The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-10-26

ton or her many industries and fac
tories. In 1894, ne became interested
In and helped to promote the launch
ing or The still prosperous and busy
Saginaw Basket Co. He is also inter
ested in the industry which PROMISES
much for Saginaw's future, the de-
velopment OF tine vast and Important
coal fields, the extent and produc-
tiveness OF which is only beginning to
be appreciated. Foruney & Chappen is
a firm OF mining operators already well
known to the world Of coal.
Another important industry in which
Mr.. FordDey is engaged is the manu-
facture OF artificial ice, he and his
brother Calvin, operating a large plant
at Hartford City, Ind., within a few
miles OF the farm on which he was
born.
Mr.. Fordney has always been identi-
fled with the Republican party, anu
cast his first presidential vote for
Rutherford b. Hayes in the memoir
able contest of 1876, when Samuel b.
Tilden came so near to being the first
Democratic president since the war.
Although he has always taken an
active interest in politics, he managed
to keep out of office until 1895, when
his fellow citizens elected him to the
city council from the Fourteenth ward !,
and reelected him in 1897, his term
not expiring until April, 1899. In the
meanJlme, he was nominated Republi-
can candidate for congress in the fall
Of 1898, and receiver q unanimous ell
dorasation for a second term at the
recent Republican convention. His ex-
perience in office has been short, but
has confirmed him in the reelection
habit, and increased his popularity with
all classes.
AS O. member of the city council he
did valuable service In breaking up the
old Bordwell theater, which had be-
come public scandal, and which the
law-abiding element were strongly op-
posed to. Bordwell went TO the coun-
Gil for a reduction in his license, but
Mr.. Fordney led a vigorous fight
against the proposition, contending
THAI the license should be absolute v
cancelled, or that it should be raised
to such figure as to make IL pro-
hibitive. He and his friends won out
after q determined struggle, and the
public appreciated the suppression of
what had come to be regarded as q
nuisance and an enemy to morals. He
also was conspicuous, while in the
council, for insisting upon the carry
ing out of the conditions of consolida-
ton between east and west Saginaw,
and helped to bring about the con
struction of the Court street bridge,
which was one Of the conditions re-
ferred to.
u congress Mr.. Fordney has been a
valued member OF the important com
Mite on merchant marine and fish
cries, on which he has done goou
work, He was also on the committee
on expenditures of treasury. His short
career as congressman has earned for
Joe" Fordney the warm esteem of
his fellow members, who look upon
him as one of the most companionable
Of men, and a olear-headed business
man, whose vast acquaintance and
knowledge OF industrial conditions
make his services as q national legisla-
tor of unusual value and Importance.
A distinguishing feature of his congress
ional career has been his enthusiastic
work in behalf of the old soldiers of
the republic, for whom he has shown
a most friendly and active interest.
II goes on record that more privl, @
pension bills we're passed by the first
session of the fifty-sixth congress than
in any one session of all previous con
crosses.
In private life "Jce" Fordney has
been an admirable citizen. He was mar
red in 1873 to Cathern Harren, al
has family of nine children, six
girls and three boys, all still being
under the parental roof. A very do
mestic man and a great lover of bis
fapitv and home is the Saginaw con-