John James Ford (1846-1928)
LONDON-born John James Ford joined the Great Northern Railway Company at Hatfield in 1861, and at the age of only 21 was appointed Grantham’s first station master.
From there he went to King’s Cross station, where he was private secretary to Sir Henry Oakley, GNR’s general manager.
He returned to Grantham to become colliery agent and later manager for W Clarke and Co, the town’s prominent coal merchants. He retired in 1900.
He lived at Beacon Lodge, Harrowby Road.
A keen Conservative, although he never went into local politics, he held firm views.
He once caused a sensation when he interrupted Vicar of St Wulfram, Canon Carr-Smith’s sermon saying: “I’m here to hear the word of God, not politics.”
He enjoyed playing bowls, was a member of the Town and County Club, and a freemason.
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