Springdale Cemetery
Rose Hill

     "Thomas Ford, seventh Governor elected. Democrat, of Ogle, the first Governor from Central or Northern Illinois, Dec. 8,1842, to Dec. 9,1846, was born at Uniontown, Pa., Dec. 5, 1800. His father was killed by Indians in the mountains of Pennsylvania. His mother was left in poor circumstances with a large family, mostly girls, and she concluded to move to Missouri in 1804. There was some sickness in the family, and the mother decided to move from Missouri to Illinois, which she did, settling three miles south of Waterloo. Governor Ford received a limited common school education. In 1829 Governor Edwards appointed him prosecuting attorney; two years later Governor Reynolds reappointed him, and after that the Legislature four times elected him Judge—twice as Circuit Judge, as Judge of Chicago and as Associate Judge of the Supreme Court, when in 1841 that tribunal was reorganized and five Democrats elected. He resigned to become Governor. The Democrats, in December, 1841, met and nominated Adam W. Snyder, of St. Clair county, for Governor for the election of August, 1842, but he died in the spring of 1842, and Governor Ford was named to succeed him. Ex-Governor Duncan ran as the Whig candidate, but was badly beaten, receiving 33,584 votes to Ford's 46,901." (excerpt from 1903 Blue Book of the State of Illinois, pg. 214, submitted by Janine Crandell)

     Thomas Ford ended up a forgotten man in the last few years of his life even though his contributions were great. It is said he saved the state from bankruptcy during the Panic of 1837. Also his administration handled the Mormon conflict and the start of the Mexican War.
     In 1847, Mr. Ford moved his family to Peoria and entered private law practice. Unfortunately his health began to deteriorate and his wife, Frances, died October 12, 1850, of cancer. He and his five children then moved in with Ford's friend, Andrew Gray.
     Most people weren't aware of Mr. Ford's poverty during the last years of his life. He had hoped that the book he wrote The History of Illinois From its Commencement as a State in 1818 to 1847 would provide financial relief, but the book wasn't published until after his death. Mr. Thomas Ford died of tuberculosis on November 3, 1850. Friends took his children in and took care of them.
     Mr. and Mrs. Ford were buried in the old City cemetery at the site of the Lincoln library. On June 5, 1860, they were moved to the Springdale cemetery. Julia E. who died on December 30, 1862, is also buried with her parents. Another daughter, Mrs. Anne Daviess, who died March 17, 1910, is buried there as well. (research by Janine Crandell)

Here is the monument of Thomas Ford.
The stone was "erected by the State in 1896"
(more info by Steve Slaughter)

Excerpt from the Laws of the Sate of Illinois (1849)
This appropriation of funds was probably used for
the first monument; the one at Springdale now
is most likely the second monument.