Full length portrait of Charles Denslow Ford on his wedding day, November 13, 1882. (Kelley House Collection, Kelley House Photographs)
January 12, 1916 – Charles Denslow Ford died at Adler’s Sanitarium in San Francisco. He had been suffering from paralysis for about four months and was undergoing treatment at the time of his death.
Born in Mendocino in 1858, Charles was the son of Jerome Bursley and Martha Hayes Ford. Jerome B. Ford was one of the original settlers of the town and was the resident manager of the Mendocino Lumber Company operation until 1872. That year, the Ford family moved to Oakland to give their five children better educational opportunities.
The Fords retained their part-ownership in the Mendocino Lumber Company until 1902, and during his adult years, Charles Ford served as the treasurer in the San Francisco office, until the Union Lumber Company purchased the company’s assets in 1906. Charles then became involved in the shipping business.
Charles was well known in Mendocino. “He was an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman and whenever he was able, would make a trip to Mendocino, to indulge his fondness for those sports. Mr. Ford leaves to mourn his loss his wife, Mrs. Nellie Lincoln Ford; a daughter. Mrs. Lewis Pierce; three sisters, Mrs. Kate Rea of Mill Valley, Mrs. Ella Earl of Berkeley, and Mrs. Susie Pierson of San Francisco, and one brother, J. C. Ford of San Diego.”
“The remains of the late Charles D. Ford were tenderly laid to rest beside those of his beloved parents in the family plot in Evergreen Cemetery. Rev J. M. Fisher conducted services at the grave, and numerous friends were present to pay their respects to the memory of the departed.”
Mendocino Book Two by Dorothy Bear and Beth Stebbins – Meet the Ford family, founders of Mendocino. Learn about Henry Meiggs and the Mendocino Lumber Company and years of early local history. $19.