FORNEY, Samuel H. -- Bio: "Professive Men of Montana," ca. 1902
"Progressive Men of Montana," Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Company, ca. 1902. Page 629:
SAMUEL H. FORNEY---Existing ancient records designate a long and conspicuous identification of the ancestors of Mr. Forney with the annals of the American history. His great-grandfather, in agnatic line, was John Forney, who emigrated from France to America in early colonial days, taking up land in Pennsylvania and paying William Penn one dollar for executing the deed. The maternal ancestors likewise located in Pennsylvania in Penn's time, and became members of the Society of Friends. Although the Quakers always insist on peace and discourage warfare, yet John Forney did yeoman service as a soldier in the Continental army of the Revolution. From him the descent traces through his son Jacob Forney, born in Berke county, Pa., and married Sarah Kane of the same county. They were parents of Jacob K. Forney, the father of Samuel H. Jacob K. Forney married Elizabeth McNeil, also born in Berke county, and of their five sons and four daughters, Samuel H. was the fourth in order of birth.
Samuel H. Forney was two years old when his parents removed to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1857, and there he attended school and, as he waxed strong in years and physique, contributed cheerfully more and more to the work of the parents' farmstead. In 1878 he made an expedition to the Black Hills, where he remained a short time, after which he came to Miles City, Mont., and assisted in building Fort Keogh and engaged in freighting the ensuing winter. He then located in Fort Buford, where he secured an outfit and went to Choteau county and assisted in building Fort Assinniboine, after which he continued freighting until 1881, when he secured a ranch on Pine creek, a tributary of the Yellowstone, later disposing of this property and purchasing his present ranch, located nine miles east of Fridley, his postoffice address. To his original purchase he has added until he now has 2,600 acres, and also utilizes a section of land which he leases.
Here he is engaged in the raising of a fine grade of horses and cattle, usually having from 100 to 150 head of cattle and from fifty to seventy-five horses. In cattle he gives special attention to the breeding of shorthorns, while in horses his favorite breed is imported Clydesdale, of which he has one of the finest specimens in the state. Mr. Forney is a man of mentality and marked force of character, and is impressing himself upon the industrial life of Park county, being held in high esteem and occupying as influential position. Politically he gives his support to the Republican party, and fraternally he is a Master Mason and a menber of the Modern Woodmen of America.
On January 3, 1891, Mr. Forney was united in marriage to Mrs. Carrie Chase, born in Tioga county, Pa., the daughter of Edwin and Mary E. (Palmer) Robbins, natives of New York, the Robbins family being of good old English stock, while the Palmers trace their ancestry to the Pilgrims, William Palmer being one of the historic passengers on the Mayflower in 1620. Mr. and Mrs. Forney have four children, Claude, Bessie, Alforetta and Inez.
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This bio is transcribed as a courtesy only. I am not related to, nor do I have any personal knowledge of, and of the above-named families.