A.C. FORD is one of the pioneers of the lumber industry of the state, and came to Jefferson, Texas, in 1891, during the same year in which he had received his degree from Vanderbilt University and started in the lumber business in that historic East Texas town. Mr. Ford is president of the Oakhurst Lumber Company of Oakhurst, San Jacinto County, and is also president of the Walker County Lumber Company at Elmina, Walker County, and has large planing mills in connection with this business. His Houston office is located in the Second National Bank Building, from which he manages his numerous business affairs. He has devoted his entire business life to the lumber industry and knows lumber as few men know it, besides being one of the leading executives in this line of business in the state.

Mr. Ford was born in Marion County, South Carolina, August 16th, 1870. His father, A. H. Ford, also a native of South Carolina, during his lifetime made this state his home, where he was well known in the business circles throughout his native state. His mother was Miss Elizabeth Smith, a member of a prominent South Carolina family. His education was obtained at Vanderbilt University, graduating from this institution in the class of 1891 with the A. B. degree. During the same year of his graduation, Mr. Ford came to Texas and started his business career in the lumber business, which has grown to be one of the largest interests in the state. He remained at Jefferson. Texas, for five years and then removed to Fort Worth, where he continued in the lumber business for a period of twelve years, when he removed to Houston.

Mr. Ford was married at Jefferson, Texas, in 1895 to Miss May Ward, a native of the Lone Star State and a daughter of S. M. Ward, a well known banker and capitalist of Jefferson. They have three children, Ward, twenty-five years of age, a graduate of the University of Texas and now operating with the lumber firm of Ford and Jarvis; Sarah Ford, twenty-three years of age, and a graduate of Wellesley College in the class of 1923, and Sam, twenty years of age, learning the lumber business under the able guidance and tutelage of his father's firms. Mr. and Mrs. Ford reside at the Beaconsfield Apartments. Mr. Ford is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a Shriner of this Order and a Knight Templar. He is also a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Houston Club, Houston Country Club, River Oaks Country Club and the University Club, of which he is past president and of which he is one of the organizers. Mr. Ford is a gentleman of the old school, highly educated and a great believer in education, and is a constant worker for the furtherance of same. He has met with great success during his business life, which he attributes to close attention to the details of business and service given to his many customers and friends. His mature experience, wise counsel and sterling qualities of character and high ideals have always been an inspiration to his children and his friends. Mr. Ford is chairman of the City Civil Service Commission, a trustee of the Houston Art League, and active in the general civic and social affairs of Houston.