Born into slavery in Virginia, “Senator” Joe Ford made his presence at the State Capitol in Lansing known, serving as the Keeper of the Senate Cloak Room for more than 50 years. His spouse Emma Ford was a force unto herself as an entrepreneur and lecturer, even running a cafe on Mackinac Island in the early 1900s.

During the legislative sessions, Ford lived in Lansing at two different locations according to Lansing City Directories.

Ford was well liked in his role as the Keeper of the Cloak Room, and one of the highlights of is career was inviting and accompanying every Governor as far back as Gov. Josiah W. Begole in 1883 to the annual AME Chicken Dinner in Lansing.

Prior to becoming a State employee, Ford worked as a porter for the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. Joe Ford was often tapped by Governors to represent them at meetings involving African Americans. Ford served as a valet for his master, a Confederate Army Officer, during the Civil War.