Samuel Wesley Fordyce (1840-1919) - Find a Grave Memorial

Industrialist. Soon after the Civil War, Fordyce established the bank Fordyce & Rison in Huntsville, Alabama. Ten year later, he got involved with the railroads. He helped reorganized the St. Louis Southwestern Railway Company in 1885 & was named its president. He is credited with constructing over 24,000 miles of railroad tracks throughout Missouri & Arkansas. He became director of the St. Louis Union Trust Company & founded one of the largest health resorts in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Good friends with Presidents McKinley & Grant, Fordyce became active in Democratic politics in Arkansas & Alabama.

Bio by: Connie Nisinger