Page 924
AARON C. FORD was born in Marshall county, Kentucky, January 13, 1827. His father, Boze Ford, was born March 4, 1804, in South Carolina; his mother, Susan Ford, was a native of Kentucky. Mr. Ford, the father of the subject of this biography, has been engaged in farming all his life; emigrated from Marshall County, Kentucky, to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1851; is now living in Illiopolis, Illinois, and a member of the Christian Church, and has led an exemplary life as a Christian. Aaron C. Ford left the parental roof in his old Kentucky home at the age of sixteen to seek his fortune in the west, and settled first in Morgan county, Illinois, and worked first for $8 per month, and remained in Morgan county until 1850. The last work Mr. Ford done in Morgan county was to maul two thousand rails for Samuel French, at seventy-five cents per hundred. While in Morgan county, Mr. Ford availed himself of the advantages afforded by the common schools; went to school in the winter and worked in the summer - attended select school one term. Settled near Illiopolis, Sangamon county, in 1850. Broke the first prairie land in Big Prairie, outside of the old timber settlement of the county. Mr. Ford was married to Miss Rebecca J. Averitt, of Macon county, Illinois, December 19, 1852. Mrs. Ford was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, May 13, 1832. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ford thirteen children, of whom eight are living, three boys and five girls, viz: eldest. Emma C., was born September 25, 1853, is now teaching school in Illiopolis with marked success; has taught five terms, and holds a first grade certificate; Eva F., born September 10, 1856, and was married March 1, 1877, to David Johnson, near Illiopolis; George E., born December 28, 1858, is at home with his parents, and engaged in grain business, Illiopolis; Aleff C., born September 18, 1865; Abner M., born December 9, 1867; Charles C., born December 18, 1868; Minnie M., born December 4, 1870; Gertie W., born September 16, 1876.
Mr. Ford owns five hundred and sixty acres of land in Illiopolis township, nearly all in one body, and is said to be as good a tract of land as can be found in the State, worth $70 per acre. Mr. Ford has held the office of justice of the peace in the township; now resides in Illiopolis, one and a half miles from his farm, and owns a good residence; exercises supervision over his farm, and is taking an interest in the education of his children, having moved from his farm for that purpose. Mr. Ford has been a member of the Christian Church thirty-one years, and his life is justly regarded by all who know him, as exemplary in a high degree; has been a fearless worker from his youth in the cause of temperance, and every good cause that enter in as concomitants to build up society, and elevate man in the scale of being.