BIO: David F. FORTNEY, Centre County, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Wayne Barner Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ _______________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _______________________________________________ COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 60-63 DAVID F. FORTNEY, postmaster at Bellefonte, and a prominent member of the Centre County Bar. At the time of the birth of David Fortney (father of David F., the subject of this review) February 12, 1807, his father, whose name, too, was David, resided at Cornwall, in Lebanon COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 61 County, this State. When a young man of twenty-two or twenty-three years of age, David (2) came to Centre county, and, as was the custom in those days, became an apprentice to learn the trade of a carpenter under John Kimport, a brother-in- law. After he had learned the trade, he for many years followed the business of a carpenter, and very many of the large bankbarns and dwelling houses in Penn's Valley, built from 1840 to 1856, were constructed by him or by his assistance and with his labor. He was a man of great energy, an excellent mechanic, a good citizen, large hearted, honest, kind and of the most tender disposition. He was a great hand to take care of and look alter the sick, and was very frequently called upon by neighbors in times of sickness and distress, to help to care for their sick. He married Susan Sellers, a native of York County, Penn., who was born February 17, 1812, a daughter of Daniel and Hannah Sellers. Daniel Sellers, her father, soon after her birth, entered the army in the war of 1812, and died in the service, whether from wounds or disease contracted in the service is not now certainly known. To this marriage were born six children: (1) Mary, who married William Stover, died April 23, 1877. (2) John H., who was a member of Company D, 148th P. V. I., entering the service of the United States in August, 1862, along with his brother, David F., and serving throughout the war; his death occurred April 3, 1887, from disease contracted in the army. (3) James G. is a successful and prosperous farmer near Pine Grove Mills, Centre Co., Penn. (4) David F., the subject of this sketch. (5) George William, a faithful and devout minister of the Gospel in the Lutheran Church. (6) Sarah Ellen, a lovely girl of fifteen, the first of the family called upon to pass over the dark river, dying April 1, 1863. This date also recorded the death of the father, David Fortney, Sr., who died just eleven hours after the daughter, both dying from what was then called "spotted fever". They were buried on the same day, April 3, 1863, in one grave. The wife and mother died at the home of her son James in Ferguson Township, July 19, 1883, full of years and good deeds. She had been early consecrated to God by her parents in the sacred ordinance of baptism, and at the time of her death had been a consistent Christian and member of the Lutheran Church for fifty years. After her husband's death, she generally passed the winters at the home of her son, David F., in Bellefonte, and the summers at the old farm with her son James. She was a sincere woman, kindhearted, generous and thoughtful, exemplary in life, she became endeared to all who knew her. Her influence for good was remarkable, and she filled a place in the family and Church from which she has long been missed. Her son in an obituary notice thus speaks tenderly and beautifully of "Mother". The early training of the family devolved almost entirely upon her. For weeks at a time, and almost continually, father was from home, of necessity, following his trade. She met the duties and responsibilities thrown upon her with unfaltering courage and firm faith that, if she did well her part, the end would also be well. She left nothing undone that would add to the interest, happiness or welfare of her children. To say that she was a good mother, a royal woman, and give the words all the force the language will imply, is but to feebly express her crowning glories. David F. Fortney, practically speaking, was reared among agricultural pursuits. His early education was such as the neighboring schools of the township afforded. He was in attendance at the academy at Pine Grove Mills, during which time he walked over three miles each way every day in the week, and was never tardy. While at the academy in August 1862, young Fortney, with others, the principal included, enlisted for the war in Company D, 148th P. V. I., under the command of Col. James A. Beaver, afterward Governor of Pennsylvania, and now judge of the Superior Court. In less than a year, however, the young man Fortney was discharged from the service for disability arising from fever contracted while therein. He then returned to Pine Grove Academy for some months, and later taught a five-months term of school at White Hall schoolhouse, in Ferguson Township, receiving $20 per month for his services. From April 20, 1864, to the last of September, 1866, he attended what was known as Vermillion Institute, at Hayesville, Ohio, which was in charge of Rev. S. Dieffendorf, and was an excellent school, where he received quite a liberal education in higher mathematics, sciences, and in the Latin and Greek languages. On returning from Hayesville, he taught one term of school in Decatur Township, Clearfield County. Early in life he made up his mind to be a lawyer, and with this end in view, he attended school, and taught probably longer than he otherwise would have done. In the spring of 1867 he entered the law office of Hon. John H. Orvis, of Bellefonte, and while reading law did, for his board, whatever work was to be done on his preceptor's place of some three acres, which comprised an orchard and garden. He was admitted to the Bar April 30, 1869, having practically worked his own way through school, and maintained himself by working part of the time while studying law. From the very first he took high rank as a lawyer, and gained and held the respect of his colleagues, and had acquired a fine practice, COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 62 when he, to some extent, lost his hearing. While this in no way injures his ability as a lawyer, nor interferes with him as a counselor, it does to a certain extent prevent him from engaging in trials in court. As an advocate his ability was recognized by the Bar and the public, and he was frequently employed in cases simply to make the argument to the jury because of his recognized ability in this line. But for this misfortune, there is no public position his friends would not have been willing to give him, and which he would not have honorably filled. He was chairman of the Democratic County Committee in 1871, and again in 1879, and in 1877 was elected district attorney of the county for a term of three years, by the largest majority, which up to that time, in a straight contest between two candidates, had been given for many years. He has been frequently importuned to be a candidate for the Legislature, and just as often refused. He is widely known as the Democratic "War-horse" of Centre County. For many years he has taken an active part in State and county campaigns. He is always in demand as a campaign orator, and is a great favorite with the people of the county. "No man in the county has at any time done more or better work for the continued success of the party, in both county and State, than has Mr. Fortney, and no man in the party has more loyal and devoted friends than he." The Jeffersonian of West Chester, in 1872, paid him the following tribute: Of the speakers who aided in the late campaign, none did more efficient or willing service than David F. Fortney, Esq., of Bellefonte. Mr. Fortney is a robust, energetic and earnest man, who went into the contest determined to do his full duty, and most admirably did he perform it. Mr. Fortney spent two weeks with us, and spoke in almost every section of the county, and his praises are sounded by all who heard him. From January 1882, to January 1888, Mr. Fortney was solicitor of the county, and from January 1891, to the present time (1897) he has held the same office, and in examining accounts that pass through the commissioner's office he has been no respecter of persons in lopping off unnecessary expense or in cutting down bills. The public will never fully know the actual service he has been to them in this capacity. During his first term (January, 1882, to January, 1888) through his efforts there was collected and paid over to the treasury of the county over $32,000. The fund arose from a lot of old claims which the county held against various townships in and outside of the county. Every member of the Bar was arrayed against him, but feeling sure he was right, he pushed the claims, and at the end of about three years' litigation, the county was successful in every case. As solicitor he has hewed to the line, and many irregularities which had grown up in the transactions of the public business were lopped off and destroyed. The people of the county have been reaping, and for many years to come will continue to reap, the benefits of his work, energy and ability as a lawyer. Mr. Fortney is a writer of recognized ability, and editorials occasionally from his pen have been well received and favorably spoken of. In Apri1, 1894, he was appointed postmaster at Bellefonte, and it is worthy of note that in the contest for the place he was backed by the entire Bar and the largest and best business interests of the place. The office is conducted in a businesslike manner on business principles. Strong partisan as he is, politics no not enter into the discharge of his official duties. As a citizen he stands high among the energetic and progressive men of the community in which he lives, and has likely done as much for the good of the public and its advancement as any of the prominent men among whom he lives. Since June 1882, he has been a member of the school board of Bellefonte, and since 1884 he has been continuously president of the board. During this time the schools have made great progress. Under his watchful eye and the enthusiasm of his nature, the schools have been transformed from machines into living moving things in which to educate boys and girls. He takes more pride for what he has done in this line, for the good of the children of the community, than anything else in the course of his life. Through his influence a very fine school library has been started, stocked with the best of books for the young people. Through his efforts alone, a number of prizes have been offered by wealthy citizens of the town, for various excellence in studies and conduct to be competed for by the pupils of the High School. Much good has come from this; the prizes often coming to those to whom they were a great help. He spares no effort to do good and add to the welfare and happiness of the many young people in the schools. He is a leader in educational lines, and his reputation is not confined to his locality but reaches out into the State. For many years Mr. Fortney has been a member of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is also a member. His whole life and influence have been on the side of right. In 1879, when the Amendment to the Constitution of the State, prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors in the State, was before the people for adoption, he went into the campaign for the Amendment with all his COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 63 well-known energy and enthusiasm, and for a period extending over two months he made speeches in every part of the county, and did much to aid in securing for the Amendment the very large majority that was given it by the people of Centre county. He has a commanding personality, tall and well built; with a face forceful and expressive of human feelings, he meets his associates and even strangers with frankness, both socially and officially. On September 19, 1876, he was married to Sarah E. Huey; a native of Harris Township, Centre Co., Penn., and to them has been born two children (twins): David Paul, the fourth in line to be called David; and Katy H., a lovely child who died August 15, 1886, in her tenth year. Her death was keenly felt by her parents, who took great delight and pride in their children. David Paul is now a student at the State College. Robert Huey and Katy Glenn Huey, the parents of Mrs. Fortney, were natives of Centre county, Penn. Adam Huey, the father of Robert, came to America in 1798 or 1799 to escape punishment for engaging in the rebellion led by Robert Emmet against the English Government. One son of Robert, William C., served in the Civil war as a member of Company C, 148th P. V. I., and was severely wounded at- the battle of Chancellorsville.