10 - Silas Welcome Fordham born: May 16, 1838 in Bellevue, Eaton Co. Michigan, He married Emiline Harris on November 17, 1859 in New Hampton, Chickasaw Co. Iowa.

 The research on this family has revealed that Silas & his younger brother John Fordham must have migrated west to seek out greener pastures. As the 1870 Census Iowa Brimer Co. Polk Township shows Silas, his wife Emiline, 3 children as well as John age 27 Farmer from Michigan. The 1880 South Dakota Census, Grant County shows the same Fordham's along with 6 children. From Iowa they must have traveled to Goodland, Kansas, as their daughter Nellie was born in this town in July 1887.

In 1890 they migrated from Goodland to Kalispell Montana, by covered wagon. In Kalispell Silas obtained and maintained a 160 acre homestead.

 The above photo taken in 1941 is the original house built on their homestead in Kalispell.

From one of my relations I was told of a robbery in Kalispell many years ago, apparently the loot (gold) was supposed to have been buried under a old tree stump on this homestead, but although there has been a lot of searching nothing was found. It was also suggested that some of the Fordham boys were involved in this robbery. Perhaps it was just a tall story.

There has been some discussion over Silas Welcome Fordham second name. When I was in Kalispell a few years ago, Al Hemmer (a son of Nellie May Fordham) advised that his step brother George W. F. Phillips had two middle names (Fredrick & Welcome) which he was named after his Grandparents (Silas Welcome Fordham & Alfred Fredrich Phillips.

Silas & Emiline had 12 children; some of them died quite young, details to follow.

Emiline died June 19, 1913 in Kalispell details to follow.

Silas left Kalispell in 1914, moving to Elmo for a short before settling down in Grangeville Idaho.

On Thursday 19 August 1920 the Idaho County Free Press in Grangeville wrote the following. Silas Fordham is dead at the age of 82. Silas Fordham, 82 years old died Saturday in the home of his son. Theordore Fordham of this city. Mr. Fordham who was born May 16 1838 was a native of Michigan. He was the father of twelve children, six of whom survive him. His wife died about seven years ago. Mr. Fordham resided in Montana for thirty years. He came to Idaho with his son three years ago. Funeral was held Sunday from the Maugg Parlors, with services at the grave, in Prarie View Cemetery. W. N. Knox, Minister, officiated.

Location of grave; buried under the name T. Fordham block 1; lot 1818 3rd grave from the north end.