Harness Maker Ford Was Longtime Cedar Street Resident; Enlarged Brick House Was Home To Many Over The Years - Chattanoogan.com

2022-07-23 03:53:39 By : Ms. Nic Lee

The Civil War veteran William H. "Buck" Ford occupied one of the first homes built on Cameron Hill's Cedar Street. Ford, who was in the harness, saddle and buggy business for many years, was living there in the early 1880s when Cameron Hill was not very thickly populated. 

The three-story substantial brick house was on the downhill side of Cedar at 608. Around 1906, the house was enlarged with a matching portion at 606 Cedar.

Ford, who lived in Chattanooga for 55 years and was a familiar face around town, was first the foreman for Shelton & Howard harness and saddles. He was also involved with Tittle-Dickey produce. W. Howard Tittle, who had married Ford's niece, lived in the 606 Cedar portion.

Afterward, Ford went into partnership with L.G. Gillespie. Gillespie-Ford Company handled buggies as well as harnesses and saddles at 173 Market St. The location was just down Cameron Hill from the Ford home.

Ford later worked with Fred Wallace's buggy company as well as the Globe Saddlery Works. He was active at Centenary Methodist Church.

Buck Ford lived for many years on Cedar Street, but by 1930 he had moved in with his niece, Mrs. W.H. Tittle, at 2200 Union Ave. in Highland Park. In November of that year, he took a fall down her cellar steps and died a few hours later.

M.L. Brown took over at 608 Cedar, renting to Curtis Smith and Leon Cooper. By 1941, W.H. Kistler held sway. His renters were Mrs. G.H. Douglas, Harry Frazier Jr. and J.A. Dearing.

By 1955, with Urban Renewal looming, the 608 side was divided into four apartments and a basement. Occupants were J.E. Williams, J.B. Johnson, Miss Corrine Nixon, Mrs. E.B. Bailey and with Miss Helen Watts and Mrs. R.S. Bunch in the basement. 

M. Lee Brown, a carpenter, and his wife Maude took over the 608 side. Their renters included Curtis Smith and Leon Cooper. 

John Bogenshott, who ran the Stag Hotel on E. Eighth Street with A.W. Stanley, lived at 606 Cedar soon after it was completed. The Stag Hotel was "for men only."

Jacob Steiner had moved into 606 Cedar by 1910. He was originally from Hungary and had come to the U.S. at an early age. He lived at Jackson, Ms. before coming to Chattanooga during the Boom times of 1887. He was a merchant and an active worker for Jewish welfare. Steiner was still on Cameron Hill - but at 416 W. Sixth St. - when he died in 1924.

William G. Broome, the store manager for A&P Tea Co., lived at 606 Cedar during the 1930s and rented a section to Andrew Foster.

By the start of World War I, Mrs. R.S. Allred was there along with Mrs. W.A. Wallace. A.E. Harris was on the second floor and W.D. Allred in the basement of the spacious house.

This was about the time that Missouri "Zura"  Douglas moved into 606 Cedar. A native of Bledsoe County, his wife also had an unusual name - Grady Wilson Humble. Zura was the son of John and Angeline Goins Douglas.

Zura, who worked for the O.B. Andrews Co., earlier had lived at 514 Pine St. 

The Douglas couple lived there for many years and had many renters. In 1948, they were housing C.L. Chadwick, Mrs. R.H. Pelham, Miss Ollie Gray and Mrs. J.R. Long. In 1955, as the end for Cameron Hill approached, the renters were Mrs. K.L. Runyon, T.H. Payne, Raymond Payne, F.S. Sims and Clyde Tucker.

Zura Douglas lived until 1977 when he was 78.

Family members still have a photo of 606-608 Cedar St. in the snow. 

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: ARNOLD, TIMOTHY LEBRON CHATTANOOGA, 37416 Age at Arrest: 32 years old Arresting Agency: Hamilton County Booked for Previous Charges ... (click for more)

EPB was recognized for the distinction of being the number one local power company in the Tennessee Valley for overall energy efficiency programs in 2021. Cindy Herron, the Vice President of ... (click for more)

Here is the upcoming City Council agenda for Tuesday: I. Call to Order by Chairman Ledford. II. Pledge of Allegiance/Invocation (Councilwoman Hill). III. Special Presentation. ... (click for more)

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: ARNOLD, TIMOTHY LEBRON CHATTANOOGA, 37416 Age at Arrest: 32 years old Arresting Agency: Hamilton County Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) BRADLEY, MATTHEW CORDELRIO 12 WOODVALE AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37411 Age at Arrest: 35 years old Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE BRANHAM, ... (click for more)

EPB was recognized for the distinction of being the number one local power company in the Tennessee Valley for overall energy efficiency programs in 2021. Cindy Herron, the Vice President of TVA EnergyRight, presented the award to EPB President and CEO David Wade at the July board meeting on Friday. EPB was named a top performer in 12 categories when it comes to helping residential ... (click for more)

I remember watching the news during 2020 and 2021 and seeing reports of local governments in Seattle, New York, and other progressive cities purchasing apartments and hotels to house their homeless population. While this may have started as a noble ideal, it was clear from the reports that such actions only worsened addiction problems and made the homeless population further dependent ... (click for more)

Here is hope that common sense and cooler heads will prevail when the Hamilton County School Board convenes later this afternoon. Board Chairman Tucker McClendon wants the group to issue a resolution that will lambast Hillsdale College president Larry Arnn for calling teachers dumb which, of course, never happened. On Tuesday of this week, the same Larry Arnn penned an opinion ... (click for more)

Two of the most important components needed to win baseball games at any level is pitching and hitting. Defense always plays a part, but those first two are really important. The Chattanooga Lookouts have struggled all season with starting pitching and at times, a lack of hitting. As a result, they are in last place in the Double AA North division standings with a 4-15 record ... (click for more)

Tennessee has received the Notice of Allegations regarding alleged recruiting violations committed by its former football coach, Jeremy Pruitt, and support staff. The university confirmed the news, which was first reported by the Knoxville News Sentinel, by releasing statements Friday afternoon from Chancellor Donde Plowman and athletic director Danny White. The NCAA ... (click for more)