of Jim and Marzie Berry Ford. Other of Jim Ford’s children are Augusta Angel, Mindie Strain, Shelley Ford, Berry Ford, Irene Boren and Ruby Ruyle.
