Well Known Restauranteur And Musician Dies At 90
Henry L. Fordyce, 90, of 191 North Porter Street, Waynesburg, who for more than 50 years was one of Waynesburg's most widely known restaurant operators, died in his home after a long illness at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27, 1971.
He had been associated with community bands since the age of 10 and was noted for his skill on the piano, trumpet and alto horn.
A son of Albert Giles Fordyce and Malissa Burge Fordyce, he was born August 6, 1881, on Hargus Creek, in Jackson Township, where he spent his early life. He moved to Waynesburg in 1901 and had resided there since.
He was a longtime member of the First Christian Church of Waynesburg and of the Men's Bible Class of the church, and as long as his health permitted was active in all areas of church affairs.
He was a charter member of the Greene County Men's Bible Association and attended its sessions regularly.
For more than 62 years he was a member of Waynesburg Lodge 469, IOOF, having joined in 1909, and had held all offices in the lodge and the Waynesburg Encampment, including that of patriarch. He was also a member and past office holder in the Rebekah Assembly and the Three Links Society, both affiliated with the IOOF.
His experience in the restaurant business dated back to 1901 when, at the age of 20, he came to Waynesburg to work in a restaurant run by the late Charles Sowers. He later worked for the late Walter Stephens, also a longtime restauranteur.
In 1913, he purchased a half interest in the one-time Groves' Restaurant. Shortly afterward, his brother, Jacob Fordyce, purchased the Grove's share of the business and the name was changed to the Fordyce Brothers Restaurant, with the business then being located in the original Burns Building on West High Street.
They later sold out to Bill Higgins and Bob Gilfillan, and for a time Mr. Fordyce worked in the former Grossman Brothers' clothing store and the Waynesburg tin mill.
The two brothers found themselves behind the counter again when they purchased the former Union Restaurant in 1922 from the late Nick Thomas.
It was located on the site of the present Milliken Building, beside the Waynesburg Opera House. Jake later sold his interest to the late Charles (Red) Taylor, their nephew, who in turn sold out to Henry Fordyce, who moved the business to the Hook Building on East High Street, where it remained for the next 34 years.
As the town's only all-night restaurant, it not only served the town's residents, but was a stop for cross-country truck drivers, pipeliners, and miners on their way to and from work. It also served as a place for Waynesburg College students to hold all-night cramming sessions in preparation for exams.
Mr. Fordyce retired in 1954 after undergoing an eye operation, and turned the business over to his son and daughter, Bill and Marguerite. In 1960, following Bill's death, the business was taken over by his son-in-law and daughter, Less and Myrtle Conkle, who changed the name to Myrtle's Town House. The business remained in the family until it was sold in 1967.
Mr Fordyce's interest in music dated back to his boyhood when, under the tutelage of his father, he started to play the trumpet and, at the age of 10, became a member of the once widely-known Mt. Zion Band at Bluff.
He later played alto horn in the Waynesburg Citizen's Band and was a charter member of the Green County Citizen's Band, remaining active in both organizations until they disbanded.
He was also well known throughout the county as a pianist, playing at a number of Greene COunty Institutes and at square dances.
Surviving are his wife, Jessie Taylor Fordyce, whom he married October 24, 1907; three daughters, Mrs. Leslie (Myrtle) Conkle, of Waynesburg; Mrs. Theodore (Laura) Davis, of Waynesburg, and Mrs. John D. (Marguerite) Buchanan of Washington; one son, Harles L. Fordyce, of Lompoc, Calif.; nine grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Olive Haines, of Waynesburg, R.D. 2, and several nieces and nephews.
A son, William H.; a daughter, Jessie Ameda; a grandson, three sisters and three brothers are deceased.
Henry L. Fordyce, 90, of 191 North Porter Street, Waynesburg, who for more than 50 years was one of Waynesburg's most widely known restaurant operators, died in his home after a long illness at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27, 1971.
He had been associated with community bands since the age of 10 and was noted for his skill on the piano, trumpet and alto horn.
A son of Albert Giles Fordyce and Malissa Burge Fordyce, he was born August 6, 1881, on Hargus Creek, in Jackson Township, where he spent his early life. He moved to Waynesburg in 1901 and had resided there since.
He was a longtime member of the First Christian Church of Waynesburg and of the Men's Bible Class of the church, and as long as his health permitted was active in all areas of church affairs.
He was a charter member of the Greene County Men's Bible Association and attended its sessions regularly.
For more than 62 years he was a member of Waynesburg Lodge 469, IOOF, having joined in 1909, and had held all offices in the lodge and the Waynesburg Encampment, including that of patriarch. He was also a member and past office holder in the Rebekah Assembly and the Three Links Society, both affiliated with the IOOF.
His experience in the restaurant business dated back to 1901 when, at the age of 20, he came to Waynesburg to work in a restaurant run by the late Charles Sowers. He later worked for the late Walter Stephens, also a longtime restauranteur.
In 1913, he purchased a half interest in the one-time Groves' Restaurant. Shortly afterward, his brother, Jacob Fordyce, purchased the Grove's share of the business and the name was changed to the Fordyce Brothers Restaurant, with the business then being located in the original Burns Building on West High Street.
They later sold out to Bill Higgins and Bob Gilfillan, and for a time Mr. Fordyce worked in the former Grossman Brothers' clothing store and the Waynesburg tin mill.
The two brothers found themselves behind the counter again when they purchased the former Union Restaurant in 1922 from the late Nick Thomas.
It was located on the site of the present Milliken Building, beside the Waynesburg Opera House. Jake later sold his interest to the late Charles (Red) Taylor, their nephew, who in turn sold out to Henry Fordyce, who moved the business to the Hook Building on East High Street, where it remained for the next 34 years.
As the town's only all-night restaurant, it not only served the town's residents, but was a stop for cross-country truck drivers, pipeliners, and miners on their way to and from work. It also served as a place for Waynesburg College students to hold all-night cramming sessions in preparation for exams.
Mr. Fordyce retired in 1954 after undergoing an eye operation, and turned the business over to his son and daughter, Bill and Marguerite. In 1960, following Bill's death, the business was taken over by his son-in-law and daughter, Less and Myrtle Conkle, who changed the name to Myrtle's Town House. The business remained in the family until it was sold in 1967.
Mr Fordyce's interest in music dated back to his boyhood when, under the tutelage of his father, he started to play the trumpet and, at the age of 10, became a member of the once widely-known Mt. Zion Band at Bluff.
He later played alto horn in the Waynesburg Citizen's Band and was a charter member of the Green County Citizen's Band, remaining active in both organizations until they disbanded.
He was also well known throughout the county as a pianist, playing at a number of Greene COunty Institutes and at square dances.
Surviving are his wife, Jessie Taylor Fordyce, whom he married October 24, 1907; three daughters, Mrs. Leslie (Myrtle) Conkle, of Waynesburg; Mrs. Theodore (Laura) Davis, of Waynesburg, and Mrs. John D. (Marguerite) Buchanan of Washington; one son, Harles L. Fordyce, of Lompoc, Calif.; nine grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Olive Haines, of Waynesburg, R.D. 2, and several nieces and nephews.
A son, William H.; a daughter, Jessie Ameda; a grandson, three sisters and three brothers are deceased.
Well Known Restauranteur And Musician Dies At 90
Henry L. Fordyce, 90, of 191 North Porter Street, Waynesburg, who for more than 50 years was one of Waynesburg's most widely known restaurant operators, died in his home after a long illness at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27, 1971.
He had been associated with community bands since the age of 10 and was noted for his skill on the piano, trumpet and alto horn.
A son of Albert Giles Fordyce and Malissa Burge Fordyce, he was born August 6, 1881, on Hargus Creek, in Jackson Township, where he spent his early life. He moved to Waynesburg in 1901 and had resided there since.
He was a longtime member of the First Christian Church of Waynesburg and of the Men's Bible Class of the church, and as long as his health permitted was active in all areas of church affairs.
He was a charter member of the Greene County Men's Bible Association and attended its sessions regularly.
For more than 62 years he was a member of Waynesburg Lodge 469, IOOF, having joined in 1909, and had held all offices in the lodge and the Waynesburg Encampment, including that of patriarch. He was also a member and past office holder in the Rebekah Assembly and the Three Links Society, both affiliated with the IOOF.
His experience in the restaurant business dated back to 1901 when, at the age of 20, he came to Waynesburg to work in a restaurant run by the late Charles Sowers. He later worked for the late Walter Stephens, also a longtime restauranteur.
In 1913, he purchased a half interest in the one-time Groves' Restaurant. Shortly afterward, his brother, Jacob Fordyce, purchased the Grove's share of the business and the name was changed to the Fordyce Brothers Restaurant, with the business then being located in the original Burns Building on West High Street.
They later sold out to Bill Higgins and Bob Gilfillan, and for a time Mr. Fordyce worked in the former Grossman Brothers' clothing store and the Waynesburg tin mill.
The two brothers found themselves behind the counter again when they purchased the former Union Restaurant in 1922 from the late Nick Thomas.
It was located on the site of the present Milliken Building, beside the Waynesburg Opera House. Jake later sold his interest to the late Charles (Red) Taylor, their nephew, who in turn sold out to Henry Fordyce, who moved the business to the Hook Building on East High Street, where it remained for the next 34 years.
As the town's only all-night restaurant, it not only served the town's residents, but was a stop for cross-country truck drivers, pipeliners, and miners on their way to and from work. It also served as a place for Waynesburg College students to hold all-night cramming sessions in preparation for exams.
Mr. Fordyce retired in 1954 after undergoing an eye operation, and turned the business over to his son and daughter, Bill and Marguerite. In 1960, following Bill's death, the business was taken over by his son-in-law and daughter, Less and Myrtle Conkle, who changed the name to Myrtle's Town House. The business remained in the family until it was sold in 1967.
Mr Fordyce's interest in music dated back to his boyhood when, under the tutelage of his father, he started to play the trumpet and, at the age of 10, became a member of the once widely-known Mt. Zion Band at Bluff.
He later played alto horn in the Waynesburg Citizen's Band and was a charter member of the Green County Citizen's Band, remaining active in both organizations until they disbanded.
He was also well known throughout the county as a pianist, playing at a number of Greene COunty Institutes and at square dances.
Surviving are his wife, Jessie Taylor Fordyce, whom he married October 24, 1907; three daughters, Mrs. Leslie (Myrtle) Conkle, of Waynesburg; Mrs. Theodore (Laura) Davis, of Waynesburg, and Mrs. John D. (Marguerite) Buchanan of Washington; one son, Harles L. Fordyce, of Lompoc, Calif.; nine grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Olive Haines, of Waynesburg, R.D. 2, and several nieces and nephews.
A son, William H.; a daughter, Jessie Ameda; a grandson, three sisters and three brothers are deceased.
Henry L. Fordyce, 90, of 191 North Porter Street, Waynesburg, who for more than 50 years was one of Waynesburg's most widely known restaurant operators, died in his home after a long illness at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27, 1971.
He had been associated with community bands since the age of 10 and was noted for his skill on the piano, trumpet and alto horn.
A son of Albert Giles Fordyce and Malissa Burge Fordyce, he was born August 6, 1881, on Hargus Creek, in Jackson Township, where he spent his early life. He moved to Waynesburg in 1901 and had resided there since.
He was a longtime member of the First Christian Church of Waynesburg and of the Men's Bible Class of the church, and as long as his health permitted was active in all areas of church affairs.
He was a charter member of the Greene County Men's Bible Association and attended its sessions regularly.
For more than 62 years he was a member of Waynesburg Lodge 469, IOOF, having joined in 1909, and had held all offices in the lodge and the Waynesburg Encampment, including that of patriarch. He was also a member and past office holder in the Rebekah Assembly and the Three Links Society, both affiliated with the IOOF.
His experience in the restaurant business dated back to 1901 when, at the age of 20, he came to Waynesburg to work in a restaurant run by the late Charles Sowers. He later worked for the late Walter Stephens, also a longtime restauranteur.
In 1913, he purchased a half interest in the one-time Groves' Restaurant. Shortly afterward, his brother, Jacob Fordyce, purchased the Grove's share of the business and the name was changed to the Fordyce Brothers Restaurant, with the business then being located in the original Burns Building on West High Street.
They later sold out to Bill Higgins and Bob Gilfillan, and for a time Mr. Fordyce worked in the former Grossman Brothers' clothing store and the Waynesburg tin mill.
The two brothers found themselves behind the counter again when they purchased the former Union Restaurant in 1922 from the late Nick Thomas.
It was located on the site of the present Milliken Building, beside the Waynesburg Opera House. Jake later sold his interest to the late Charles (Red) Taylor, their nephew, who in turn sold out to Henry Fordyce, who moved the business to the Hook Building on East High Street, where it remained for the next 34 years.
As the town's only all-night restaurant, it not only served the town's residents, but was a stop for cross-country truck drivers, pipeliners, and miners on their way to and from work. It also served as a place for Waynesburg College students to hold all-night cramming sessions in preparation for exams.
Mr. Fordyce retired in 1954 after undergoing an eye operation, and turned the business over to his son and daughter, Bill and Marguerite. In 1960, following Bill's death, the business was taken over by his son-in-law and daughter, Less and Myrtle Conkle, who changed the name to Myrtle's Town House. The business remained in the family until it was sold in 1967.
Mr Fordyce's interest in music dated back to his boyhood when, under the tutelage of his father, he started to play the trumpet and, at the age of 10, became a member of the once widely-known Mt. Zion Band at Bluff.
He later played alto horn in the Waynesburg Citizen's Band and was a charter member of the Green County Citizen's Band, remaining active in both organizations until they disbanded.
He was also well known throughout the county as a pianist, playing at a number of Greene COunty Institutes and at square dances.
Surviving are his wife, Jessie Taylor Fordyce, whom he married October 24, 1907; three daughters, Mrs. Leslie (Myrtle) Conkle, of Waynesburg; Mrs. Theodore (Laura) Davis, of Waynesburg, and Mrs. John D. (Marguerite) Buchanan of Washington; one son, Harles L. Fordyce, of Lompoc, Calif.; nine grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Olive Haines, of Waynesburg, R.D. 2, and several nieces and nephews.
A son, William H.; a daughter, Jessie Ameda; a grandson, three sisters and three brothers are deceased.
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