Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 

[Hamblin, Horace Kenyon]

Times-Republican

Thursday    November 22, 1917    [p. 1]

Death Calls Hamblin After Short Illness

Died At Cottage Hospital At Creston Tuesday

Served As Treasurer of Taylor County For Two Terms---Operated On For Obstruction of the Bowels--Aged 65 Years

H. [orace] K. [enyon] Hamblin, after a short illness, died at the Cottage hospital in Creston Tuesday, November 20, 1917, aged 65 years.  The remains were brought to Bedford Wednesday.  The funeral services were held today at the Presbyterian Church, conducted by Rev. J. A. Currie.  Interment in Conway cemetery.

After a short illness Mr. Hamblin was taken to Creston to be operated on for an obstruction of the bowels.  Encouraging reports were received until a few days prior to his death.

Mr. Hamblin was treasurer of Taylor County for two terms.

[HAMBLIN, HORACE KENYON]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Wednesday, November 21, 1917
H. K. Hamblin Dies After Operation
Death Takes Respected Bedford Citizen Tuesday
Funeral Services Will Be Held At Presbyterian Church Thursday Afternoon 1:30—Casket Open At Home. Interment Conway Cemetery
H. K. Hamblin, a well known and well respected citizen of Bedford, died at the Cottage hospital in Creston Tuesday noon. The body was brought to Bedford Wednesday afternoon. The funeral services will be held at the Presbyterian church Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. A. Currie. Interment will be made in the Conway cemetery.
Mr. Hamblin was taken ill on his farm west of Bedford week before last and was brought to his home in Bedford. Week ago Saturday he was taken to the hospital at Creston and immediately operated on. His condition after the operation was favorable and chances for his recovery were reported good. Saturday he became worse and gradually grew weaker until death came.
Horace K. [enyon] Hamblin was born in Cayuga county, New York, May 18, 1852, being the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hamblin. With his parents he removed westward, arriving in Taylor county in 1857, making the trip overland.
He was reared to manhood on the old farm and acquired his education in the common schools and in Bedford. After completing his education he taught school for seven years during the winter and assisted his father in carrying on the farm work in the summer months. In Marshall township, Taylor county, November 25, 1875, he became united in marriage to Miss Hattie Wolcott, a native of Wisconsin.
They became the parents of three children, Grace May, the wife of A. M. Whitman of Norfolk, Nebr., and Allen Wolcott, who is training at the Great Lakes Naval Training school. Maud Lillian died in her third year and is buried in the Conway cemetery.
After his marriage he located on a farm in Marshall township where he continued year by year in making improvements and developed an extensive property. He continued farming until 1902 when he moved to Bedford, where he has resided up to this time.
While making his residence in Bedford he was engaged in the implement business with Isaac Williams and after his death continued the business for several years. He was elected county treasurer of Taylor county for two terms which he held with honor and good service.
Mr. Hamblin was a member of the Presbyterian church and served as Sunday school superintendent for four years and was always a willing and untiring worker for the interest of the church in which he was serving as elder.
Besides the members of the family, he leaves to mourn his death, an elderly father, Daniel Hamblin, of Sharpsburg, two brothers, Arthur Hamblin, of Gravity and Frank Hamblin of Sharpsburg.
In the death of Mr. Hamblin, Bedford and community loses one of its best citizens and his loss will be greatly felt. He was a man loved and respected by all. The entire community extends sympathy to the bereaved family.

[HAMBLIN, HORACE KENYON]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Wednesday, November 28, 1917
Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Whitman, who were here attending the funeral of her father, H. K. Hamblin, returned to their home at Norfolk, Nebr., Saturday.

[HAMBLIN, HORACE KENYON]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, November 29, 1917
A. W. Hamblin, who was called home to attend the funeral of his father, H. K. Hamblin, returned to the Great Lakes naval training school Friday.

[Cundy, Jessie Pearl Hamblin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 21, 1943    p.8

Sharpsburg

Obituary - Jessie Cundy

Jessie [Pearl] Hamblin Cundy, daughter of Franklin Lee and Mary Catherine Mathers Hamblin, was born Sept. 29, 1883, at the Hamblin farm home west of Sharpsburg, and died at her home in Sharpsburg Thursday, October 14, 1943, having just recently passed her sixtieth birthday anniversary.

She was married on Dec. 23, 1903, to F. [rancis] L. [lewellyn] Cundy, and to them four children were born, Francis, Howard, Mary Lou and Orrin, all of whom survive with the husband to hold her in loving memory.

For 14 years they lived in Howard Lake, Minn., where Mrs. Cundy gave much time and service in the church, the WCTU and other local agencies, whose labors were given in unselfish helpfulness for others.

In 1920 they moved back to Iowa and spent 21 years on the Hamblin farm, moving to Sharpsburg in 1941.  Mrs. Cundy united with the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church at its organization in 1893, and has been an active and valuable participant in its various projects and ministries through the years.

Funeral services were held at the Sharpsburg Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. W. Chase, and there was not room enough in the building to accommodate all who had gathered to evidence their affection and esteem for the departed, and their sympathy for the bereaved family.  Burial was in the Gravity cemetery.

[Cundy, Jessie Pearl Hamblin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 21, 1943    p.8

Attend Cundy Rites

Those from a distance attending the funeral services for Mrs. Lou Cundy Sunday were Lester Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Al Gentle, Ira Bosisto, and Mr. and Mrs. Wess Richards of Corning; Mrs. Chester Close of Aberdeen, So. Dak.; Mrs. Robert Thompson of Fedora, South Dakota; J. E. Cundy of Cedar Falls, so. Dak.; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Cundy of Milwaukee, Wisc.; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. [words unreadable], Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Boltinghouse, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Bryant of Lenox; Mrs. Gladys Brown of Grundy Center, Mr. and Mrs. Amasa Hamblin, Mr. and Mrs. Neal Akers, Mrs. Ted Selders, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Brown of Gravity; Mr. and Mrs. Allen Hamblin and Mary, Mrs. Esther Smith, Mrs. Nelle Thomas of Bedford; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Hamblin of Hopkins, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Bowman and daughter of Blockton, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Gaunt and daughter, Mrs. Theo Clouser and son of St. Joseph.

[Hamblin, Harriett Wolcott]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 18, 1940    [p. 1]

Harriett Hamblin, 87, Dies Tuesday Morning

Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home here Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock for Mrs. Harriett Hamblin, conducted by Rev. Stanley Schlick.  Burial was in the Conway cemetery.

She suffered a stroke of paralysis three years ago and since that time had been in poor health.  But she was able to be about the house every day and apparently was in her usual condition Monday noon.   In the afternoon she suffered a chill followed by a high fever, and soon lapsed into unconsciousness.  The doctor summoned pronounced her condition serious, stating she had pneumonia, and a trained nurse was called from Creston to care for her.  She died at 2 a. m. Tuesday, twelve hours after becoming ill.

Mrs. Hamblin (Harriett Wolcott) was born at Waupaca, Wisconsin, July 14, 1852, coming to Iowa as a young lady, where she taught school for a number of terms.  She was married to Horace K. Hamblin Nov. 25, 1875, and they established their new home on a farm in Marshall Township, Taylor County, where they resided until 1902, when they moved to Bedford.  Her husband died in November 1917.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Grace M. Whitman of Omaha, Nebr., and a son, Allen W. [olcott] Hamblin of Bedford.  A daughter Maude died in her third year.

Many of her friends in Bedford and the county remember her for her ability to paint, and for her love of traveling.  She was a member of the Fortnightly club in Bedford and of the Presbyterian Church, being active in both until infirmities of the later years interfered.

[Webb, Semma May Meyers]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 17, 1941    [p. 1]

Mrs. Walter Webb Dies Saturday Night

Mrs. Walter Webb, wife of the chairman of the Taylor County AAA committee, died at the home of her daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Drexel Gold, in Bedford, Saturday night, after a long illness.

The funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Gravity Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Mr. Proctor.  Burial was in the Gravity cemetery.

Semma May Meyers, youngest daughter of Fred and Esther [McNerney Riggle] Meyers, was born in Page Center, Page County, Iowa, June 18, 1891, being aged 49 years, 9 months and 24 days at the time of her death.

She moved with her parents to a farm north of Gravity, where she grew to young womanhood.

On Nov. 12, 1912, she was married at the Methodist parsonage in Bedford to Walter Webb.  To them three children were born, Berniece, Bernard and Lois.  The daughter, Lois, died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Webb began housekeeping on their farm 4 miles northwest of Gravity where she lived until last October, when she came to Bedford to be cared for by her daughter and in whose home she passed away just prior to the Easter morn.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, the daughter, Berneice, Mrs. Drexel Gold of Bedford; and son Bernard of Gravity; two brothers, Arthur Meyers of Gravity, and Bert Meyers, of Northboro; and one sister, Mrs. Bertha Hamblin of Sharpsburg.

When a child she united with the Methodist church of Gravity and for years sang in the church choir.  She leaves not only the memory of a happy disposition and a sunny smile but she leaves the heritage of a sweet voice, the clear, sweet strains of "The Star of the East" will ever ring in the memory of those who heard her as she sang in "the village choir."

[Leighton, Roy Ellis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 10, 1966    p. 2

Final Rites Held For Roy Leighton

Funeral services for Roy Leighton, 79, of Bedford, were held February 3, at 1:00 p. m. at the west Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. J. Milton Kinney officiating.  Mr. Leighton died at his home January 29.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery.

Included in the service was the following obituary:

Roy Ellis Leighton, son of Elmer Ellsworth and Loretta Frances Weaver Leighton, was born on a farm northeast of New Market, Ia., on Dec. 31, 1886.  His entire life was spent in the New Market and Bedford vicinities except for one year in Wyoming.

Roy was married to Grace Evangeline Sherbeck on Dec. 10, 1912 at Bedford.  To this union four children were born, all of whom survive.   They are Ellsworth of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Ruth Nicholson of Merino, Colo.; Paul of Wahoo, Nebr.; and Laurel Sahlie of Arcadia, Nebr.

As a young man he joined the Morning Star Church west of Bedford.

His wife, Grace, preceded him in death on Sept. 29, 1952.

He is survived by his four children; two brothers, Don of Davenport, Iowa, and Glen of Bedford; three sisters, Coryl Leighton of Yuma, Colo., Beulah Johnson of British Columbia, Canada, and Opal Squires of Moorhead, Iowa; 15 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

[Brant, Fern Fordyce]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 10, 1966    p. 2

Mrs. Mel Brant Rites Feb. 7

Funeral services for Mrs. Mel (Fern) Brant, 89, lifetime Taylor County resident, held February 7 at the west Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, were conducted by Rev. J. Milton Kinney.  Mrs. Brant died February 5 at Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa.  Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.

The following obituary was included in the services:

Fern Fordyce, the daughter of A. [rthur] B. [onner] and Rachael [Bowers] Fordyce, was born one mile east of Platteville, Iowa, on Nov. 3, 1876.  Much of her life was spent around Platteville.  She lived in Bedford for twenty years, where her husband served as an attorney.  She received her education in the public schools of Taylor County, and also attended Drake University one year.

She and Melbon Roscoe Brant were united in marriage at Wichita, Kansas, in 1907.  To this union two children, Melbon Roscoe Brant [Jr.], and Beth Alberta Brant Ritz, were born.

Mrs. Brant is survived by her two children, two sisters-in-law, Mrs. John Fordyce of Blockton, and Mrs. Eldon Mattson, Long Beach, Calif.; a nephew, John Junior Fordyce, Blockton; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three brothers, John, Benson, and Ernest Fordyce, and one sister, Frankie Fordyce, who died in infancy.

She will be remembered by her friends as a person who loved gardening, flowers, and her home.  She was a great reader.  She also traveled much for a person of her age.  When she was able she attended church.

[Fordyce, Leroy]

Iowa South-West

Saturday     October 14, 1876    p. 2

Died----Fordyce, Oct. 11th, 1876, at his residence in Conway, of typhoid fever, Leroy Fordyce, aged 28 years, 6 months and 13 days.

[Fordyce, Leroy]

Iowa South-West

Saturday    November 4, 1876

Conway

Editor South-West:--Since our last communication to your valuable paper, many things have transpired.   The saddest of all is the death of Mr. Leroy Fordyce, a highly respected citizen of our town.  It is no exaggeration to say that his death is regretted by all who knew him.

[Fordyce, Arthur Bonner]

Times-Republican

Thursday    June 22, 1911    [p. 1]

Stroke of Apoplexy Results In Death of A. B. Fordyce----Pioneer of County

A. B. Fordyce, one of Taylor County's old pioneers, having lived in the same place near Platteville for 42 years, died at his home near Platteville Tuesday morning at 5:15, death resulting from apoplexy.  Mr. Fordyce got up as usual Tuesday morning and started to build the fire, when he felt a sharp pain across his breast and called to his son, John, who resides at home.  He went to bed and a doctor was called but death came before the physician arrived.

 The funeral services were held at the home, Thursday morning at 10 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Fred N. Willis of Bedford.  Interment at Fairview cemetery, Bedford.

Arthur Bonner Fordyce was born in Green County, Pennsylvania, May 16, 1842, and was next to the oldest child of a family of nine children, all of whom are deceased except Hayes C. Fordyce of Creston, Iowa.  He was the son of Benson and Mariah [Nichols] Fordyce.   On the 14th of May 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Rachael Bowers and in 1869 he left Green County, and moved to Taylor County, Iowa, and settled on a farm 1 mile east of Platteville, where he has continuously resided until his death.  To Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Fordyce were born five children, two having died in infancy, leaving John Fordyce, living at home, B. [enson] W. Fordyce, of Des Moines, and Fern Fordyce Brant, wife of M.[elbon] R. [oscoe] Brant of Bedford.  Melbon Roscoe Brant, Jr., and Beth Alberta Brant, two grandchildren, also survive.

[Fordyce, Benson, 1816-1895]

Waynesburg Republican (Greene County, Pennsylvania)

 September 26, 1895

Death of a Former Honored Citizen of Greene County

Benson Fordyce died at his home in Bedford Iowa, September 14, 1895, at the age of 78 years, 8 months and 23 days. He was born in Greene county, Pa., December 21st, 1816, and was the youngest of a family of eight sons and three daughters, who are now all gone, he being the last one to cross over the shore beyond. He was married to Miss Maria Nichols April 28, 1838. From this union was born nine children, six sons and three daughters. All of them grew to manhood and womanhood and four survive him, three sons and one daughter, located as follows: A. [rthur] B. [onner] Fordyce, Platteville, Iowa; C. G. Fordyce, near Carmichaels, Greene County, Pa., H. [ayes] C. Fordyce, Creston, Iowa and Mrs. Lizzie J. Connett, Great Bend Kansas. His wife, Maria, died March 25th, 1868, at their home in Greene County, Pa. On April 25th, 1873 he was again married to Mrs. Frances A. Dale of Bedford, Iowa. At the age of 16 years, deceased united with the Methodist Protestant church and remained a faithful member of this church up to his death, which called him to the church above. In the spring of 1873 he migrated to Taylor County, Iowa where he resided the last 12 years of his life. He was a man of wonderful energy, a kind and indulgent father, and a true, faithful Christian man, who always had the faculty of looking upon the bright side of his misfortunes. He was universally respected, and few men had more friends. He was always a welcome addition to the social circle of the young, middle-aged and the old. He was a man singularly free from ostentation, a character in which were blended the sterling qualities that inspire and retain friendship and respect.

Father Fordyce had enjoyed more than ordinary health through a long and active life up to an early day in July of this year when a heavy stroke of apoplexy made him an invalid. For a time he slowly improved then suddenly grew worse and his life gradually faded out at 11:20 p.m.

The funeral took place from the family residence in Bedford, Iowa, at 2 o'clock p.m. September 16. Services were conducted by Rev. M. C. Waddell, pastor of the M. E. church, who paid a high tribute to the deceased. The very large gathering of people and the long funeral procession expressed better than words could the large place he held in the hearts and affections of those who knew him best. A grand old man with spotless character has gone to the grave in peace. The memory of such men should be perpetuated and their graves kept green to remind us of the many noble acts and the characters they represent.

[Fordyce, Benson, 1816-1895]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    September 19, 1895    p. 6

Mortuary

Died, at his home in Bedford, Iowa, on Saturday, September 14, 1895, at 11:30 p.m., Benson Fordyce, aged 78 years, 9 months and 29 days.  Funeral services were held at the residence in the northwest part of the city at 2 o'clock p.m. Monday, September 16th, conducted by Rev. M. C. Waddell.  Interment was made in Fairview cemetery.

Benson Fordyce was a native of Green County, Pa., and came to Iowa and settled in Bedford in 1872.  For several years Mr. Fordyce has been engaged in truck farming and by his genial manners and kindly disposition had won the friendship and confidence of the community.  He was a member of the Protestant Methodist church and lived an upright, Christian life.  A good man has gone to his reward.

[Fordyce, John]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 20, 1958    p. 6

John Fordyce Dies

John Fordyce, 91, of Blockton, died at his home Friday, November 14.  Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Blockton Methodist church.  Rev. I. G. Wilkins and Rev. Lowell Hall officiated.  Burial was in Fairview cemetery.

John Fordyce, son of A. [rthur] B. [onner] and Rachel Fordyce, was born March 24, 1867, in Green County, Pennsylvania and moved with his parents to Iowa when he was two years old.

On Sept. 2, 1913, he was married to [Mary] Louvada Rhinehart.  To this union two children were born.  The daughter, Rachel, preceded him in death.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife; son, John Junior, of Blockton; one sister, Mrs. M. [elbon] R. [oscoe] Brant [Fern]; a nephew and a niece, and other relatives and friends.

John's entire life was spent in Taylor County, as a farmer.  He was a member of the Blockton Methodist church.

[Fordyce, Corbly Vincent "Corb"]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    August 3, 1933    [p. 1]

Blockton Man Is Found Dead

C. V. Fordyce Is Found Under Wagon

By the Times-Press Blockton Reporter

C. [orbly] V. [incent] Fordyce, 60, resident of Blockton, was found dead at one of his farms west of Blockton Tuesday afternoon.

He had gone to the farm to haul a load of corn and in some manner the load rolled back into a ditch to upset, pinning him beneath.  His neck was broken and his back injured, death resulting instantly.

It is believed he had been dead about 24 hours when his body was found.  It had been his custom to stay all night at the farm with his son, Roy Fordyce, at times, so when he did not return to Blockton Monday evening, his wife was not especially concerned; and the son believed his father had returned to Blockton.  His continued absence from home led to a search that revealed the tragedy.

No Inquest

Sheriff Tom Lacy, accompanied by Acting County Coroner Willis Paul and County Attorney Roger Warin, went to the scene of the accident, but decided an inquest was not needed.

A team of mules used by Fordyce was found loose in a field nearby.  It is believed they had been unhitched from the wagon while the corn was being loaded and that the loaded wagon had started rolling back, Fordyce attempting to hold it from upsetting as it went toward a ditch.

Services Today

Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock this afternoon in the Methodist church at Blockton and burial was in the Rose Hill cemetery.

Surviving are Mrs. Fordyce and three children, LeRoy Fordyce, Blockton, and daughters, Garland and Vivian, at home.

[Fordyce, Corbly Vincent "Corb"]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    August 10, 1933     p. 8

Services Held For C. V. Fordyce

C. [orbly] V. [incent] Fordyce, 60, was found dead at his farm near Blockton Monday, July 31.  The funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Blockton Thursday afternoon conducted by Rev. W. H. Warrior.  Burial was in the Rose Hill cemetery.

He was born in Taylor County July 17, 1873, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Fordyce [Sylvia Grove Reed].  He was left fatherless at the age of three and one half years.  A part of his boyhood was spent with his grandfather [Jacob] Reed.  Later he moved with his mother and stepfather, Will Brown, to Worth County, Mo., where he grew to young manhood.

In 1897 he was married to Miss Della [Austa Fidella] Davidson and they moved to a farm near Blockton, where they have since resided.  Four children were born to them, Leroy, Crystal, who died in 1929, Garland and Vivian at home.  Surviving with the wife and children are three grandchildren, Naomi, Francis, and Eldon Lynn; two sisters, Mrs. Ophie Bishop of Weldona, Colo., and Mrs. Clara Ostrander of Redding; two brothers, Wade Brown of Aurelia, Iowa, and J. C. Brown of Ideal, S. Dak.  He was a member of the Methodist church.

[Fordyce, Corbly Vincent "Corb"]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    August 10, 1933     p. 8

Mrs. Ophie Bishop of Weldona, Colo., arrived Thursday morning to attend the funeral of her brother, C. [orbly] V. [incent] Fordyce.

[FORDYCE, CORBLEY VINCENT “CORB”]

Blockton News, Thursday, August 10, 1933, p. 4

Obituary – Corbley Vincent Fordyce, the son of Leroy and Grove Fordyce, was born in Taylor County July 17, 1873. He departed this life July 31, 1933, aged 60 years and 14 days.

He was left fatherless at the age of three and one-half years. A part of his boyhood was spend with his Grandfather Reed; later he removed with his mother and step father, Will Brown, to Worth County, Missouri, [where he] grew to young manhood.

In 1897 he was united in marriage to Miss Della Davidson and they moved to a farm near Blockton where he has since farmed until the date of his death. To this union was born four children---Leroy, Crystal, Garland and Vivian. Crystal preceded him in death June 2, 1929.

He united with the Methodist church during the pastorate of Rev. Alfred Knoll and remained a firm believer in the church and its doctrine until his death.

Besides his wife and children he leaves to mourn his departure, three grandchildren, Naomi, Francis and Eldon Lynn, who were very dear to him; two sisters, Mrs. Ophie Bishop, of Weldona, Colorado, and Mrs. Clara Ostrander, of Redding; two brothers, Wade Brown, of Aurelia, and J. C. Brown, of Ideal, South Dakota; his aunt, Mrs. L. P. Jenkins of Athelstan; his uncle, George Reed of Blockton, and numerous other relatives and a host of friends.

He was a man whose genial nature won him friends wherever he was known for he was always willing to help anyone in need. Especially among those who will miss his hearty greetings will be the children whom he always enjoyed. He will long be remembered as an industrious man whose interests were always for others and the welfare of this community.

Funeral services were held at the Blockton Methodist Church Thursday afternoon conducted by Rev. W. H. Warrior. The services were largely attended. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery, Blockton.

[FORDYCE, CORBLY VINCENT "CORB"]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, August 3, 1933
Corb V. Fordyce Accidently Killed Monday Afternoon
Corb V. Fordyce, well and widely known farmer and stock raiser of this place, was accidentally killed Monday afternoon or evening when a load of corn which he was loading over turned, crushing him on the ground.
Just how the accident occurred will never be known.
Mr. Fordyce has been residing here in town for a number of years and at the same time has been operating his farms west of town, consisting of several hundred acres.
It seems that he left town Monday afternoon for the farms, driving his mule team. He stopped at the first farm on the top of the hill west of town where he had a bunch of hogs he was feeding out, feeding them longer than he had planned owing to the recent drop in prices. The farm is occupied by Ed Armstrong. He left this farm about 4 o'clock Monday afternoon to go to another farm after a load of corn for the hogs.
The other farm referred to, which is occupied by his son, Leroy, is located a quarter of an mile west and extends about a mile and a quarter south and extends a mile wide at one mile south. At a point possibly a mile south and a quarter west of the farm residence occupied by his son, he had a pile of several hundred bushels of corn. This is the point to which he went for the corn.
When he did not return home that night the family supposed he had decided to remain at the farm and the son supposed he had secured the corn and had returned to town. Mr. Armstrong remained up late to assist in unloading the corn but when he did not come concluded he had changed his plans.
Tuesday afternoon after a telephone communication between the folks in town and on the farm, it became apparent that something was wrong and a search was made, the son accompanied by Rex Warden finding his lifeless body partially under the load of corn near the point where the corn was piled. The body was found about 5 or 5:30. The members of the family here in town left for the farm as soon as it was ascertained that he had not remained at the home of the son on the farms.
The pile of corn was located near a ravine, possibly some six feet deep, the land sloping rather steeply from the corn to the ravine. The course of the ravine was from the southwest to the northeast.
As stated above it will never be known just how the accident happened, but the generally accepted theory is as follows:
That he had driven the wagon to the lower side of the pile of corn or on the slope next to the ravine with the wagon headed down the slope or course of the ravine to the north or northeast. He unhitched the mules from the wagon, apparently, while he loaded the corn. When the loading was about completed it is presumed the wagon started forward or started sliding toward the raving and that he stepped around the rear end to hold it from upsetting and was caught when it turned over, possibly tripping on weeds when he attempted to get out of the way. The scoop board which was higher than the box struck him in turning over right across the middle of the back, probably breaking his back and killing him almost instantly. He was laying face downward with his head to the southwest, the wagon headed to the northeast.
County officers were called but as it was a plain case of an accidental death no inquest was deemed necessary. The body was taken to the home of his son and later brought to his late home here in Blockton.
Besides his wife he leaves three children, Leroy, Garland and Vivian. Also, one sister, Mrs. Ophie Bishop of Weldona, Colorado and one half-sister and two half-brothers, Mrs. O. B. Ostrander of Redding, R. W. Brown of Aurelia and Jacob Brown of Ideal, South Dakota.
When we go to press complete arrangements for the funeral have not been made.

[FORDYCE, CORBLY VINCENT "CORB"]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, August 3, 1933
R. W. Brown came yesterday morning from his home at Aurelia called here by the death of his half-brother, C. V. Fordyce.

[Fordyce, Austa Fidella "Della" Davidson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 15, 1943    p. 8

Obituary - Mrs. C. V. Fordyce

Austa Fidella Davidson, daughter of Mordicia and Mary Ella Davidson, was born May 15, 1874, in Worth County, Mo. and died at her home in Blockton, Tuesday, April 6, 1943, at the age of 68 years, 10 months, and 22 days.

She attended school in Grant City, Mo., and afterwards taught in Missouri and Iowa schools.

In 1897 she was married to Corb. V. [incent] Fordyce and they moved to Taylor County where they had always made their home.

To them four children were born, Leroy A., Crystal, Garland and Vivian WestCrystal preceded her mother in death in 1929 and Mr. Fordyce died in 1933.

She joined the church when but a young girl and always remained loyal to her beliefs.  She was a faithful friend, kind and loving mother.

She is survived by her immediate family, four grandchildren, Naomi, Francis and Eldon Fordyce and Averill A. [llen] West; two brothers, Orlie and Dale Davidson of Sheridan, Missouri.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. E. B. Stewart at the Methodist church Friday afternoon, April 9.  Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery.

[Fordyce, Austa Fidella "Della" Davidson]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 15, 1943    p. 8

Mr. and Mrs. O. [rlie] H. Davidson, Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Davidson, Dale Davidson and family, all of Sheridan, and Mrs. Clara Ostrander of Kellerton, attended the funeral services for Mrs. Della Fordyce Friday.