John H. Ford was born around 1841 in Indiana to Nathaniel and Sarah Ford. His father was a bricklayer. He grew up and attended school in White River, Indiana, and by 1860, he was working as a farmer. He enlisted in the Union army on September 5, 1861, and mustered in as a private in Company G of the 8^th Indiana Infantry later that day.

 

He deserted the army around November 2, 1862, and did not return to his regiment until January 18, 1864. He faced a court martial later that spring, and they sentenced him to “forfeit one years pay and allowances, and to serve Six months at hard labor on Government works…[and] serve one year as a soldier after the expiration of his present term of enlistment.” The army transferred him to Company E of the 69^th Indiana Infantry, and he mustered out on June 14, 1865. He probably returned to Indiana after the war, and he died around 1923.

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