Byington Ford
Byington Ford | |
---|---|
Lieutenant Byington Ford, ca. 1941 | |
Born |
Lewis Byington Ford November 1, 1890 Downieville, California, U.S. |
Died |
January 19, 1985 94) Ventura, California, U.S. | (aged
Occupation | Carmel Valley Developer |
Spouse(s) |
Marion Boisot Ruth Arlen |
Children |
Mary Jane Ford Patricia Reid Ford Audrey Ford |
Parents |
Tirey L. Ford Mary Emma Byington |
Lewis Byington Ford (November 1, 1890 - January 19, 1985) was born in Downieville, Sierra County, California, the son of Tirey L. Ford and Mary Emma Byington.
Early life
In 1916, Ford was Director of the Animated Film Corp in San Francisco, of which his father, Tirey L. Ford, was president. The company produced animated cartoons long before Walt Disney. Ford worked with Benjamin Thackston Knight (1895–1977), aka "Tack" Knight, Pinto Colvig and Angel Espoy. The endeavor ended with the entry of the U.S. into World War I.
Ford enlisted in the California National Guard and went to Officers Training Camp at the Presidio of San Francisco where he was commissioned and then sent to France during World War I. He was Captain in the 26th "Yankee" Division. In France, he trained at the St. Cyr cavalry school.[1]
On November 17, 1920, Ford married Marion Boisot in Pebble Beach, California. In 1931 he formed the Carmel Realty Company. He and his wife Marion had three children, Mary Jane, Patricia, and Audrey.
Later life
According to the Carmel Valley Historic Airport Society, "Convinced that mass production of small aircraft would put a plane within the reach of anyone who could afford a car, in the late 1930's Byington bought the northeast corner of Rancho Los Laureles for an airpark. He and his brother Tirey developed the Carmel Valley Airport for pilot-owners who would want to be at home a minute or two after getting out of their plane." [2]
In 1941, he enlisted in the Air force during World War II and became a Lieutenant Colonel. Established the 1st women's MP at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.
In 1946, Byington and his brother, Tirey Ford, developed the Carmel Valley Village and Airway Market, first known as the General Store, a barber shop, a drug store and soda fountain, a beauty shop, and a liquor store. All were in walking distance of the Airpark and decorated to resemble a Mexican village. The village is about 12 miles from the mouth of Carmel Valley Village, California.[3]
In 1955, he wrote a sketch book called "A Cartoon Sketch Book for Beginners." [4]
Death
On January 19, 1985, at age 94, Ford died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Ventura, California.[5]
References
- ↑ World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
- ↑ Carmel Valley Historical Society.,
- ↑ Monterey County California Regional Guide
- ↑ Sketch Book by Byington Ford
- ↑ California Death Index and Social Security Death Index.