President William McKinley Signed Army Commission- 1899 – SOLD

The large 19 1/8″ x 15 5/8″ commission certificate is for a First Lieutenant of Infantry, Stanley H. Ford and is signed by President William McKinley.  The document has some light wear, fading and blemishing throughout.  Along the bottom right area of the document there is some water damage.  There is some general creasing throughout the document, especially along the outer border and the corners.  The seal in the bottom left corner has some wear and cracking to it and it is partially coming separated along some of the outer edges of the seal.  In the top right section of the document there are two small tears in the paper (see images).

Stanley H. Ford –  Was a United States Lieutenant General, who was the commander of the Philippine department, 1st Infantry Division, Seventh Corps Area, Sixth Corps Area, and the Second United States Army.  He saw service early in his career in Cuba and the Philippines during the Spanish-American War, serving with the 16th Infantry in Cuba and the 25th Infantry in the Philippines.  During WWI he served as Assistant Chief of Staff of the 84th Infantry Division and Chief of Staff of the 27th Infantry Division.  In the 1920’s and 30’s he served  as the Assistant Chief of Staff of the Army’s Military Intelligence Division, commanded the 1st Brigade 1st Infantry Division, commanded the Philippine Department, commanded the 1st Infantry Division, Seventh Corps Area and Sixth Corps Area.

Elihu Root – Secretary of War in 1899.  He served as the Secretary of State under President Theodore Roosevelt and as Secretary of War under Roosevelt and President William McKinley.

Measures approx. 19 1/8″ x 15 5/8″

Reference the photos for greater detail, quality and condition.