George William Ford

George William Ford was a U.S. military officer in the Spanish American War and a Buffalo Soldier. Born in Alexandria, Virginia, at George Washington's Mount Vernon Plantation, he joined the 10th Cavalry in 1867 at age 19.

Ford was assigned to Company L. He and his fellow troops protected railroad working crews, and escorted stages and supply wagons.

Ford died in 1939 in Springfield, Illinois, at the age of 91. He was honored with a full military funeral and buried at Camp Butler National Cemetery. He was the last surviving member of the original 10th United States Cavalry.

Early life Ford was born on November 23, 1847. He was the son of William West and Henrietta Bruce Ford, who were both born free. Ford was the grandson of West Ford, who, in Ford’s oral history, is the African-American son of George Washington. West Ford's story is detailed in the narrative nonfiction book, I Cannot Tell a Lie: The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendants.

All the Ford offspring were educated along with the Washington children at the Mount Vernon Schoolhouse. Ford and his brothers became guardians of the first president's tomb, a position that was handed down to their sons. At the age of 19, he enlisted with the legendary 10th Cavalry, Company L. He was stationed at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas for his basic training. His commanding officer was Colonel Benjamin Grierson, who was one of the foremost cavalry officers of the Civil War.

The 10th Cavalry's focus during Ford’s enlistment was keeping the peace between the settlers and the confederated tribes.

Spanish-American War

Ford was 50 years old when he voluntarily enlisted for the Spanish-American War with the rank of major with the Second Battalion of 23rd Kansas Volunteers.

Later life In 1879, Ford married Harriet Bythewood. The couple had eight children: George Jr., James Irwin, Noel Bertram, Elise, Vera, Harriet, Cecil Bruce, and Donald.

Ford died in 1939 at 91 of bronchial pneumonia at his home in Springfield, Illinois. He was honored with a full military funeral, and is buried at Camp Butler National Cemetery.