Edgar M. Forde, of Emporia, has been for thirty years grand recorder of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has creditably filled the position, a fact amply evidenced by his retention in the office for so long a period. Mr. Forde was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1851. His parents were Matthew and Jessie (Edgar) Forde. His father was of English parentage, though Ireland was his native land. Mr. Forde's mother was born in Scotland. Matthew Forde and Jessie Edgar were married in Scotland in 1850, and in that same year came to America, settling in Buffalo, N. Y., where he engaged in railroading, in which business he continued until his death, which occurred on Jan. 12, 1881. Unto Matthew Forde and his wife two sons (twins) were born—Edwin J. and Edgar M. Edwin J. Forde lived in Buffalo, and died there June 24, 1879.

Edgar M. Forde was reared in Buffalo, his native city, and graduated at the high school of that city in 1868. He decided to study law, entered a law office in Buffalo, and spent three years in preparing for his chosen profession. He came to Emporia, Kan., in 1871, where he was admitted to the bar, on March 4, 1872, being then but twenty-one years of age. Immediately after his admission to the bar Mr. Forde began the practice of law in the office of the late United States senator, Preston B. Plumb, with whom he was associated until 1875, when he formed a partnership with Almerin Gillett, with whom he remained in an active practice until 1880. In that year Mr. Forde was elected grand master workman of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The following year he was elected grand recorder of the order, which position he has since held, devoting his entire attention to the duties of the office, which has obligations to the amount of $58,000,000, the office handling $1,000,000 a year for the society. Mr. Forde has ably directed his personal business affairs, acquiring valuable property holdings in Emporia, in the growth and development of which city he has taken commendable interest. From 1874 to 1888, a period of fourteen years, he served as city clerk of Emporia. He has long been prominent in fraternal relations; is a Thirty-second degree Scottish Rite and Knight Templar Mason, and is senior warden in the latter order. He has held all of the offices in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is a past grand chief of honor in the Degree of Honor of the Society. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Select Knights and Ladies of Security, Fraternal Aid Association, and the Royal Arcanum.

Mr. Forde has been twice married. On Sept. 1, 1875, he married Miss Louisa Tillottson, a daughter of Samuel Tillottson, a merchant who came to Kansas from Ohio, later removing to Illinois, where he died. Mr. Forde's first wife died in December, 1882, leaving a daughter, Jessie L., a teacher in the State Normal School at Emporia, who at the present time is a student at Columbia University in pursuance of a Master degree. On June 12, 1884, Mr. Forde married Miss Mary J. Ingram. She is a daughter of Mr. William H. Ingram, of Buffalo, N. Y. Unto the second marriage of Mr. Forde the following children were born: Edgar M. Forde, Jr., who graduated in the law department of the University of Kansas in June, 1910; Margaret J., a graduate of the Emporia High School, now a student at the University of Kansas; William I., a student at the State Normal School at Emporia, and Mary E., a graduate of the Emporia High School.