Fort Dodge mayor John F. Ford, who served from 1911 to 1919, resided in
this Fifth Avenue North home for many years with his wife and five
children. Ford won election as mayor when the city’s form of government
was changed from the ward system to the present commission system.
The first City Council under the commission form included Mayor Ford,
Commissioner Frank W. Collins and Commissioner C. H. (Cad) Smith. At
that time Collins was in charge of the department of accounts, finances,
public properties and parks. Smith headed the department of public
safety, streets and public improvements.
The two-story frame house at 1242 5th Ave. N., which the Ford family
occupied was built in 1890 and acquired by the Fords in 1895. The home
has changed ownership a number of times since the Fords resided there
and presently is owned by Mrs. Fatima Habhab, who with her late husband,
Allie, purchased the property in 1953.
[Illustration: The Ford home
1242 5th Avenue North]
Ford was prominent in Fort Dodge and Webster County affairs for many
years. He was born here in 1864 and when six years old moved with his
parents to a Jackson Township farm. He lived on the farm for 21 years
and then moved back to Fort Dodge. During his years on the farm Ford
taught school for 10 years during the winter months.
In 1893 Ford was appointed deputy county auditor under Auditor T. A.
Cunningham and served in that capacity for six years, then was elected
county auditor and served for another six years. Later he was interested
in the R. B. Berryhill store at the northwest corner of Central Avenue
and Eighth Street which sold books, stationery and had a complete
newsstand.
Ford was an outstanding bowler and a member of championship bowling
teams of Fort Dodge with other well-known men of his time.
Mr. and Mrs. Ford were the parents of a son and four daughters. They
were Howard, Mary, Charlotte, Helen and Alice.