The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-08-26
THE NEW COMMITTEE.

Mountainous Tor membership on the con-
gressi0nal committee were then called for
from the chairmen of the different delega.
tiOns, which resulted In the following selec-
ton:
Clinton county-W. a. Burnson.
Saginaw couHty-R. HI. Loveland.
Shiawassee county-E. o. Dewey.
Tuscola county-Chsrles I. Jarvis.
A resolution was then passed endorsing
the candidacy of j. G. Monroe, of Clinton
county, for position on the state board of
education, after which the convention came
to an end
Joseph W. Fordney was born in Hartford
City. Ind, November S, 1858. His par
ents, John and Achsah Fordney, were
natives of Pennsylvania, but left their
native state and settled In Indiana In 1888.
Mrs Fordney was of English and Irish de-
scent, and Mr.. Fordney was of Pennsylva-
mia Dutch and French blood. John Ford
ney was the father of eleven children, six
daughters and five sons. He brought his
FANNY to Saginaw in 1859, and resided
here unit his death, In 1875, In the 9th
year of his age, He was farmer by occu-
patton. His wife, who was the daughter
of James Cotton, died in 1870, In the 55th
year OF her age. -
Joseph w. Fordney passed his early
years in his native town, working on the
farm during the summer months and ct
tending school In the winter. When he
was 16 years old his parents came to Sagi-
nav, where Joseph secured position in
the grocery store of M. G. Martin, as clerk,
where he remained two years, working hard
and securing the rudiments of the business
education which has been so useful to him
in his later years. Subsequently he was
employed for time in the lumber woods,
where he picked up a valuable fund of in
formation regarding timber, and it is said
that in estimating stumpage he is an expert.
He was also employed by Morris Quinn for
a time, Mr.. Quinn being at that time ex.
tensively engaged in looking land in the
service of the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw
Railroad company, now operated by the
Michigan Central.
In 1879 Mr.. Fordney entered the service
of William Boeing, Of Detroit, who was an
extensive owner Of pine lands, and was
thus employed locating lands and estimat-
ing stumpage until 1888, when Mr.. Boeing
gave him an interest in the business. This
tho
death of Mr.. Boeing, 1890, during which
time the firm dealt extensively In lumber,
logs and lands, upon which handsome
profits were realized. Mr.. Boeing left an
estate valued at 100000
Mr.. Fordney then engaged in business on
his own account. He was for time men,,
Der of the lumber firm Of Merrill Ring &
Fordney, and is also heavy stakeholder In
the Saginaw Basket company, a concern
employing a large number of workmen and
one of the solid industries of Saginaw.
In 1895 Mr.. FOrdney was elected to rep.
resent the fifteenth ward In the common
council of Saginaw, and he was reelected
In the spring of 1897.
Mr.. Fordney began lie at the foot of the
ladder, but by industry and good business
judgment he has attained prominent posi-
ton in the community in business affairs,
He was married in 1873 to Catherine
Harlem, of this city, and the fruit of this
union is large and interesting family.
In all business matters Mr.. Fordney is
progressive and his reputation for integrity
has never been furnished by the shadow of
suspicion. He Is affable In manners,
good friend to tie to, and ,deservedly popu
lar.