William A Ford

  General Notes:

William was a circus barker, had some connection with the Annie Oakley Troupe. - documented by D. Wayne & Gerald Metz.

Family myth tells that we were distantly related to Annie Oakley but family searches indicate she is not related as her biography indicates

August 13, 1860 - On this day in 1860, Annie Oakley, one of the greatest female sharpshooters in American history, was born in Patterson Township, Ohio.

Born Phoebe Ann Oakley Moses, Oakley demonstrated an uncanny gift for marksmanship at an early age. She was never a stereotypical Wild West woman who adopted the dress and ways of men. To the contrary, Oakley prided herself on her feminine appearance and skills. She embroidered nearly as well as she shot, liked to read the Bible in the evenings, and favoured gingham dresses and demure sunbonnets.

In 1876, a Cincinnati hotelkeeper that heard of Oakley's marksmanship set up a Thanksgiving Day shooting match between Oakley and a traveling exhibition sharpshooter named Frank Butler. Annie managed to outshoot the professional by one clay pigeon. Oakley's skills and attractive appearance impressed Butler, and he continued to correspond with the young woman while he traveled. By June, the couple had married, and Oakley joined her husband's act as "Annie Oakley" the "peerless wing and rifle shot." She was nicknamed 'Little Sure Shot' by Sitting Bull and she was said to be able to hit the thin edge of a playing card at 30 paces.

In 1885, the couple joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, and Oakley soon became one of the most popular acts. Oakley stayed with the traveling show for more than 15 years, giving performances around the world. In 1913, Oakley and Butler retired, though they continued to give occasional demonstrations for good causes.

In 1921, a devastating auto accident permanently crippled Oakley. She and Butler moved to Greenville, Ohio, her home county, and she lived the remaining years of her life in the quiet countryside. She died there in 1926 at the age of 66.