FORDYCE, LEWIS

FORDYCE, NEWBY

Posted By: John Fordyce (email)
Date: 9/23/2003 at 16:39:09

Fairfield Daily Journal, Monday, March 25, 1912

LEWIS FORDYCE DIED SUNDAY

Hon. Lewis Fordyce died Sunday morning at five o’clock at his home near Libertyville after an illness of some time from the afflictions due to old age. He was 91 years of age and was one of the best known men of the county.

He was born in 1821 (sic, actually 1820) in Illinois and came to Iowa with his parents when seventeen years of age. The family settled in Lee county where the young man assisted in developing a farm. In 1846 Mr. Fordyce was married to Miss Mary Newby, a native of Indiana, who survives him. The couple settled on a farm in Lee county but at the end of three years moved to Van Buren county where they purchased a partially improved farm. In 1873 they returned to Jefferson county and at that time secured a farm of three hundred acres.

To the couple a family of eight children were born, six of whom survive. Carl at Libertyville and Dr. Oscar Fordyce at Guthrie Center have already passed away. The remaining sons are Dr. Winfield Fordyce of this city; Eugene and Harry of California; Thornton and Lewis, both of Libertyville.

Mr. Fordyce was an influential member of the Republican party and was one of the organizers of the party in Van Buren county. He was honored with an election to the Fourth General Assembly of Iowa representing Van Buren county, and in the Twentieth General Assembly he occupied a seat as the representative of Jefferson county. In the Legislative Halls he was an honored member and one who looked after the interests of his constituents and the general community faithfully.

A more important part in his earlier life was his work in the Christian ministery. For thirty-five years he was engaged in preaching the gospel his labors extending into Missouri and throughout southeastern Iowa. For thirty-five years he was secretary of the State Association of the Christian church.

The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at the home near Libertyville and it is probable that a number of Fairfield people will attend.