~ Love of Heirlooms ~

Thank you Marie for Heirloom Friday @ Emma Calls Me Momma.

Harvey Russell Ford (1908 - 1996), Harold's father, was a farmer before he moved his young family from Kingfisher, OK in l938 driving his Model A Ford. They packed up what belongings they could fit in the car, propped up their tiny son (Gayle) in the back seat ... & off they went to WA ST to escape the Dust Bowl. Pa farmed for a bit in Adna, WA before moving into the outskirts of town (Chehalis, WA) where he worked for a trucking delivery company briefly. He also barbered to supplement the family income. Pa had 1/2 cousins that 'encouraged him life would be better in WA ST' tho a couple years before Pa passed he refelcted 'that if I knew then what I know now, I'd never have given up the ranch (in OK) & left'.

The first picture is of Pa's own shaving mug, the soap (hard as a tack) is still in it, & his shaving brush.

The second picture is a cup that belonged to Pa's Father, William Harvey Ford (1844 - 1913). The only thing Pa had to treasure was this cup, which he gave to us, which is as precious as gold to us. W.H. had 3 sons from at least one marriage prior to marrying Pa's Mother, Eliza Jane Sherrod Hicks. W.R. was a farmer & well driller in TX. We are not sure when he moved to OK but prob 1904/6 because he married Eliza in 1906. W.R. & Eliza had 3 sons, Pa was first, David was b. 1910/d.1944 & 'Lee' b. 1912/d.1913. Pa was the sole remaining son of W.R. & Eliza, being a mere 4 years old when his Father died, with a near-to-none memory of his Father.

The third picture is of Harvey Russell & Naomi Hollis Underwood Ford's wedding picture somewhere in OK. Ma Ford recounted how they were 'chivalried all night' on their wedding night. It is the only known wedding picture.

The fourth picture is of his brother David Clark Ford, (mentioned in the above paragraphs) in his military uniform. He had one son, Sean, who died as a baby. We have one other picture of David on his favorite horse, Babe. We have only 3 pictures of him, so they are held close to our hearts.

The last picture is a Civil War picture of one of DHs relatives that we still cannot determine 'who' he is. Civil War pictures are to be treasured ... my husband, Harold, is a semi-expert on Civil War history so this is truly a precious picture to him, because of the family connection. It is priceless.

I have shown you before the walking cane of DHs maternal grandfather that served with General Lee at the surrender of Appamatox, as his minister.