John Ross Ford was also known as J. R. Ford. John Ross Ford was born on 21. Jun. 1817 at New Jersey. He was the son of
Judge Josiah Ford. John Ross Ford was the founder of U. S. Rubber. He married
Ann Eliabeth Bishop, daughter of
James Bishop and
Eleanor Bennet, on 14. Aug. 1844 at New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. John Ross Ford was a retired merchant on 2. Jul. 1870.
John Ross Ford and
Ann Eliabeth Bishop appeared on the census of 2. Jul. 1870 at Ward 19 District 3, New York City, New York County, New York,
; Real Estate 1,000.000.00 personal proberty 1,000,000.00. John Ross Ford married
Mrs. Elizabeth M. Horner in 1875. John Ross Ford was a stock holder on 11. Jun. 1880.
John Ross Ford and
Mrs. Elizabeth M. Horner appeared on the census of 11. Jun. 1880 at District 570, New York City, New York County, New York.
John Ross Ford died on 29. Nov. 1896 at age 79.
JOHN ROSS FORD, merchant, born June 21, 1817, in New Jersey, is a son of the late Josiah Ford, a Judge of Middlesex county courts. His lineage runs back to a pioneer, who came from England about 1600. Mr. Ford attended the school of Mr. Spaulding in New Brunswick, where William H. Vanderbilt, Henry Richmond, Charles D. Deshler and other distinguished men also gained a portion of their education. Early in life, he entered the dry goods store of C. Smith & Co., on Maiden Lane in this city, and, before attaining his majority, engaged in the dry goods business for himself in New Brunswick. In 1844, he embarked in the manufacture of rubber goods in the firm of Ford & Co., which he incorporated, April 1, 1853, as The Ford Rubber Co. Mr. Ford was the first to aid Mr. Goodyear in introducing the manufacture of rubber goods and in establishing the Goodyear patent. Previous to 1840, India rubber had little commercial value, but following Charles Goodyear's wonderful discovery of a process to harden rubber, there developed a business of immense value in this country and Europe. Goodyear's patent was obtained about 1842. Soon after its value became known, other persons claimed to have accomplished what he did. Goodyear was unable to defend his rights; and four out of six companies, which had been organized to manufacture rubber, united to carry the case to the highest courts. These were L. Candee & Co., The Ford Rubber Co., now known as The Meyer Rubber Co., The Newark India Rubber Co., and The Hayward Rubber Co. The contest in court lasted for years, those fighting it doing so with money made in violating the patent. Great lawyers took part on both sides of the case, Rufus Choate and Francis B. Cutting for the defendant, Daniel Webster and James T. Brady for the patentees. This was Webster's last case in court, and his great argument secured a decision for Mr. Goodyear. Of all the persons involved, Mr. Ford is believed to be the only survivor. He yet retains his investment in the rubber industry. Mr. Ford is a director of The Home Insurance Co., The New York Mutual Gas Light Co., The Manhattan Trust Co., and The Meyer Rubber Co., and has resigned from a number of other corporations. One of the soundest merchants of the city, his character above reproach. He shares the public spirit of his colleagues of the Union League club, of which he is one of the original members, and has in many ways shown himself a sterling and useful citizen, especially by large contributions to charities. Mr. Ford was married Aug. 14, [p.248] 1844, to Elizabeth, daughter of James Bishop of New Brunswick, and their surviving children are James B. Ford, treasurer of The Meyer Rubber Co; J. Howard Ford, president of The Meyer Rubber Co; and Harriet, wife of Dr. Everett Herrick of New York. Mr. Ford's second wife is Mrs. Elizabeth M. Horner of this city, to whom he was married in 1875. He died, Nov. 29, 1896.