HENRY C. FORD. 



By WILLIAM E. MEEHAN, Philadelphia. Pa. 



Probably no man was better known among fish culturists, in 

 this country, than Henry C. Ford, and no man was more greatly 

 esteemed for his knowledge of the subject of fish culture and for 

 his qualities as a man. His modesty and unassuming w'ays made 

 him a general favorite among those with whom he came in con- 

 tact, and gained for him the respect of those who knew him by 

 reputation only, liy his death Pennsylvania's fish cultural work 

 suffered a severe loss, and people all over the l^Inited States were 

 deprived of a friend. For some years Mr. Ford had been a suf- 

 ferer from the disease wdiich finally resulted in his death, but he 

 bore his affliction so bravely and so patiently, that only those who 

 were nearest to him, were aware of his trouble until a few months 

 l)efore the end. To a large number of liis friends the announce- 

 fuent of his demise was a sutlden and unexpected shock. 



Mr. blenry C. Forfl was descended from old New York and 

 Connecticut stock, although he himself was by birth and residence 

 a Philadelphian. He' was born July 25th, 1836. his father, Isaac 

 Ford, being at that time one (tf the largest wholesale dry goods 

 merchants in the city. He was the first born, and on the death 

 of his father became the manager of the estate, which was very 

 large. Ijeyond this Mr. Henry C. Ford was never engaged in 

 business, his father having retired some years before his death. 

 His preliminary education was received in private schools in 

 Philadelphia, and it was completed at Brown University, from 

 which institution he graduated in 1856. Among his classmates 

 were several afterwards notable men. prominent among whom 

 were ex-Secretary of State Richard ( Jlney, and General Tour- 

 telote. 



From boyhood Mr. Ford was fond of angling, and was early 

 the companion of some of the most noted anglers cif the dav. 

 Having abundant means, he was able to indulge to the full in his 

 favorite sport, and in pursuit of it, at various times visited and 

 fished nearly every noted river and stream in the country. Dur- 

 ing the latter davs of his life, however, he spent most of his fish- 

 ing days in Florida and at Fgypt Mills, Pike County, Pa. While 

 extremely fond of trout fishing, Mr. Ford's fav(M-ite sport was the 

 capture of the black bass. He was probably the most expert 



