William Ford (businessman)


William Ford was an Irish-American businessman and was the father of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford.

Life and career

William was born in Ballinascarthy near Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland and was the son of Thomasine and Jonathan "John" Ford. Ford's ancestors were originally from Somerset, England, and migrated to Ireland as part of the Plantations of Ulster.
William attended St. Joseph's High School, had six siblings, and emigrated to the United States in 1846. The family arrived in Quebec in 1847 and then onto the United States.
On April 21, 1861, William married Mary Litogot in Wayne County, Michigan, daughter of Belgian immigrants. He and Mary had eight children, six of whom survived into adulthood. They moved to Detroit, Michigan.
William retired in 1879. He died of natural causes on March 8, 1905, in his home and was buried in the Ford Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan, USA, Plot: St. Martha's Episcopal Churchyard.

Family

William married Belgian-American Mary Litogot, together they had six children:
NameBirth/DeathInformation
Henry Ford1863–1947Henry was the first child of William and Mary Ford. He is the founder of the Ford Motor Company
John Robert Ford1865–1927John was the second child of William and Mary Ford.
Margaret Ford1867–1960Margaret was the third child of William and Mary Ford.
Jane Ford1869–1906Jane was the fourth child of William and Mary Ford.
William Ford Jr.1871–1917William was the fifth child of William and Mary Ford.
Robert Ford1873–1934Robert was the sixth and last child of William and Mary Ford

William had 6 siblings – 4 sisters, and 2 brothers:
NameBirth/Death
Rebecca Ford1824–1895
Jane Ford1829–1851
Mary Fordca. 1832–1882
Nancy Ford1834–1920
Henry Ford Sr.1840–1901
Samuel Ford1837–1884