Col. Samuel W. Fordyce
Probably the most conspicuous figure in the construction and
industrial development of Arkansas and the Southwest, since the
Civil War, is Col. Samuel W. Fordyce. His activities for the past
twenty-give years or more have been largely confined to the State of
Arkansas, and especially to the City of Hot Springs, where he has
been closely identified with its interests, and its civic and
political life and development.
In many personal characteristics Col. Fordyce bears a striking
resemblance to the late James J. Hill. As an empire builder, in the
sense of promoting the country material interests through the
instrumentality of the railroads, Col. Fordyce ranks amongst the
foremost men of affairs in the United States.
Until a few years ago he was the moving spirit of the Public
Utilities of Hot Springs and it was under his direct supervision in
a managerial capacity that these splendid plants, that have made Hot
Springs a metropolitan city, were constructed. |
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He is now retired from active life and it is most
befitting that the evening of his existence should be spent near the
beautiful city to whose importance, growth, and prosperity he has so
substantially contributed. His suburban home is one of the most
beautiful and picturesque in the whole country.
Col. Fordyce was born in Guerney County, Ohio, February 7, 1840.
When Lincoln issued his first call for troops Col. Fordyce, who had
barely attained his majority, was quick to respond. He enlisted in
Company B, First Ohio Cavalry, as a private, soon attaining the rank
of Captain and being mustered out as Inspector General of Cavalry
with the brevet rank of Colonel. He settled in Hunstville, Alabama
at the close of the war, where he married Miss Susan E. Chadwick in
1866.
In 1874, when only thirty-four years of age, he was a member of the
State Democratic Central Committee of Alabama and continued in that
position until he removed to Arkansas in 1876.
In 1881, Col. Fordyce became Vice-President and Treasurer of the
Texas & St. Louis Railroad, of which he was four years later
appointed receiver. When the road was organized as the St. Louis,
Arkansas, & Texas R.R. Co., he was made its president and later in
1889, its receiver. The road was finally organized as the St. Louis
Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt) in 1891, on a paying basis, and
Col. Fordyce was its president until 1899. He has been an active
member of the National Democratic Committee from Arkansas and a
delegate to a number of National Conventions.
It is appropriate indeed that the subject of this sketch should
occupy a prominent place in the Centennial Number of the Arkansas
Gazette, the leading paper of the great State of which Col. Fordyce
is a distinguished citizen.
- By Courtesy Hot Springs Public Utilities |
