Husband David F. Fortney 1
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: David Fortney (1807-1863) 1
Mother: Susan Sellers (1812-1883) 2
Marriage: 19 Sep 1876 3
Wife Sarah E. Huey 3
Born: - Harris Twp, Centre Co, PA
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Robert Huey ( - ) 3
Mother: Katy Glenn [Unk] ( - ) 3
Children
1 M David Paul Fortney 3
Born: Abt 1876
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Status: Twin
2 F Katy H. Fortney
Born: Abt 1876
Christened:
Died: 15 Aug 1886 3
Buried:
Status: Twin
Spouse: Did Not Marry
General Notes: Husband - David F. Fortney
He 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 Civil War in Company D, 148th P. V. I., under the command of Col. James A. Beaver, afterward Governor of Pennsylvania, and 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 soldiering. He then returned to Pine Grove Academy for some months, and later taught a five-months term of school at White Hall school house, 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 studing 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, when he, to some extent, lost his hearing. While this in no way injured his ability as a lawyer, nor interfered with him as a counselor, it did 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 was 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 was frequently importuned to be a candidate for the Legislature, and just as often refused. He was widely known as the Democratic "War-horse" of Centre County. For many years he took an active part in state and county campaigns. He was always in demand as a campaign orator, and was 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. Mr. Fortney was solicitor of the county, and beginning in January, 1891, for several years he held the same office, and in examining accounts that pass through the commissioner's office he was no respecter of persons in lopping off unnecessary expense or in cutting down bills. The public will never fully know the actual service he performed for 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 hewed to the line, and many irregularities which had grown up in the transaction of the public business were lopped off and destroyed. The people of the county enjoyed, and for many years afterward continued to reap, the benefit of his work, energy and ability as a lawyer.
Mr. Fortney was a writer of recognized ability, and editorials occasionally from his pen were well received and favorably spoken of. In April, 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 was conducted in a business-like manner on business principles. Strong partisan as he is, politics did not enter into the discharge of his official duties. Beginning in June, 1882, he was a member of the school board of Bellefonte, and in 1884 he became president of the board. During this time the schools made great progress. Under his watchful eye and the enthusiasm of his nature, the schools were transformed from machines into living, moving things in which to educate boys and girls. He took more pride for what he accomplished 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 was started, stocked with the best of books for the young people. Through his efforts alone, a number of prizes were 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.
For many years Mr. Fortney was a member of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member.
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 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 had a commanding personality, tall and well-built; with a face forceful and expressive of human feelings, he met his associates and even strangers with frankness, both socially and officially.