Ford emigrated to the United States in 1848 with his parents, who settled in Chicago, Illinois.

He moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1859 and later to Colorado and Montana, states in which he engaged in mining.

He returned to Missouri and settled in Rochester, Andrew County, and engaged in mercantile pursuits.

Ford was elected a member of the State house of representatives in 1875.

He retired from active business and moved to Miltonvale, Kansas, where he died June 23, 1897.