Iowa
Old Press
THE SIDNEY ARGUS- HERALD
Sidney, Fremont County, Iowa
October 14, 1937
PIONEER CALLED ON EVE OF ANNUAL PICNIC OF OLD SETTLERS
Four Score and Six Years in the One Community
William Forney died Wednesday of last week at his home in the
Dutch Hollow neighborhood north of Thurman after a lingering
illness. Had he lived until November 4, he would have been 86
years of age, one of the oldest if not the oldest native-born
citizen of Fremont county. He was the last of a large family of
children of George and Katie Forney, who were one of the first
seven white families to settle here in 1846. The account of his
childhood is as interesting as any story book. With the exception
of a few years spent on the Missouri bottoms, he lived his entire
life in the neighborhood in which he was born. Besides his aged
companion who was too feeble to attend her husband's funeral, he
is survived by three children, Mrs. Mattie Brittain and Eli
Forney who live near the old homestead, and Charles W. Forney, a
former county surveyor, who is still at home. He was many
newphews and nieces and innumerable friends who will miss this
kindly old patriarch who always lived at peace with all mankind.
Funeral services were held from the Methodist church in Thurman
Friday afternoon conducted by Elder H. M. Pierce of Bartlett.
[transcribed by W.F., April 2008]