George W. Ford was a career national cemetery superintendent and civil rights activist whose headstone at Camp Butler National Cemetery, IL, reads "Supt. of this cemetery for 24 years," but reveals nothing of his remarkable life. Born a free Black in 1847, he became one of the first African Americans appointed as a national cemetery superintendent, a career that spanned over a half century.

Ford's grandfather was President George Washington's personal attendant, and as a boy he sold pictures to tourists outside Mount Vernon. At 20 he joined the 10th U.S. Cavalry. Ford later reflected: "[I] am the only living survivor of the original regiment...who marched away Buffalo Soldiers (9th cavalry) toward the Rio Grande, 1,225 strong in 1867."

First Sgt. Ford was honorably discharged in 1877 with high praise. His commander recommended him for a civilian job as an assistant at Chattanooga National Cemetery, TN. His duties, allegedly, were limited to burial sections of Black soldiers. He was soon transferred to Beaufort National Cemetery, SC, as superintendent after white predecessors complained about the unhealthy climate. Ford and his family lived there until 1894. He subsequently worked at Fort Scott, KS, and Port Hudson, LA, before settling in Illinois in 1905. He retired from Camp Butler National Cemetery in 1930.

Ford left his cemetery post once, to fight in the Spanish-American War. Maj. Ford went to Cuba with the 23rd Kansas Volunteers, commanded by Teddy Roosevelt. As a result he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1899, where Roosevelt was nominated as vice president. In 1905, Ford lobbied for civil rights as a charter member of the Niagara Movement. He died on June 20, 1939.

Vantage Point glog:  https://news.va.gov/45829/buffalo-soldier-makes-history-serving-as-superintendent-of-va-cemeteries/

George Ford is a Notable burial at https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/campbutler.asp.

George W. Ford was a career national cemetery superintendent and civil rights activist whose headstone at Camp Butler National Cemetery, IL, reads “Supt. of this cemetery for 24 years,” reveals nothing of his remarkable life. Born a free black in 1847, he became one of the first African Americans appointed as a national cemetery superintendent, a career that spanned over a half century. Ford left his cemetery post once, to fight in the Spanish-American War. Major Ford went to Cuba with the 23rd Kansas Volunteers, commanded by Teddy Roosevelt. As a result he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1899, where Roosevelt was nominated as vice president. In 1905, Ford lobbied for civil rights as a charter member of the Niagara Movement. He died on June 20, 1939, 

Additional information:
https://sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/?p=10819


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