Melbourne Haddock FORD, Congress, MI (1849-1891)

FORD, Melbourne Haddock, a Representative from Michigan; born in Salem, Washtenaw County, Mich., June 30, 1849; moved to Lansing with his parents in 1859; attended the common schools and the Michigan State College of Agriculture at East Lansing; enlisted in the United States Navy in 1864, and in 1867 was appointed a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.; resigned the following year and returned to Lansing; moved to Grand Rapids in 1873 and was engaged as official stenographer of several municipal, State, and Federal courts; studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1878; member of the State house of representatives in 1885 and 1886; elected as a Democrat to the Fiftieth Congress (March 4, 1887-March 3, 1889); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1888 to the Fifty-first Congress; commenced the practice of law at Grand Rapids in 1889; chairman of the Democratic State convention in 1890; elected to the Fifty-second Congress and served from March 4, 1891, until his death in Grand Rapids, Mich., April 20, 1891; interment in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present