FORDICE, James C. - Putnam

Among the native-born residents of Putnam County who have reached a well merited success we must certainly include the name of James C. FORDICE, well known resident of Russell Township. Honesty and fair dealing have been his watchwords, and these twin virtues have been personified in his active life. He is the son of Joseph B. Fordice and was born Jan 23, 1818, in Morgan County, Ohio and grandson of William Fordice, born May 11, 1786 in Nova Scotia. He married Ruama BUCK March 1, 1806 in Lower Canada from which country the family moved to Morgan County, Ohio where they lived for several years. Then Mr. Fordice moved to Putnam County, Indiana where his children had preceded him, his desire being to spend his declining years with them. His death occurred Oct 2, 1862. Mrs. Fordice was born Dec 9, 1786 died Nov 27, 1875. They were the parents of 13 children. Some of the sons engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills in Ohio and one of them was a manufacturer in Ky for 5 years or until 1845 when they all came to Putnam County Indiana locating at Russellville where they started a factory and it was from this source that these sons, Nelson, George, Asa, Joseph and Jesse H were enabled to buy their farm land and made their start in life. Their father purchased land in Sec 7 adding to it from time to time until he finally owned 1000 acres all in one body. Feb 24, 1842 he married Rebecca ELLIOTT of Illinois. He devoted his life to farming and stock raising at which he was very successful. In 1858 he was elected to Legislature, serving very ably in that body. His death occurred Feb 17, 1883. He was a useful and influential man in his community. His children, of whom two are living are as follows: James C and Elizabeth, those deceased being Annie, John, Jesse H. and William A. The last named was born Dec 9, 1842, married Celia DURHAM and they had two children, Myrtle and Lula. Elizabeth married William ASHBY; she was born Aug 30, 1852 and became the mother of the following children living: Jesse, Joseph, Howard and Lela, those deceased being Siggie and mary. Howard is a graduate of Wabash College and now one of its instructors in the department of mathematics. Chester is a freshman of the same college. Lela is a teacher in the public schools. Jesse H, now deceased was born July 14, 1853 and died 1909. He married Lucy ALLEN May 25, 1881 and they became parents of the following: Margaret, Donald, Joseph, Paul and Elizabeth. Jesse H. Fordice was a successful physician and was located in Wichita, KS where his death occurred. His family now resides in the state of Washington, his son, Donald graduated from the state college in Washington. James C. Fordice was reared to manhood on the home farm, received a common school education and attended Wabash College after which he became engaged in business and for a year was treasurer of an iron industry in Martin County, Indiana. He was at one time surveyor for the road now known as the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, rendering very efficient service and having the good will of his employers. June 10, 1885, Mr. Fordice married Bertha ALLEN, daughter of Joseph Allen of Greencastle and after a mutually happy married life of 13 years, she passed to her rest on August 30, 1898. Two children were born to them, Frederick born March 31, 1886 and Harold, born Jan 10, 1888; both are graduates of Wabash College and are yong men of much promise. Mr. Fordice lives on the old homestead which his father purchased from Cyrus VanCleve, who entered the land from the government. he erected a one-story brick, house, burning the brick himself, the house still standing on the farm. The father built a very modern house on this farm in which his son now lives. Mr. Fordice makes farming and stock raising his occupationand he is very successful in each; he is a money maker and one of the best known men in his township, being well read and thoroughly posted on all current events. Representing one of the oldest and largest families of the county, he has ever striven to conduct himself in a manner that would perpetuate the early record of the family for right living and right thinking. Politically he is a Republican and member of the Presbyterian Church.