~Page 867~

Thomas L. Fordyce

"It is a pleasure to meet an old settler, one who came here in the commencement of the county’s widespread development, and learn from his lips of the trials which were endured for the sake of the happy homes which now dot the county of Fayette,--a man who has, while advancing his own interests, also labored for the general good. Such a man is T.L. Fordyce, a well known farmer, many of whose early impressions were gained in the woods of the pioneer period and he tells many interesting stories of those times. The pioneers were happy. It is singular how easily a person can adapt himself to any surroundings and derive comfort therefrom. And yet it fails to be at all singular when account is taken of the selfish desire to be comfortable. If we have enough to eat and enough to wear and a little ahead and an outlook for some good books, we can manage to worry along and get some satisfaction out of life. So the old settler was happy, as everyone will emphatically tell you. So says the subject of the sketch.

Thomas L. Fordyce was born December 25, 1839, in the township of Dunham, province of Quebec, Canada, and received his education in that neighborhood, the school being held in his uncle’s house, the equipment of which was primitive in the extreme. His services being required in the clearing of the small farm owned by his father, his schooling was limited, though by subsequent reading and habits of close observation he has become a well informed man on general topics. His ancestors were originally from Scotland, though his father was born on the same farm as was the subject, while the mother is supposed to have been born in Vermont.

Mr. Fordyce was married to Cornelia CARTER, the daughter of James and Ortha (CORA) Carter, and to this union were born five children, four sons and one daughter, namely: Genevieve, Frank, Jerard (deceased), Clare (deceased) and Marcellus. The living children are married and reside in Fayette county. Mr. Fordyce came to Fayette county, Iowa, in March, 1867, and bought forty acres of land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he at once applied himself. He was industrious, economical and a good manager and was prospered from the beginning. Having early in life become familiar with general farming, he has make this vocation, together with stock raising, his life work and that a large measure of success has attended his efforts goes without saying. He is now the owner of three hundred and ten acres of excellent land, eighty acres lying in Windsor township, the balance in the old home place. In March, 1900, Mr. Fordyce came to Randalia, this county, to make it his permanent home, having an attractive and nicely furnished dwelling here. Soon after taking up his residence here he was active in the general affairs of the place and a short time age he was appointed justice of the peace to fill a vacancy and he is very ably and conscientiously discharging the duties of the same. Politically, he is a Republican and has long taken more or less interest in the affairs of his party. Fraternally, he is a Mason and stands high in that order. Although he is now living retired from the active duties of life, yet Mr. Fordyce takes a delight in overseeing the general management of his lands, which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and which, under his skillful management, have been producing abundant harvests for years. He is a man of strictly honest principles and has the good will of all who know him."

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Georgianna Gray