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

the world. For nine winters he worked
in the lumber camps, and held his
own with the picturesque and rollick-
ing knights of the red sash brIgaae,
During that time he filled about every
berth In the camps, at one time as
chef for the epicures of the brigade.
as chopper, ana In fact ell things
except blacksmith, and at that he
would have tried bis hand, had time
or opportunity permitted. The natural
bardships Of the life seemed to agree
with FOrdney, and as he was no sharer
in the disSipatlons in which too many
Of the men sunk their earnings, he
made satisfactory progress from the
financial end of the situation, and in
due time the employe became the M
ployer. His last winter in the woods
was In 1873.
Among Mr.. Fordney's earlier ex-
perences, was his engagement with the
Jackson, Lansing Sc Saginaw railroad,
now the Mackinaw division OF the
Michigan Central. The company received
large land grants TO aid them In build
ing their road, ana in 1873, MIR. Ford
ney was engaged to estimate timber
values on their property, position OF
no small Importance for a young man
of 20, and an evidence that quite
early In life he was known as one to be
trusted with big affairs. In 1879 he
entered the employ of Wilhelm Boeing,
formerly of Saginaw, and then of De-
troit, apd began estimating pine timber
for that gentleman, who is very large
ly interested In the lumber Industry.
In January, 1883, Mr.. Fordney was
given an interest in his employers bust
ness, and the pleasant relations be-
tween them continued until Boeing's
death, in January, 1890, dissolved the
partnership. During the years from
1883 TO 1890, Messrs. Boeing & Ford
ney made extensive purchases of tim
Der land In California, where the valu-
able red wood is found, and in Wash
ington, where spruce is had. In con-
junction with the estate Of his deceas-
ed partner, Mr.. Foroney is still inter
ested in these properties, and in connec-
ton Herewith has made frequent visits
to the Pacific coast.
After the death Of Mr.. Boeing, In
1890, the firm of Ring, Merrill & Ford
ney, was organized in Saginaw, am
engaged In q general numbering busi-
ness, and buying and selling pine
timber from 1890 until the spring OF
1892. A. change OF organization was
then effected, the firm name becoming
Merrill, Ring & Co. This company pur-
chased and owned timber limits and
O saw mill at Byng Inlet, Georgian
Bay, one of the best OF the wealthy
Ontario timber districts. In 1898, the
limits and saw mill were sold to the
Holland & Emery Lumber Co., and
Turner & Fisher. In the meantime, Mer-
riII, Ring & Co., established yard in
Toledo, to handle cut stuff, and af 81
the sale of the Byng Inlet property, Mr..
Fordney disposed Of his interest with
the firm. He still owns lands on the
Pacific coast, with Merrill & Ring,
and also with John p. Fleitz, OF Detroit,
and has also been interested In Wash
ington timber land, with Charles II.
Davis, of the west side.
All told, Mr.. Fordney is interested
I'm $4,000 acres of timber lands on the
Pacific coast.
During the winters Of 1895, 1896 and
1897, Mr.. Fordney numbered on his
own account, In the northern peninsula,
and owns some timber land there now.
Most of his peninsula property, how
ever, is now farming land, the timber
being nearly all taken off. 1t is evident
from what little has been said here,
that Mr.. Fordney's life has been an
exceedingly busy one, and it is crafty
ing to know that bis labor has not
been without satisfactory rewards.
And not In lumber alone, has the popu-
TAR congressman for the Eighth dis
trict made hin self felt in the busy
world. He has always been warm
friend TO Saginaw, and taken a more
than passing interest In the promo