Guide to Henry A. Ford Papers
Collection Summary
Title: Henry A. Ford Papers Call Number: MS 87-31 Size: 0.25 linear feet Acquisition: Gift of Henry A. Ford. Processed by: KC; Reprocessed by JEF: 1/28/1998
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The life sketch of Henry A. Ford is the memoirs of his life during a period of his life in the 1880s from youngster to young adult. It was written during the period from 1943 to 1946 (?) in which Henry recalls specific events of family life growing up on a claim in Kansas. He also includes the origins, names and birth and death dates of his parents and grandparents. The memoir is divided into two topics: his life as a cowboy and the months he spent as a desperado. There are colorful life stories interjected throughout the 84 page memoir.
Ford was born March 4, 1877, in Oxford County, Missouri. His family moved to a claim near Englewood, Kansas in 1885. Henry left school at 16 years old and began a life as a cowboy, more specifically as a horse wrangler.
None available.
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Box 1 |
FF 1 |
Contains the Life Sketch of Henry A. Ford, which exemplifies the travel and diet of cowboys in 19th century America. Ford describes specific events growing up on the claim after his father died. He recalls the death of his father and the accidental death of a childhood friend, Emma Glasshoff, as well as the near-fatal snake bite of his sister Amanda. It is also possible to get a glimpse of cowboy life as he provides details of the roundup crew's equipment and a synopsis of a roundup in progress. Over the years Ford worked seasonally at several large cattle ranches in Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado (primarily for the Prairie Cattle Co. as part of the Cross L Wagon of the J. J. outfit). In three separate accounts Ford describes herd size and the geological proximity in which the round up took place. A fair portion of the memoir is dedicated to chronicling the escape of Ford and a companion from the Beaver City, Oklahoma, jail, as well as the time they spent in Smith Canyon, Colorado, evading posses. |