Fordyce Obituary

John G. Fordyce Obituary
1874

Death of Lieutenant John G. Fordyce
Many residents will be deeply pained to learn of the death of John G. Fordyce in Philadelphia, on Friday last, 16th inst., of typhoid fever.
This sad even cast a gloom over those who knew the deceased, which will not soon be dispelled, as his character and conduct inspired the respect and esteem of all. In all the situations of life in whic he was placed he acted well his part, and who could do more?
Lieutenant Fordyce was born in Whitely township, Greene county, in 1838, and was consequently in the thrity-sixth year of his age at the time of his death. He was quietly engaged in agricultural pursuits on the farm of his father, Major Benson Fordyce, until the bugle-call of Lincoln sounded for soldiers to suppress the rebellion, when he joined Capt. Kent's company I, 8th Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves, and served with gallantry and credit until the discharge of his regiment in June, 1864. He was noted among his comrades in arms for his superior soldierly qualities, and in the many battles in which he was engaged for his courage, particularly in the Wilderness campaign, where, with a few others, along with the colors, he penetrated the enemy's lines and forced them back in is immediate front, and thus with the enemy in close proximity on both sides and in front, continued to deal death to the foe by firing his own and all the cartridges of the dead and wounded around him, and retired in safety with the colors only when the enemy had withdrawn and darkness closed around the scene, while his gun was so intensely hot by the constant blaze of fire from it that he had to exchange it for a cool one in the heat of the action. For his faithful discharge of duties and distinguished courage in action he was afterwards commissioned as a Lieutenant in Company K, Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Artillery, and served with Capt. Kent to the close of the war.
On the return of peace Lieut. Fordyce engaged in the mercantile business in Jefferson, which he conducted successfully for some years, when he sold out and accepted a situation in the wholesale dry goods house of Hood, Bonbright & Co., Philadelphia, where he remained until the time of his death. He was an excellent salesman, and enjoyed the full confidence of his employers.
Lieut. Fordyce married a daughter of Robert Rinehart, of Whitely township, who was with him, we believe, at the time of his death, and whom we sincerely condole in the great loss she has sustained.
Waynesburg Republican, October 21, 1874 (Greene County, Pennsylvania)

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