Archibald Ford - Oakland

Elizabeth Ford Irwin, taken August 2, 1902 by M. M. Treadwell. Archie may be the figure on the left. courtesy Graham PileckiArchibald ("Archie") Ford (June, 1834 – October 26, 1912) was a machinist and inventor, particularly noted for an improved gas regulator patented in 1893.

Ford was born in June, 1834 in Glasgow, Scotland. The family came to the U.S. in 1847 when Archie was 13, and settled in Pennsylvania.

In 1855, Ford married Elizabeth Downard (Ford) (c.1836 – May 2, 1907), and they had 7 children: Ella May Ford, Emma C. Ford, William H. Ford, Archibald Ford, Lillian ("Lillie") Valentine Ford (Irwin / Hall / Shepherd), George Edwin Ford, and Charles W. Ford. After living in San Francisco for a time, in the 1890s the Fords moved to Oakland, where they lived at 1048 - 56th Street. Archie and Elizabeth helped raise Lillie's daughter, Elizabeth Ford Irwin (August 7, 1897 – September 3, 1999).

The 1896 voter register describes him as 5' 6 1/2" with hazel eyes, and gray hair.

The Archibald Ford Co. had a small factory at 2nd and Castro, and employed 4 men in 1896. ² Some early references regarding water issues were signed by Archibald Ford on Sutter Street. Sutter St. was later renamed 56th St. after the area was annexed by Oakland in 1897.

Death and Burial

CC SA-BY Our OaklandElizabeth died in 1907, and Archie died in 1912, "due to the infirmities incident to old age." Rev. S. E. Crowe, pastor of the First Methodist Church of Oakland, officiated at Archie's funeral. Both Elizabeth and Archie are buried in Mountain View Cemetery, in Plot 46, Lot 125 (in the east half of Plot 46). Next to their grave is a marker for Shepherd.