Fordyce Obituary

Winfield Scott Fordyce Obituary
1930

Winfield S. Fordyce
OLD AND RESPECTED PIONEER PASSED AWAY VERY SUDDENLY SATURDAY
The sudden death of W.S. Fordyce care as a shock to the community last Saturday evening when he was discovered dead in his chair in the township clerk's office at about 6:30.
Mr. Fordyce had been in poor health for some time and Friday night had a very poor spell but was able to be out on Saturday attending to his duties. When he failed to appear at supper time.
Mrs. Fordyce became worried and requested Edwin Clevenger, a neighbor, to investigate and he found him as described above. In the passing of W.S. Fordyce, or "Scott" as he was most familiarly known, Coe township lost one of its oldest pioneers. He came here with his parents in 1866 and they settled on the farm which he still owned at the time of his death and where he lived until about seven years ago when he moved to Shepherd.
Mr. Fordyce has always been held in high esteem by all who knew him and has held many positions of trust in the township. He was supervisor for 7 years, township treasurer for 2 years, and township clerk serving in this capacity at the tine of his death.
He was one of the oldest Odd Fellows in the state, having joined Salt River Lodge, No. 239, fifty six years ago as a charter member. He was also a member of the Rebekah order and serving as financial secretary. The funeral was held at the Christian church Wednesday afternoon, with the Odd Fellows conducting the burial services, and was largely attended. The board of supervisors which was in session at Mt. Pleasant recessed and attended as a body and were accompanied by many of the ex supervisors of Coe township and the business places here were closed.
Winfield S. Fordyce, son of John W. and Sarah E. Fordyce, was born in Green county, Penn., Nov. 2, 1852, and died Saturday June 21, 1930. age 77 years, 7 months and 19 days. He came to Michigan with his parents at the age of 14 years and located in Coe township where he has since resided. He was married to Clare Parkinson, July 4, 1876# and to this union two children were born, both dying several years ago. His first wife died March 14, 1897, and he was again united in marriage on July 20, 1899, to Mary A. Kirby, To them were born three children, two of whom died in infancy. He is survived by his widow, one daughter, Mrs. John Wright of Alma, and two grandchildren, Frances and Junior Wright of Alma, and a legion of friends and associates who mourn his departure.
Newspaper obituary, source unknown, hand-dated June 26, 1930 (Isabella County, Michigan)

Winfield Fordyce
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at, 3 o'clock for Winfield S. Fordyce, one of the oldest residents of the township, having moved here with his parents some 64 years ago at the age of 13, and has resided in Coe Township, ever since. It was one of the largest funerals ever held in this village. The board of supervisors, which was in session in Mt. Pleasant, adjourned and attended the services in a body. All business places were closed for the funeral.
While Mr. Fordyce had been in poor health for some time, his death came as a shock to the community. He had been about his duties during the day, Saturday as Township clerks and when he failed to return home for supper an investigation was made and his body was found in a chair by the side of his desk. The body was removed to the Stilgenbauer undertaking home and the coroner summoned from Mt. Pleasant, but it was decided no inquest was necessary.
Mr. Fordyce held many important positions in the township, having been supervisor during the years 1902, 3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 17, was township treasurer in 1900, and 1901, and has been clerk, of the township for the past 7 or 8 years and was still serving in this capacity at the time of his death. He had been a member of the Salt River Lodge i.c.o.r. for the past 56 years, and was a charter member of that organization. He was also a member of the Rebekah Lodge of which he was finance secretary.
Winfield S. Fordyce, son of John W. and Sarah E. Fordyce, was born in Greene county, Pa, Nov. 2. l852, and was 77 yrs. 7mo and 16 d. of age at the time of his death. At the age of 13, he came to Coe township with his parents and located on the farm which he still owned at the time of his death and where he resided until about 8 yrs. ago when he moved to Shepherd on account of failing health. He was the youngest of a family Of 7 children, 4 brothers, 2 sisters. On July 4, l876, he was married to Clara Parkinson to which union 2 children were born, both having died several years ago. His first wife died March 14, l897, and he was married to Mary E. Kirby July, 20, l899. Three children were born to them, 2 of whom died in infancy. He is survived by the widow and 1 daughter, Mrs. John Wright of Alta, and 2 grandchildren, Preacee and Junior Wright.
Newspaper obituary, source and date unknown. (Isabella County, MI)

Obituaries Index | Genealogy Home Page

This site hosted by