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Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 39F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..
Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 39F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
A photo of Edwin Holton Ford as a young man by Charlie Chapman courtesy of the Ford Meter Box Company.
A photo of Edwin Holton Ford by John L. Ford, Sr. from the History of the Ford Family Genealogy Book.
A photo of Edwin Holton Ford as a young man by Charlie Chapman courtesy of the Ford Meter Box Company.
A photo of Edwin Holton Ford by John L. Ford, Sr. from the History of the Ford Family Genealogy Book.
When one thinks of the name Ford, one immediately thinks of automobile pioneer Henry Ford and the cars that followed. However, there was another inventor named Ford whose invention came about right here in Hartford City.
Dr. James Ford and his wife America Holton Ford purchased three lots in Wabash, Indiana in 1838. In 1841, they moved into a small one-room brick home with their infant daughter. This was one of the first brick structures in Wabash. In addition to being a Medical Doctor, Ford was a talented amateur architect, pharmacist, writer, agronomist, inventor, and Civil War surgeon. As his family and success grew, he added to the home and the house achieved a graceful appearance. Today, this home has been restored to simulate how it would have appeared in 1875 and may be toured.
The youngest of their six children Edwin Holton Ford was born in Wabash on January 12, 1861. Nearly 10 years younger than his closest sibling, Edwin grew up almost as an only child. He had a natural affinity for math and science and taught himself how to draft. After his education in the schools of his hometown, he furthered his education at Butler University.
Edwin came to Blackford County at the age of 20 in 1881 to look after his family’s real estate interests. The family had acquired over 1,000 acres of land known as the Ransom Tract. He purchased 160 acres of this for himself and began to develop the rest.
In 1883, Edwin was elected to be the Justice of the Peace for Harrison Township. He served in this office for four years before taking a position with the Fort Wayne Gas Company which led to a position with the Silaurian Gas and Oil Company. He then accepted a position as the secretary at the Hartford City Gas Company.
In 1891, he accepted a secretarial position with the Almerian Glass Company of Gas City. It was also in 1891 when he married Elizabeth Neff in Wabash. Elizabeth was born in 1869 and was the daughter of John Neff and Mary (Bloomer) Neff of Wabash County.
In the 1890s, the availability of cheap fuel brought an influx of French and Belgian glass workers to the area. Edwin lost his investments in the glass factory during the Panic of 1893. Unemployed, he returned to Hartford City and accepted an offer to become the first Superintendent of the Hartford City Water Works in 1895. Running water was a novelty in rural Indiana, and Edwin soon faced water shortages. He felt the best way to encourage water conservation was through metering. However, he needed an easy way to access the water meters. So, he designed the first water meter pit and applied for a patent. He received the patent for his invention on September 19, 1899. He began installing these meter pits in Hartford City, and news of his success spread to neighboring towns. Edwin found himself filling orders from his basement workshop, Elizabeth managed the bookkeeping. The Ford Meter Box was founded in Hartford City around this time.
Ford’s first child, Holton Neff Ford was born in November of 1894. Wilber Edwin Ford followed in October of 1896. John Lawrence Ford came along in August of 1898. Richard was born in 1900, and their youngest son Frederick was born in 1904.
1911 proved to be a rough year for Ford. Due to political changes, he lost his job. An illness also claimed the life of his youngest son Frederick. At the wake for his son, friends encouraged him to move back to Wabash and make water meters. Ford and his family returned to his birthplace. He incorporated the young business in 1911. Ford Meter Box Inc. saw growth and expanded product offerings under Edwin’s direction. In 1916, Ford Meter Box received its first patent for the water meter test bench. The firm also began manufacturing meter-setting products for a variety of installation settings.
Edwin H. Ford died on September 3, 1933. His company however has continued on. In the early 1960s, Ford Meter Box introduced the ball valve for waterworks applications. In 1972, Ford began marketing stainless steel repair clamps. In 1994, Ford Meter Box acquired the Uni-Flange brand and began manufacturing pipe restraints. From a basement shop to an industry leader, the Ford Meter Box story continues, more than a century after its founding. Following Edwin’s example, the company continues a tradition of developing quality waterworks products to meet the needs of water systems throughout the United States and the world. The company founded in Hartford City is dedicated to innovation and continues to develop new products to meet customer needs throughout the world.
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Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 39F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 39F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Sunny skies. High 58F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.