George Denham Ford (1879 - 1974)

Born 29 Aug 1879 in Washington D.C., United States

Ancestors

Husband of Helen Isabel (Barnett) Ford — married 31 Jul 1916 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

Died 24 Jul 1974 at age 94 in Glendale, Los Angeles, California, United States

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Biography

George was born 29 Aug 1879, in Washington, DC. He was the son of Harry Clay Ford and Blanche (Chapman) Ford.

In 1880, George was a nine-month-old infant residing in Washington, D.C., with his parents and two older siblings.

In 1894, when George was about fourteen years old, his family moved to Brooklyn, New York, in order to foster his mother's developing stage career. He attended Erasmus High School in Brooklyn (Class of '99), where he was captain of both the baseball and football teams.

In 1900, Harry was 20 years old and still living at home while attending school. After high school, Hary attended Dartmouth College, although there are various later newspaper reports that claim he may have also attended Harvard or perhaps Yale. In 1910, he was 30 years old, still at home and working as a theater press agent.

In 1912, George moved with his parents to Rutherford, New Jersey, where his father died in 1915.

In 1916, George was managing a summer theater in Albany, New York, where he met young actress Helen Barnet. The couple were married 31 Jul 1916, in Manhattan. She had just turned 22; he was nearly 37. In September 1918, he registered for the World War I draft in Bergen County, listing his address as 149 Veronica Way in Rutherford. He listed his wife, Helen, as his next of kin. He also stated that he was then working in advertising for Broadway director John D. Williams, in New York City's Tilden Building.

In both 1920 and 1930, George and Helen were residing with George's now-widowed mother and his siblings in Rutherford. George was now identified as a theatrical manager.

In 1940, George, age 51, was residing with his mother, his brother Frank, and Frank's wife Carol in Rutherford. He was listed as an unemployed theater promoter. He was also listed as married, although Helen was not residing in the household. In fact, she was residing in a rooming house in New York City, where she was likely performing.

In 1942, George registered for the World War II draft in New York City, listing his address as 106 West 47th Street. He listed T.M. and H. Vernon of West 54th Street, as the people who would always know his whereabouts. He listed his employer as Wilcow Inc at 521 5th Avenue.

In 1950, George was enumerated alone in Los Angeles, California, where he was once again described as a theatrical manager. Where Helen was that year is unclear, but we do know from City Directories and voter Registration Lists that the couple was still married and remained so until George's death in 1974.

In 1955, George was managing Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. That same year, he published a book about his theatrical ancestors entitled They Were Actors (Library Publishers).

In the 1960s, with the centennial anniversary of the Lincoln assassination, George gained some renewed celebrity based on his connection to the old Ford's Theater and lectured at several venues.

George passed away 24 Jul 1974, in Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale, California. He was a month shy of his 95th birthday. He was buried at Grand View Memorial Park and Crematory in Glendale, California. George and Helen did not have any children.

Notes

George served as treasurer for actress Viola Allen's company, sometime prior to 1908, but no specific time frame was given. (See: The Washington Post, 15 Nov 1908, page 3.)

Sources

1880 U.S. Federal Census, District of Columbia, Washington, ED 26, page 8, dwelling 57, family 64, household of H. Clay Ford. Image available online at Ancestry.com $$ (Image 8).

1900 U.S. Federal Census, New York, Kings County, Brooklyn Ward 30, ED 553, page 14B, dwelling 209, family 286, household of Henry C. Ford. Image available online at Ancestry.com $$ (Image 32).

1905 New York State Census, Kings County, Brooklyn, AD 7, ED 23, page 42, lines 10-15, household of Henry C. Ford. Image available online at Ancestry.com $$ (Image 22).

1910 U.S. Federal Census, New York, Kings County, Brooklyn Ward 30, ED 1087, page 4B, dwelling 57, family 75, household of Henry C. Ford. Image available online at Ancestry.com $$ (Image 8).

New York, New York Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018. License #21163, George D. Ford to Helen C. Barnett, Manhattan, 31 Jul 1916. Index available online at Ancestry.com $$ (Image 191).

U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. New Jersey, Bergen County, Draft Board 1, Serial No. 2906, Order No. 3792, George Denham Ford. Image available online at Ancestry.com $$ (Image 221).

1920 U.S. Federal Census, New Jersey, Bergen County, Rutherford, ED 104, page 8B, dwelling 164, family 178, household of Blanche C. Ford. Image available online at Ancestry.com $$ (Image 16).

1930 U.S. Federal Census, New Jersey, Bergen County, Rutherford, ED 221, page 2A, dwelling 28, family 34, household of Blanche Ford. Image available online at Ancestry.com $$ (Image 3).

U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942. New York City, Draft Board 20, Serial No. 9045, George Denham Ford. Image available online at Ancestry.com $$ (Image 3359).

1940 U.S. Federal Census, New Jersey, Bergen County, Rutherford, ED 2-321, page 10A, dwelling 231, household of Blanche C. Ford. Image available online at Ancestry.com $$ (Image 19).

1950 U.S. Federal Census, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, ED 66-654, page 75, dwelling 901, household of George Denham Ford. Image available online at Ancestry.com $$ (Image 20).

Obituary: George Ford, Theatrical Manager, Dies. The Los Angeles times, 26 Jul 1974, page 77.

Find a Grave, Memorial Page for George Denham Ford (29 Aug 1879–24 Jul 1974). Maintained by GVMP Vols (contributor 47223172). Available at: [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47488782/george-denham-ford Find a Grave Memorial ID 47488782]