[Toiling in vain through the night dark and dreary]

Composer: S. V. R. Ford

Born: 1835, Greenville, New York. Died: June 5, 1910, New York City. Son of Cyrus Earle and Amanda Hedden Ford, Stephen wrote several battle hymns during the American civil war which were sung by Union soldiers. He was a partner in a shirt and collar making company, Ide & Ford, in Troy, New York (1865-72). In his later years, he was known as an author, editor, composer and critic. He was living in Schenectady, New York, in 1908. His works include: Sunday-School Teaching (Hitchcock & Walden, 1868) Melodies for Little People (New York: Hunt and Eaton, 1891) The King’s Birthday: A Carol Service for Christmas (New York: Hunt and Eaton, 1893) The Stone Rolled Away: An Easter Missionary Service (Curts & Jennings, 1897)… Go to person page >