Julia Tod Ford, 1807-1885

Julia Tod Ford played a key role in Akron through her involvement in the Ladies Cemetery Association and the temperance crusade of 1874. In addition, she raised seven children who continued her legacy, serving the community for years.

Born in Youngstown, Julia Tod was the daughter of a judge. She married James Ford, who was a judge in the Akron area. Two of her sisters, Mary Tod Evans and Grace Perkins, also lived in Akron.

At the urging of her sisters, Ford played an instrumental role in the continued development of the Ladies Cemetery Association in Akron. In 1866, the organization began to raise funds for the Akron Rural Cemetery by sponsoring social events. The supporters of the Ladies Cemetery Association wanted their final resting place to have beautifully manicured grounds. Given that this could be accomplished with the assistance of a live-in groundskeeper, Ford and other members raised funds for the construction of a groundskeeper's residence.

In 1874, Ford turned her attention to the temperance movement. Ford signed the call for the rally for temperance in 1874. That meeting led to the now famous Temperance Crusade of 1874 where Akron women visited saloons and prayed in the streets in an attempt to close down the liquor traffic in the city.

Ford continued to serve the Akron community until her death in 1885.

--Angela Abel