F. THOMAS FORDHAM (1881 - 1961)
F. Thomas Fordham for many years a Claybanks Township and Oceana County public official died early Sunday at his home on Rogers Road. He was 80. Mr. Fordham had been in ill health for six years. Mr. Fordham was born January 6, 1881, on the Claybanks farm of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Fordham. Mr. Fordham served 20 years as township clerk, and on the county board of supervisors for two terms. He served on the county board of election canvassers. Mr. Fordham was an authority of Claybanks and Oceana County history. He was a grandson of Dr. Thomas Philips, pioneer physician of that area. He had large collection of Indian arrowheads picked up on his farm and surrounding area. Musical by nature, Mr. Fordham was a talented violinmaker, and versed in the history of violin making and famous violinmakers. He had made 10 violins and two mandolins and at the time he was stricken with paralysis about six years ago had just completed a cello. Mr. Fordham was married June 26. 1919 to Lydia Butzer at the Butzer home in Claybanks. She was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Fred C. Butzer Sr. He attended Claybanks Methodist Church and was a member of Montague Lodge, No 198. Mr. Fordham is survived by one daughter Olive Jane Fordham, principal of Glendale School, Muskegon Heights: two sons, Clifford of Claybanks, an engineer in Continental Motors Aviation Division, Muskegon and Floyd, a teacher at Warren, and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Gee Chapel, Whitehall, at 2 p.m. Tuesday, the Rev. David Renshaw, pastor of Claybanks Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Flower Creek with Masonic graveside rites.
Contributed by Carole Dick (Grandson of Dr. Thomas Phillips September 17, 1961, Montague, Michigan)
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DR. THOMAS PHILLIPS (1817-1890)
Doctor Phillips died at his home in Claybank Township, Oceana County, Michigan on December 8,1890 at the age of 73 years. He was born in New Brunswick 4 April 1817 and was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hartt) Phillips who moved to Michigan in 1849. In 1847 the Doctor went to Oceana and after a year he went to White Lake near Whitehall. With John Hanson, Walter duke and others they explored the shores and the interior of what is now Oceana County and finding lands that were in every way satisfactory for settlements. Early in the summer of 1849 he came back with his family to Claybank. He built the first sawmill in the county at a place called Stoney Creek. After settling in Claybank he farmed and practiced medicine. He married Emeline Bowman on the 13 July 1845 wit whom he had seven children, six boys and one daughter. His wife Emeline died the 27 April 1874. He then married Anna Maria Haggerty (Widow) on the 8 May 1874 eleven days after the death of Emeline. Anna Marrie Haggerty's maiden name was Vanderventer born 16 Nov. 1821 - 7 Feb. 1897.
Contributed by Carole Dick
