Jump to content

Byington Ford: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Added hyperlink to Carmel Valley Historical Society.
→Career: added Purple Heart information per COI edit request
 
(40 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American cartoonist}}
{{short description|American cartoonist}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Notability|1=Biographies|date=December 2023}}
{{COI|date=December 2023}}
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Byington Ford
| name = Byington Ford
| image = Byington-Ford.jpg
| image = Byington-Ford.jpg
| imagesize = 200px
| imagesize = 200px
| caption = Lieutenant Byington Ford, ca. 1942
| caption = Ford, ca. 1942
| birth_name = Lewis Byington Ford
| birth_name = Lewis Byington Ford
| allegiance={{flag|United States of America|1917, 1942}}
| allegiance = {{flag|United States of America|1917, 1942}}
| branch=[[File:Seal of the United States Department of War.png|25px]] [[United States Army]]<br /> [[United States Air Force]]
| branch = [[File:Seal of the United States Department of War.png|25px]] [[United States Army]]<br /> [[United States Air Force]]
| serviceyears=1917–1919<br /> 1942–1943
| serviceyears = 1917–1919<br /> 1942–1943
| rank = {{plainlist|
| rank = {{plainlist|
* [[Captain (armed forces)]] (1917){{Efn|name="Ranks"|Ford was Captain during [[World War I]] and became Lieutenant colonel durinig [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109002946/returns-from-france/ |title=Capt. Byington Ford Returns From France|work=The San Francisco Examiner|place=San Francisco, California|date=10 Mar 1919|page=9|access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109003334/appointments-made/|title=Four Wright Field Appointments Made|work=Dayton Daily News |place=Dayton, Ohio|date=1945-07-20|page=14|access-date=2020-09-23}}</ref>}}
* [[Captain (armed forces)]] (1917){{Efn|name="Ranks"|Discharged from command-rank of Captain and re-enlisted at rank of Lieutenant colonel.}}
* [[Lieutenant colonel (US)]] (1942){{Efn|name="Ranks"}}
* [[Lieutenant colonel (US)]] (1942){{Efn|name="Ranks"}}
}}
}}
| commands=[[26th Infantry Division (United States)]]
| commands = [[26th Infantry Division (United States)]]
| battles = {{tree list}}
| battles = {{tree list}}
* [[World War I]]
* [[World War I]]
** [[Battle of the Argonne|Meuse-Argonne Campaign]]
** [[Battle of the Argonne|Meuse-Argonne Campaign]]
* [[World War II]]
* [[World War II]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1890|11|1}}
{{tree list/end}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1890|11|1}}
| birth_place = [[Downieville, California]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Downieville, California]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|mf=yes|1985|1|19|1890|11|1}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|mf=yes|1985|1|19|1890|11|1}}
| death_place = [[Ventura, California]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Ventura, California]], U.S.
| occupation = Carmel Valley Developer
| occupation = Carmel Valley Developer
| known_for = Developed the [[Carmel Valley Airport]] and [[Carmel Valley Village]]
| known_for = Developed the [[Carmel Valley Airport]] and [[Carmel Valley Village]]
| spouse = Marion Boisot<br />Ruth Arlen
| spouse = Marion Boisot<br />Ruth Arlen
| parents = [[Tirey L. Ford]]<br />Mary Emma Byington
| parents = [[Tirey L. Ford]]<br />Mary Emma Byington
| children = 3
| children = 3
| awards = [[Purple Heart]]
}}
}}
'''Lewis Byington Ford''' (November 1, 1890 – January 19, 1985) was a [[Monterey Peninsula]] real estate developer. He was a major force in developing [[Pebble Beach, California|Pebble Beach]] and [[Carmel Woods]]. Ford established the [[Carmel Valley Airport]], the first airpark of its kind in the United States,<ref name=Village/> and developed a nearby business district.<ref name=“Fink”>{{cite book|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Monterey_County/do8gAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Byington%20Ford|title=Monterey County: The Dramatic Story of its Past |last=Fink |first= Augusta |date= 2000 |page = 202 |publisher=Valley Publishers|access-date=2020-07-19 }}</ref> He created the Carmel Realty Company, was a [[cartoonist]], [[wikt:poloist|poloist]], baseball player, coach in the Carmel Abalone League, and acted in and directed over 45 plays. Ford was a major part of the social circle and society leader in the [[Monterey Peninsula]].<ref name="Career">{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/ccarm_003910/page/n9/mode/2up/search/Byington+Ford?q=The+fabulous+career+Byington+Ford |title=The fabulous career Byington Ford |last=Eisner |first=Judith A. |date=September 24, 1970 |website=archive.org |publisher=Carmel Pine Cone |access-date=2020-04-11 }}</ref> His ancestry dates back to the [[French Huguenots]].<ref name="Biography">{{cite book| last=Burdette| first=Robert J.|date=1910|title=American Biography & Genealogy, California Edition, Volume I|url=https://archive.org/details/americanbiograph01burd|location=Chicago, New York| publisher=The Lewis Publishing Company| pages=[https://archive.org/details/americanbiograph01burd/page/201 201]-207
'''Lewis Byington Ford''' (November 1, 1890 – January 19, 1985) was a [[Monterey Peninsula]] real estate developer who developed [[Pebble Beach, California|Pebble Beach]] and [[Carmel Woods]]. Ford established the [[Carmel Valley Airport]], the first airpark of its kind in the United States, and developed a nearby business district.<ref name=“Fink”>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=do8gAQAAIAAJ&q=Byington%20Ford|title=Monterey County: The Dramatic Story of its Past |last=Fink |first= Augusta |date= 2000 |page = 202 |publisher=Valley Publishers|isbn=9780913548622 |access-date=2020-07-19 }}</ref> He created the Carmel Realty Company, was a [[cartoonist]], [[wikt:poloist|poloist]], baseball player, coach in the Carmel Abalone League, and acted in and directed over 45 plays. Ford was involved in the social circle and society of [[Monterey Peninsula]].<ref name="Career">{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/ccarm_003910/page/n9/mode/2up/search/Byington+Ford?q=The+fabulous+career+Byington+Ford |title=The fabulous career Byington Ford |last=Eisner |first=Judith A. |date=September 24, 1970 |website=archive.org |publisher=Carmel Pine Cone |access-date=2020-04-11 }}</ref>
}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Byington Ford was born on November 1, 1890, in [[Downieville, California|Downieville]], [[Sierra County, California|Sierra County]], [[California]] to [[Tirey L. Ford]] and Mary Emma Byington. His father is a direct descended of [[French Huguenots]].<ref name="Biography">{{cite book| last=Burdette| first=Robert J.|date=1910|title=American Biography & Genealogy, California Edition, Volume I|url=https://archive.org/details/americanbiograph01burd|location=Chicago, New York| publisher=The Lewis Publishing Company| pages=[https://archive.org/details/americanbiograph01burd/page/201 201]-207}}</ref> His family moved to San Francisco in 1895, and they were still there at the time of the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake]] and fire.<ref name="Career"/>


⚫
Ford graduated from [[Santa Clara College]] in 1910 with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CBQ_AQAAMAAJ&dq=%22Santa+Clara+College%22+Byington+Ford&pg=RA10-PA21 |page=21|title=Catalogue of the College of California and College School|date=1913|work=University of California Press|access-date=2023-12-28}}</ref> He went on to get his master's from the [[University of California at Berkeley]], graduating in 1913, where he earned his [[Master of Arts]] degree.<ref name=“Obituary”>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/ccarm_004659?q=%22Byington+Ford%22|title=Byington Ford|work=Carmel Pine Cone|place=Carmel-by-the-Sea, California|date= 1985-01-31|access-date=2020-09-23}}</ref> The thesis for his master's degree was ''A History of the County Court of England from 1066-1307''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ford |first= Byington |date=1913 |title=A History Of The County Court Of England From 1066-1307 |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c2880451&view=image&seq=7 |location=|publisher=University of California }}</ref> Ford studied law at St. Ignatius Jesuit College, now the [[University of San Francisco]], but gave up the idea and instead went into real estate.<ref name=“Obituary”>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/ccarm_004659?q=%22Byington+Ford%22|title=Byington Ford|work=Carmel Pine Cone|place=Carmel-by-the-Sea, California|date= 1985-01-31|access-date=2020-09-23}}</ref>
Byington Ford was born on November 1, 1890, in [[Downieville, California|Downieville]], [[Sierra County, California|Sierra County]], [[California]] to [[Tirey L. Ford]] and Mary Emma Byington. His family moved to San Francisco in 1895. He experienced the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake]] and fire when he was fifteen years old.<ref name="Career"/>


On November 17, 1920, Ford married Marion Boisot<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-marriage/137485002/|title=Bridge Guest Of Honor At Luncheon|work=The San Francisco Examiner |place=San Francisco, California|date=November 21, 1920|page=1|access-date=2023-12-27}}</ref> in [[Pebble Beach, California]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/ccarm_001395/page/n9/mode/2up?q=%22Byington+Ford%22+%22Pebble+Beach%22|title=Bebble Beach Notes|work=Carmel Pine Cone |place=Carmel-by-the-Sea, California|date=June 15, 1922|page=10|access-date=2023-12-27}}</ref>
⚫
Ford graduated from [[Santa Clara College]] in 1910 with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree. At Santa Clara College, he acted in the ''Nazareth: The [[Passion Play]] of Santa Clara'' and was elected president of the debating team. He went on to get his masters from the [[University of California at Berkeley]], graduating in 1913, where he earned his [[Master of Arts]] degree.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/30263493?h=415d2f |title=Byington Ford in the U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016|work=University of California Berkeley|place=Berkeley, California, USA|date=1913|access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref> The thesis for his master's degree was ''A History of the County Court of England from 1066-1307''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ford |first= Byington |date=1913 |title=A History Of The County Court Of England From 1066-1307 |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c2880451&view=image&seq=7 |location=California |publisher=University of California }}</ref> Ford studied law at St. Ignatius Jesuit College, now the [[University of San Francisco]], but gave up the idea of practicing law and instead went into the real estate.<ref name=“Obituary”>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/ccarm_004659?q=%22Byington+Ford%22|title=Byington Ford|work=Carmel Pine Cone|place=Carmel-by-the-Sea, California|date= 1985-01-31|access-date=2020-09-23}}</ref>


⚫
On February 22, 1937, Ford married his second wife, Ruth Austin Mattimore, in [[Reno, Nevada]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91625205/ruth-marries-ford/|title=Movie Actor's First Wife Weds Byington Ford|work=Oakland Tribune|place=Oakland, California|date=22 Feb 1937|page=1|access-date=2022-01-01}}</ref>
On November 17, 1920, Ford married Marion Boisot in [[Pebble Beach, California]], where he built their home on [[17-Mile Drive]] two years later. He had three children: Mary Jane, Patricia and Audrey Ford.

⚫
On February 22, 1937, Ford married his second wife, Ruth Austin Mattimore, in [[Reno, Nevada]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91625205/ruth-marries-ford/|title=Movie Actor's First Wife Weds Byington Ford|work=Oakland Tribune
|place=Oakland, California|date=22 Feb 1937|page=1|access-date=2022-01-01}}</ref>

==Animated Film Corporation==
[[File:Animated Film Corporation.jpg|thumb|Animated Film Corporation, ca. 1916.]]


==Career==
In 1916, Ford was director of the Animated Film Corporation in San Francisco, of which his father, [[Tirey L. Ford]], was president. The endeavor ended with the entry of the U.S. into [[World War I]].<ref name="Career"/>
In 1916, Ford was director of the Animated Film Corporation in San Francisco, of which his father, [[Tirey L. Ford]], was president. The endeavor ended with the entry of the U.S. into [[World War I]].<ref name="Career"/>


==Military==
===Military===
In 1917, Ford enlisted in the [[California National Guard]] and went to Officers Training Camp at the [[Presidio of San Francisco]] where he was commissioned and then sent to France during [[World War I]]. He was captain in the [[26th Infantry Division (United States)|26th "Yankee" Division]]. In [[France]], he trained at the Saint-Cyr cavalry school.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.archives.gov/research/military/ww1/draft-registration |title=World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 |work=Archieves.gov|date=}}</ref> He was in the engagements of [[Château-Thierry]], [[Saint-Mihiel]] and the [[Toul]] sector. On March 10, 1919, Ford returned home after recuperating from a poison gas attack suffered during an advance in [[Troyon]], France. Ford saw active service practically the whole time he was in France. He brought a detachment of soldiers to New York from France.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109002946/returns-from-france/ |title=Capt. Byington Ford Returns From France|work=The San Francisco Examiner|place=San Francisco, California|date=10 Mar 1919|page=9|access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref>
In 1917, Ford enlisted in the [[California National Guard]] and went to Officers Training Camp at the [[Presidio of San Francisco]] where he was commissioned and then sent to France during [[World War I]]. In [[France]], he trained at the Saint-Cyr cavalry school.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.archives.gov/research/military/ww1/draft-registration |title=World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 |work=Archieves.gov|date=August 15, 2016}}</ref> He was captain in the [[102nd Field Artillery Regiment]] of the [[26th Infantry Division (United States)|26th "Yankee" Division]]. He fought at the [[Battle of Saint-Mihiel]], the [[Second Battle of the Marne]], the engagement<!-- Discussed in the article [[26th Infantry Division (United States)]] --> of June 16 at [[Xivray-et-Marvoisin]], the [[Meuse–Argonne offensive]], among other engagements.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109002946/returns-from-france/ |title=Capt. Byington Ford Returns From France|work=The San Francisco Examiner|place=San Francisco, California|date=10 Mar 1919|page=9|access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref> On March 10, 1919, Ford returned home after recuperating from a poison gas attack suffered in an advance on [[Troyon]], France, during the Meuse–Argonne offensive. He brought a detachment of soldiers from France back to New York.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109002946/returns-from-france/ |title=Capt. Byington Ford Returns From France|work=The San Francisco Examiner|place=San Francisco, California|date=10 Mar 1919|page=9|access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref> He was awarded the [[Purple Heart]] for injuries suffered in action.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 20, 1943 |title=Post Assigned Major Ford |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-herald-purple-heart/142473788/ |access-date=June 3, 2024 |work=[[Dayton Daily News|The Journal Herald]] |location=Dayton, Ohio |pages=13}}</ref>


In 1941, Ford enlisted in the U.S. Army [[air force]] during [[World War II]] and became a [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109003237/troop-executive/|title=Maj. Ford Name Troop Executive|work=Dayton Daily News |place=Dayton, Ohio|date=1943-11-21|page=11|access-date=2020-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109003334/appointments-made/|title=Four Wright Field Appointments Made|work=Dayton Daily News |place=Dayton, Ohio|date=1945-07-20|page=14|access-date=2020-09-23}}</ref>
In 1941, Ford enlisted in the U.S. Army [[air force]] during [[World War II]] and became a [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109003237/troop-executive/|title=Maj. Ford Name Troop Executive|work=Dayton Daily News |place=Dayton, Ohio|date=1943-11-21|page=11|access-date=2020-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109003334/appointments-made/|title=Four Wright Field Appointments Made|work=Dayton Daily News |place=Dayton, Ohio|date=1945-07-20|page=14|access-date=2020-09-23}}</ref>


==Politics==
===Post-war===
While living in Carmel, Ford became involved in local politics. On August 25, 1934, speakers of the Carmel citizens' committee directly accused the [[John Reed Clubs]] of being a communistic organization. Ford, chairman of the committee, read reports from the national committees and showed charts seized in recently raided communist headquarters. Ford headed the citizens' committee to oppose the JRC and their activities.<ref>{{cite news |date=1934-08-25 |title=Carmel Citizens Attack Reed Clubs|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53127636/1934-08-25-byington-fordsalinas/|work=Salinas Morning Post |location=Salinas, California |access-date=2020-06-09 }}</ref>
While living in Carmel, Ford became involved in local politics. On August 25, 1934, speakers of the Carmel citizens' committee accused the [[John Reed Clubs]] of being a communistic organization. Ford, chairman of the committee, read reports from the national committees and showed charts seized in recently raided communist headquarters. Ford headed the citizens' committee to oppose the JRC and their activities.<ref>{{cite news |date=1934-08-25 |title=Carmel Citizens Attack Reed Clubs|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53127636/1934-08-25-byington-fordsalinas/|work=Salinas Morning Post |location=Salinas, California |access-date=2020-06-09 }}</ref>


In 1919, working with [[Samuel Finley Brown Morse]], Ford became manager at the Del Monte Properties in [[Pebble Beach, California]], heading their real estate department for twelve years. He rode horseback through the undeveloped parts of [[Del Monte Forest, California|Del Monte Forest]] to survey the land for development.<ref name="Career" /> In 1931 he formed the Carmel Realty Company.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/ccarm_001987/page/n13/mode/2up/search/The+Carmel+Realty+Company |title= Announcement|date=1933 |website= archive.org |publisher= Carmel Pine Cone|access-date= 2020-04-11}}</ref> During August 1934, Byington Ford was a member of the executive committee of Carmel’s American Legion Post No. 512, actively involved as the post sought its provisional charter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/ccarm_002030/page/n49/mode/2up?q=%22Byington+Ford%22+%22Charter%22 |title=Regan Commander of Legion Post |work=Carmel Sun|date=August 8, 1934|page=2|access-date=2024-02-28}}</ref> On July 9, 1935, he was elected post commander.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/ccarm_007999/mode/2up?q=%22Byington+Ford%22+%22Post+No.+512%22 |title=Carmel Legion Elects Byington Ford|work=Carmel Sun|date=July 9, 1935|page=1|access-date=2024-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://californiarevealed.org/do/ff5a3943-8265-46e3-beb1-e1da81223e0f#mode/1up/search/carmel-by-the-Sea|title= American Legion Post 512 Carmel-By-The Sea Scrapbook|page=14|website= www.californiarevealed.org |access-date=2024-02-28}}</ref>
==Real estate==
In 1919, working with [[Samuel Finley Brown Morse]], Ford became manager at the Del Monte Properties in [[Pebble Beach, California]], heading their real estate department for twelve years. He rode horseback through the undeveloped parts of [[Del Monte Forest, California|Del Monte Forest]] to survey the land for development.<ref name="Career" /> In 1931 he formed the Carmel Realty Company.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/ccarm_001987/page/n13/mode/2up/search/The+Carmel+Realty+Company |title= Announcement|date=1933 |website= archive.org |publisher= Carmel Pine Cone|access-date= 2020-04-11}}</ref>


[[File:Carmel Valley Airport.jpg|thumb|Carmel Valley Airport]]
[[File:Carmel Valley Airport.jpg|thumb|Carmel Valley Airport]]
Ford developed the first [[airpark]] in Carmel Valley. According to the Carmel Valley Historic Airport Society, "Convinced that mass production of small aircraft would put a plane within the reach of anyone who could afford a car, in the late 1930s Byington bought the northeast corner of Rancho Los Laureles for an airpark."<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dWGDAQAACAAJ |title=A History of the Carmel Valley Vintage Airfield: 1941-2002 |date=2016 |publisher=Carmel Valley Historical Society |language=en}}</ref> He and his brother Tirey Ford developed the [[Carmel Valley Airport]] for pilot-owners. A nearby road was named after him called ''Ford Road''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://carmelmagazine.com/2014/05|title=Carmel Valley Air Park |work=Carmel Magazine|date=2014|access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref> Ford constructed the first two "hangar homes" when he opened the air park to the public on December 7, 1941.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109003963/first-airpark/|title=Living at Runway's Edge|work=The Los Angeles Times|place=Los Angeles, California|date=3 Jul 2001|page=46|access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref> In 1954, Ford retired, and Peter Delfino purchased the Carmel Valley Airport property for $35,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109007414/carmel-valley/|title=Carmel Valley|work=The Californian|place=Salinas, California|date=February 15, 1954|page=9|access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref>


⚫
In 1946, Byington and his brother developed the [[Carmel Valley Village, California|Carmel Valley Village]] and Airway Market, first known as the General Store, which included a barber shop, drug store, soda fountain, beauty shop and liquor store; all were in walking distance of the Airpark. Artist [[Bruce Ariss]] painted murals on each store to resemble a Spanish village.<ref name=“Fink”/>
Ford developed the first [[airpark]] in Carmel Valley. According to the Carmel Valley Historic Airport Society, "Convinced that mass production of small aircraft would put a plane within the reach of anyone who could afford a car, in the late 1930s Byington bought the northeast corner of Rancho Los Laureles for an airpark."<ref name=Village>{{cite web |url=https://carmelvalleyhistoricalsociety.org/product/a-history-of-the-carmel-valley-vintage-airfield/ |title=Carmel Valley Vintage Airfield 1941-2002 |last=Allaire |first= Lou |date=2014 |website= carmelvalleyhistoricalsociety.org |publisher=[[Carmel Valley Historical Society]] |access-date=2020-04-22 }}</ref>


⚫
In 1955, he wrote a sketch book called ''A Cartoon Sketch Book for Beginners''.<ref>{{cite book |oclc=1285712016|last=Ford |first= Byington |date=1955 |title= A Cartoon Sketch Book For Beginners}}</ref>
He and his brother Tirey Ford developed the [[Carmel Valley Airport]] for pilot-owners who would want to be at home a minute or two after getting out of their plane. A nearby road was named after him called ''Ford Road''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://carmelmagazine.com/2014/05|title=Carmel Valley Air Park |work=Carmel Magazine|date=2014|access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref> Ford constructed the first two "hangar homes" when he opened the air park to the public on December 7, 1941; his timing proved unfortunate as this was the same day [[Pearl Harbor]] was bombed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109003963/first-airpark/|title=Living at Runway's Edge|work=The Los Angeles Times|place=Los Angeles, California|date=3 Jul 2001|page=46|access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref>

In 1954, Ford retired and Peter Delfino purchased the Carmel Valley Airport property for $35,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109007414/carmel-valley/|title=Carmel Valley|work=The Californian|place=Salinas, California|date=February 15, 1954|page=9|access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref> In December 2020, Mary Delifno sold the Carmel Valley Airfield land to a local nursery owner, Griggs Nursery, with plans to use the area not for housing but to grow plants for retail sale.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shalev|first=Asaf|title=Carmel Valley airfield property sold to local nursery owner.|url=https://www.montereycountyweekly.com/blogs/news_blog/carmel-valley-airfield-property-sold-to-local-nursery-owner/article_ed822fbc-35a4-11eb-8c78-b31fd0ed9deb.html|access-date=2020-12-04|website=Monterey County Weekly|language=en}}</ref>

⚫
In 1946, Byington and his brother, Tirey Ford, Jr., developed the [[Carmel Valley Village, California|Carmel Valley Village]] and Airway Market, first known as the General Store, which featured a barber shop, drug store, soda fountain, beauty shop and liquor store; all were in walking distance of the Airpark. Artist [[Bruce Ariss]] painted murals on each store to resemble a Spanish village.<ref name=“Fink”/>

==Later life==
⚫
In 1955, he wrote a sketch book called ''A Cartoon Sketch Book for Beginners.''<ref>{{cite book |url=https://worldcat.org/en/title/1285712016|last= Ford |first= Byington |date=1955 |title= A Cartoon Sketch Book For Beginners|location=Carmel Valley, California }}</ref>


==Death==
==Death==
⚫
On January 19, 1985, Ford died of [[pancreatic cancer]] at his home in Ventura, California.<ref name=“Obituary”/>


⚫
== Notes ==
⚫
On January 19, 1985, at age 94, Ford died of [[pancreatic cancer]] at his home in Ventura, California.<ref name=“Obituary”/>
{{notelist}}

⚫
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}


==References==
==References==
Line 97: Line 90:
[[Category:United States Military Academy alumni]]
[[Category:United States Military Academy alumni]]
[[Category:People from Downieville, California]]
[[Category:People from Downieville, California]]
[[Category:People from Carmel-by-the-Sea, California]]
[[Category:Artists from Carmel-by-the-Sea, California]]
[[Category:Aviators from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Aviators from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Military personnel from California]]
[[Category:Military personnel from California]]

Latest revision as of 18:18, 3 June 2024

Byington Ford
Ford, ca. 1942
Personal details
Born
Lewis Byington Ford

(1890-11-01)November 1, 1890
Downieville, California, U.S.
DiedJanuary 19, 1985(1985-01-19) (aged 94)
Ventura, California, U.S.
Spouse(s)Marion Boisot
Ruth Arlen
Children3
Parent(s)Tirey L. Ford
Mary Emma Byington
OccupationCarmel Valley Developer
Known forDeveloped the Carmel Valley Airport and Carmel Valley Village
AwardsPurple Heart
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/service United States Army
United States Air Force
Years of service1917–1919
1942–1943
Rank
Commands26th Infantry Division (United States)
Battles/wars

Lewis Byington Ford (November 1, 1890 – January 19, 1985) was a Monterey Peninsula real estate developer who developed Pebble Beach and Carmel Woods. Ford established the Carmel Valley Airport, the first airpark of its kind in the United States, and developed a nearby business district.[3] He created the Carmel Realty Company, was a cartoonist, poloist, baseball player, coach in the Carmel Abalone League, and acted in and directed over 45 plays. Ford was involved in the social circle and society of Monterey Peninsula.[4]

Early life

[edit]

Byington Ford was born on November 1, 1890, in Downieville, Sierra County, California to Tirey L. Ford and Mary Emma Byington. His father is a direct descended of French Huguenots.[5] His family moved to San Francisco in 1895, and they were still there at the time of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.[4]

Ford graduated from Santa Clara College in 1910 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.[6] He went on to get his master's from the University of California at Berkeley, graduating in 1913, where he earned his Master of Arts degree.[7] The thesis for his master's degree was A History of the County Court of England from 1066-1307.[8] Ford studied law at St. Ignatius Jesuit College, now the University of San Francisco, but gave up the idea and instead went into real estate.[7]

On November 17, 1920, Ford married Marion Boisot[9] in Pebble Beach, California.[10]

On February 22, 1937, Ford married his second wife, Ruth Austin Mattimore, in Reno, Nevada.[11]

Career

[edit]

In 1916, Ford was director of the Animated Film Corporation in San Francisco, of which his father, Tirey L. Ford, was president. The endeavor ended with the entry of the U.S. into World War I.[4]

Military

[edit]

In 1917, Ford enlisted in the California National Guard and went to Officers Training Camp at the Presidio of San Francisco where he was commissioned and then sent to France during World War I. In France, he trained at the Saint-Cyr cavalry school.[12] He was captain in the 102nd Field Artillery Regiment of the 26th "Yankee" Division. He fought at the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, the Second Battle of the Marne, the engagement of June 16 at Xivray-et-Marvoisin, the Meuse–Argonne offensive, among other engagements.[13] On March 10, 1919, Ford returned home after recuperating from a poison gas attack suffered in an advance on Troyon, France, during the Meuse–Argonne offensive. He brought a detachment of soldiers from France back to New York.[14] He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries suffered in action.[15]

In 1941, Ford enlisted in the U.S. Army air force during World War II and became a lieutenant colonel.[16][17]

Post-war

[edit]

While living in Carmel, Ford became involved in local politics. On August 25, 1934, speakers of the Carmel citizens' committee accused the John Reed Clubs of being a communistic organization. Ford, chairman of the committee, read reports from the national committees and showed charts seized in recently raided communist headquarters. Ford headed the citizens' committee to oppose the JRC and their activities.[18]

In 1919, working with Samuel Finley Brown Morse, Ford became manager at the Del Monte Properties in Pebble Beach, California, heading their real estate department for twelve years. He rode horseback through the undeveloped parts of Del Monte Forest to survey the land for development.[4] In 1931 he formed the Carmel Realty Company.[19] During August 1934, Byington Ford was a member of the executive committee of Carmel’s American Legion Post No. 512, actively involved as the post sought its provisional charter.[20] On July 9, 1935, he was elected post commander.[21][22]

Carmel Valley Airport

Ford developed the first airpark in Carmel Valley. According to the Carmel Valley Historic Airport Society, "Convinced that mass production of small aircraft would put a plane within the reach of anyone who could afford a car, in the late 1930s Byington bought the northeast corner of Rancho Los Laureles for an airpark."[23] He and his brother Tirey Ford developed the Carmel Valley Airport for pilot-owners. A nearby road was named after him called Ford Road.[24] Ford constructed the first two "hangar homes" when he opened the air park to the public on December 7, 1941.[25] In 1954, Ford retired, and Peter Delfino purchased the Carmel Valley Airport property for $35,000.[26]

In 1946, Byington and his brother developed the Carmel Valley Village and Airway Market, first known as the General Store, which included a barber shop, drug store, soda fountain, beauty shop and liquor store; all were in walking distance of the Airpark. Artist Bruce Ariss painted murals on each store to resemble a Spanish village.[3]

In 1955, he wrote a sketch book called A Cartoon Sketch Book for Beginners.[27]

Death

[edit]

On January 19, 1985, Ford died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Ventura, California.[7]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Ford was Captain during World War I and became Lieutenant colonel durinig World War II.[1][2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Capt. Byington Ford Returns From France". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. March 10, 1919. p. 9. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  2. ^ "Four Wright Field Appointments Made". Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. July 20, 1945. p. 14. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Fink, Augusta (2000). Monterey County: The Dramatic Story of its Past. Valley Publishers. p. 202. ISBN 9780913548622. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d Eisner, Judith A. (September 24, 1970). "The fabulous career Byington Ford". archive.org. Carmel Pine Cone. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  5. ^ Burdette, Robert J. (1910). American Biography & Genealogy, California Edition, Volume I. Chicago, New York: The Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 201-207.
  6. ^ "Catalogue of the College of California and College School". University of California Press. 1913. p. 21. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Byington Ford". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. January 31, 1985. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  8. ^ Ford, Byington (1913). A History Of The County Court Of England From 1066-1307. University of California.
  9. ^ "Bridge Guest Of Honor At Luncheon". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. November 21, 1920. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  10. ^ "Bebble Beach Notes". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. June 15, 1922. p. 10. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  11. ^ "Movie Actor's First Wife Weds Byington Ford". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. February 22, 1937. p. 1. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  12. ^ "World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918". Archieves.gov. August 15, 2016.
  13. ^ "Capt. Byington Ford Returns From France". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. March 10, 1919. p. 9. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  14. ^ "Capt. Byington Ford Returns From France". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. March 10, 1919. p. 9. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  15. ^ "Post Assigned Major Ford". The Journal Herald. Dayton, Ohio. November 20, 1943. p. 13. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  16. ^ "Maj. Ford Name Troop Executive". Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. November 21, 1943. p. 11. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  17. ^ "Four Wright Field Appointments Made". Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. July 20, 1945. p. 14. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  18. ^ "Carmel Citizens Attack Reed Clubs". Salinas Morning Post. Salinas, California. August 25, 1934. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  19. ^ "Announcement". archive.org. Carmel Pine Cone. 1933. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  20. ^ "Regan Commander of Legion Post". Carmel Sun. August 8, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  21. ^ "Carmel Legion Elects Byington Ford". Carmel Sun. July 9, 1935. p. 1. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  22. ^ "American Legion Post 512 Carmel-By-The Sea Scrapbook". www.californiarevealed.org. p. 14. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  23. ^ A History of the Carmel Valley Vintage Airfield: 1941-2002. Carmel Valley Historical Society. 2016.
  24. ^ "Carmel Valley Air Park". Carmel Magazine. 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  25. ^ "Living at Runway's Edge". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. July 3, 2001. p. 46. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  26. ^ "Carmel Valley". The Californian. Salinas, California. February 15, 1954. p. 9. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  27. ^ Ford, Byington (1955). A Cartoon Sketch Book For Beginners. OCLC 1285712016.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Byington Ford.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Byington_Ford&oldid=1227100681"