Mahala Jordan

Mahala (or Mahalia) was reportedly born in New York in 1815. She married Samuel Torrance Hovey in Tioga County, New York. He died in 1871 in Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa, and Mahala remarried on Sept. 11, 1878, to John Fordice (1811-1887). The wedding took place in Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa. He was 67 and she was 63. She was his third wife. He died in 1887..

Her maiden name was found on the marriage record of her son, Willis. E. Hovey.

John Fordice's obituary was printed in the Fairfield Ledger, Aug. 24, 1887, and transcribed by Joey Stark (no relation) here as follows: "SUDDEN DEATH OF AN OLD CITIZEN. The report was circulated Saturday about noon that a man had fallen dead on the sidewalk in front of Mrs. Swayne's residence. Inquiry developed the fact that John FORDICE was the name of the dead man. Coroner Evans was notified and empanelled a jury of W. K. Alexander, B. A. Mikesell and J. W. Schafer.... The remains were taken home for burial. Mr. FORDICE was quite a fleshy man, weighing nearly 200 pounds, and was about 78 years of age. He had been a citizen of Jefferson County for many years, and for a long time was postmaster at Salina. He was a member of the Free Methodist Church and an exemplary citizen in all respects. In their bereavement the aged wife and the children have the earnest sympathy of many friends."