★★★ Ford, John Salmon

John Salmon "Rip" Ford​

Born: May 26, 1815

Birthplace: Greenville, South Carolina

Father: William Ford

Mother: Harriet

Wife: Mary Davis (Divorced)

Wife: Louisa Swisher 1819 – 1846

(Buried: Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Texas)​

Children:

Mary Louisa Ford Maddox 1862 – 1916​

(Buried: Confederate Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas)​

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John W. Ford 1866 – 1880​

(Buried: Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Texas)​

Occupation before War:

Medical Doctor in Shelbyville, Tennessee​

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1836 – 1838: Served in the Texas Army​

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1838 – 1844: Medical Doctor in San Augustine, Texas​

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Texas Republic Representative​

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Owner and Editor of Texas National Register Newspaper​

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Served in the Mexican War rising to rank of Lt. And Adjutant​

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1852 – 1853: Texas State Senator​

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Editor of Southwestern American Newspaper ​

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1853: Established the Texas States Times Newspaper ​

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Served as Senior Captain in Texas State Troops​

Civil War Career:

1861: Delegate to Texas State Secession Convention​

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1861 – 1865: Colonel of 2nd​ Texas Cavalry Regiment​

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Confederate Commander of Rio Grande Military District​

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1862 – 1865: Texas Commandant of Conscription​

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1864: Recaptured Fort Brown in Texas​

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1865: led Confederate forces at Battle of Palmetto Ranch (last battle)​

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1865: Surrendered his command after Battle of Palmetto Ranch​

Occupation after War:

Guide for United States Army against Cow thieves and disturbs of peace​

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Correspondent for Galveston News Newspaper​

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Assistant Editor of Brownsville Ranchero Newspaper​

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Newspaper Writer for Brownsville Courier​

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Publisher and Editor of Brownsville Sentinel​

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1876 – 1879: Texas State Representative​

Died: November 3, 1897

Place of Death: San Antonio, Texas

Age at time of Death: 82 years old

Burial Place: Confederate Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas

Grave Location: Section 3 – Center – South Half – Lot 36

 

[Pollaco]

I was not aware this thread about Ford had even been posted.I must have somehow overlooked it somehow. I will send in a reply shortly.

 

[Pollaco]

When He was with the Texas rangers one of his duties was to report on men killed in action. His written reports contained the words "Rest In Peace"following his signature. He later abbreviated it to RIP to save time. His men picked up on the nickname and soon He was called Old Rip. He is in the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

 

[Pollaco]

Camp Ford the largest POW prison camp west of the Mississippi was named in Col. Ford's honor. It was located near Tyler. Texas.