John "Elmer" Forney b. 3 Apr 1871 Letterkenny Twp., Franklin Co., PA; lived in Cordova, Rock Island Co., IL Davenport, Scott Co., IA: Forney & Clark Genealogy Pages

1871 -

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Name	John "Elmer" Forney
Birth	3 Apr 1871	Letterkenny Twp., Franklin Co., PA; lived in Cordova, Rock Island Co., IL
Gender	Male
Death	Davenport, Scott Co., IA
Person ID	I0427	forneyclark
Last Modified	10 Jun 2026

Father	John Martin "Mark" Forney, b. 29 Jul 1841, LetterkennyTwp., Franklin Co., PA; lived in Rocky Springs & Upper Strasburg, PA d. 15 Jan 1927, Chambersburg, Franklin Co., PA; burial: Etters Cem., Salem, 3M N/C-burg, PA, GAR (Age 85 years)
Mother	Anna Margaretha "Margaret" "Maggie" Frank, b. 17 Apr 1836, Laudenau, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany; immigrated to USA October 21,1853 d. 19 Apr 1913, Chambersburg, Franklin Co., PA; burial: Etters Cem.,Salem, 3M N/Chambersburg, PA (Age 77 years)
Marriage	9 Jun 1863	Chambersburg, Franklin Co., PA
Family ID	F0009	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Family Katherine Elizabeth "Kate" Green, b. 25 Nov 1886, Cordova, Cordova Twp., Rock Island Co., IL d. 1948, Clinton, Clinton Co., IA; burial: Cordova Cem., Cordova, Rock Island Co., IL (Age 61 years)

Marriage 2 Sep 1908 Clinton Co.,IA

Children

	1. Elmer Frederick Forney, Sr., b. 7 Feb 1908, Cordova, Rock Island Co., IL d. 27 Apr 1985, Clinton, Clinton Co., IA; bur: Clinton Mem. Cem., Clinton, IA (Age 77 years)
	2. Baby (died at birth) Forney
	3. Margaret A. Forney, b. 1910, Cordova, Rock Island Co., IL d. 1963, Burial: Clinton Lawn Cem., Clinton, Clinton Co., IA (Age 53 years)
	4. John Martin Forney, b. 1914, Cordova, Rock Island Co., IL d. Dec 1960, Burial: Cordova Cem., Rock Island Co., Cordova, IL (Age 46 years)
	5. Emmett George "Clem" Forney, b. 12 May 1917 d. 18 Feb 1982, Clinton, Clinton Co., IA; burial: Springdale Cem., Clinton, IA (Age 64 years)

Family ID F1938 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Last Modified 10 Jun 2026

Notes

Donna Forney Clark: PART ONE contains initial info about the John Martin Forney family that we found from 1995-2005. PART TWO, 2005, by Andrew J. Weyer, Sr. contains, among other things, obituaries, birth and death places, specific death dates, and marriage dates and places relating to John Martin Forney and his family. PART THREE, 2OO5, by Andrew J. Weyer, Sr. contains information specific to the family of John Elmer Forney and Katherine E. Green Forney. PART FOUR, 2005, by Denise Forney contains information specific to the family of John Elmer Forney and Katherine E. Green Forney.
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PART ONE: John Martin Forney
Source:
US 1860/1870/1880/1900/1920 Census:
Barbara Brummett:
JOHN MARTIN FORNEY BORN JULY 1841

(In the 1860 census, John Martin Forney was listed erroneously as only John Martin).
There was a Frederick Forney living in Letterkenny Township, Franklin Co., PA, born in 1810, married to Mary Unknown, born 1808. They lived near John Martin Forney, born 1841, who was married to Margaret N. , born April, 1836 in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany.

In the 1870 census of Franklin Co., PA, Letterkenny, children of John M. Forney and Margaret Forney are listed as Catherine 6, Frederick 4, and Jane 2. (Donna Forney Clark: These are the same children my father, Fredric John Forney, listed in the family Forney Family Bible.)

In the 1880 census of Franklin Co., PA, Letterkenny, children of John M. Forney, a farmer, and Margaret A.(?) Forney are listed as Fredric F., Jennie E. 11, John E. 9, Clara A. 6, Ira James 4, and Abraham L. (Donna Forney Clark: These are the same children my father, Fredric John Forney, listed in the family Forney Family Bible.)

1900c still in Letterkenny Twp, John is 58, b. Jly 1841 PA and Margaret 64, b. Apr 1836 Germany and Irah (as it was spelled) was 24 and b. Jan 1876 PA.

no index for the 1910c

1920c John M, father, 77, is living with Ira J 43, wife, Minnie, 40, & daughter Margaret 16. (Wife is obviously dead)

Source:
David R. Clark, M.D.:
Headstone reads: Margaret Frank Forney 1836-1913.

Source:
http://valley.vcdh.virginia.edu/
Franklin Repository Newspaper, July , 1863
Married(Column 2)
July 8, 1863 (page 05, column 2)
On June 9, at the Lutheran parsonage, by Rev. J. Steck, John M. Forney, of Strasburg, married Margaret A. Frank, of Chambersburg.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Steck , John M. Forney , Margaret A. Frank )

Source:
Census info from Barbara Brummett:
In the 1850c PA Franklin Co/Letterkenny T were: FORNEY
Frederick 40 PA
Mary 43 PA
Martha 18 PA
Maria 16 PA
John 10 PA

1860c Franklin Co/Letterkenny T/ P.O. Upper Strasburgh:
Fred 47 (Day Laborer) PA
Mary 50 PA
John Martin 18 PA

In Franklin Co/Green Twp:
Salem Cemetery (3 mi N/Chambersburg)
John M Forney 1841-1927
wife: Margaret Frank 1836-1913
son Martin L Forney 1882 (age 1m 28d)

Source:
Carol Lougene Wolf Britton:
John M. Forney, Letterkenney, 279, 30, 2 Sgt. D 126th PA.
On John M. Forney's tombstone at Salem Cemetery: Co. G, 126th Regiment PA Volunteers.
He enlisted: Forney John M. Sgt. G 126th Pa. Chambersburg, Pa. enlisted on 8/4/1862 from
http://valley.vcdh.virginia.edu/govdoc/soldiers_dossier.html

126th Regiment Infantry
Organized at Harrisburg August, 1862. Left State for Washington, D.C., August 15, and duty there until September 12. Moved to Sharpsburg, Md., and attached to 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. Duty at Sharpsburg, Md., until October 30, 1862. Reconnaissance from Sharpsburg to Smithfield, W. Va., October 16-17. Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 30-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. Burnside's 2nd Campaign, "Mud March," January 20-24, 1863. Duty at Falmouth until April 27. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Mustered out May 20, 1865.
Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 30 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 34 Enlisted men by disease. Total 65.

Source:
Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 1870 Population Census, Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War, Virginia Center for Digital History, University of Virginia ( http://valley.vcdh.virginia.edu/govdoc/pop_census.html ):
Donna Forney Clark:
In the 1870 census, these are all the Forneys living in Upper Strasburg, PA. I suspect that Adam Forney may be the brother of John Forney, son of Frederick and Mary Forney. (The number that preceeds each name is the family number):
276 1 Forney Adam 24 M white Laborer Letterkenny Township Upper Strasburg
276 2 Forney Eliza 21 F white Housekeeper Letterkenny Township Upper Strasburg
396 1 Forney John 28 M white Laborer Letterkenny Township Upper Strasburg
396 2 Forney Margaret 31 F white Housekeeper Letterkenny Township Upper Strasburg
396 3 Forney Catharine 6 F white Letterkenny Township Upper Strasburg
396 4 Forney Frederick 4 M white Letterkenny Township Upper Strasburg
396 5 Forney Jane 2 F white Letterkenny Township Upper Strasburg
403 1 Forney Frederick 60 M white Laborer Letterkenny Township Upper Strasburg
403 2 Forney Mary 62 F white Housekeeper Letterkenny Township Upper Strasburg

Adam and Eliza seem to appear with their niece in the 1880 US Guilford, Franklin, Pennsylvania Census:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Adam FORNEY Self M Male W 33 PA Laborer PA PA
Elizabeth FORNEY Wife M Female W 32 PA Keeping House PA PA
Niece KELLY Other S Female W 6 PA PA PA
(Other families nearby are Forneys, Dyserts, and McFerrens.)

Source:
Barbara Brummett:
Barbara gave me the info from 1880 census that John Mark Forney was married to Margaret N. ( b. 1836). The census reference gave location of the family in Letterkenny Twp, Franklin Co., PA. Headstone reads: Margaret Frank Forney 1836-1913.

Source:
US 1880 Census of Letterkenny, Franklin, Pennsylvania:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
John M. FORNEY Self M Male W 38 PA Farmer PA PA
Margaret A. FORNEY Wife M Female W 43 HES. DARMSTADT Keeping House HES. DARMSTADT HES. DARMS.
Frederic F. FORNEY Son S Male W 14 PA Farm Laborer PA H. DARMSTADT
Jennie E. FORNEY Dau S Female W 11 PA PA H. DARMSTADT
John E. FORNEY Son S Male W 9 PA PA H. DARMSTADT
Clara H. FORNEY Dau S Female W 6 PA PA H. DARMSTADT
Ira James FORNEY Son S Male W 4 PA PA H. DARMSTADT
Abraham L. FORNEY Son S Male W 1 PA PA H. DARMSTADT

Source:
Chambersburg, PA telephone book, 1909:
There was a Fred F. Forney who lived at 361 East Market Street and was a driver in Chambersburg, PA. (1909 telephone book).

Source:
http://www.familysearch.org/
FamilySearch:
Marriage date for Fredric Frank Forney and Harriette Elizabeth "Hattie" Disert.

Source:
SEE JAN WASSON'S SITE FOR COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION AND REFERENCES:
http://www.angelfire.com/folk/gael/disemain.html
Descendants of John Disert:
Jan Wasson:
Some names, nicknames, dates, & places

Source:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usfgs/pennsylvania/d/DisertSamuel.txt
Pennsylvania Family Group Sheet for DISERT,Samuel Family
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.html
Jan Wasson:
Info on the Samuel Disert (1812) Family
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PART TWO: John Martin Forney
Source:
Andrew J. Weyer, Sr.:
Descendants of JOHN MARTIN FORNEY:
From the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Concerning the family of John Martin Forney:
1. John was born 29 July 1840 or 1841 in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania (pension application says 1841, his death certificate says 1840).
2. John married Margaret in Chambersburg.
3. John died 15 January 1927 in Chambersburg.
4. List of children made on March 22nd 1915 including their birth dates:
Mary C. Bishop 10 FEB 1864
Frederick F. Forney 15 APR 1866
Jennie E. Shaffnit 04 SEP 1868
John E. Forney 03 APR 1871 (DECEASED)
Clara A. Rife 18 JUL 1873 (DECEASED)
Ira J. Forney 19 JAN 1876
A. Lehman Forney 21 JUL 1878 (DECEASED)
Martin L. Forney 29 OCT 1882 (DECEASED)
5. John was wounded in the shoulder by a fragment of artillery shell during a charge at the battle of Fredricksburg on 13 December 1862.

Source:
Andrew J. Weyer, Sr.:
Descendants of JOHN MARTIN FORNEY:
Generation No. 1

JOHN MARTIN1 FORNEY was born Jul 1841 in PENNSYLVANIA, and died Jan 1927 in FRANKLIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. He married MARGARET A. FRANK 09 Jun 1863 in FRANKLIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, daughter of MR. FRANK. She was born Apr 1836 in HESSE DARMSTADT, GERMANY, and died 19 Apr 1913 in CHAMBERSBURG, FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA.

Notes for MARGARET A. FRANK:
IN THE 1870 CENSUS OF LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA (P.O. UPPER STRASBURG) IS THE FOLLOWING ENTRY:
JOHN FORNEY 28 LABORER $200 PA
MARGARET 31 GER
CATHARINE 6 PA
FREDERICK 4 PA
JANE 2 PA

IN THE 1880 CENSUS OF LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA IS THE FOLLOWING ENTRY:
JOHN M. FORNEY 38 FARMER PA PA PA
MARGARET A. 43 HD HD HD
FREDERICK F. 14 FARM LABORER PA PA HD
JENNIE E. 11 PA PA HD
JOHN E. 9 PA PA HD
CLARA H. 6 PA PA HD
IRA JAMES 4 PA PA HD
ABRAHAM L. 1 PA PA HD
HD = HESSE DARMSTADT

IN THE 1900 CENSUS OF LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA IS THE FOLLOWING ENTRY:
JOHN FORNEY JUL 1841 DAY LABORER PA PA PA
MARGARET APR 1836 GM GM GM
IRAH JAN 1876 DAY LABORER PA PA GM
GM = GERMANY. JOHN AND MARGARET HAD BEEN MARRIED FOR 37 YEARS. MARGARET WAS THE MOTHER OF 8 CHILDREN, 7 STILL LIVING. THE CENSUS STATES THAT MARGARET HAD IMMIGRATED TO AMERICA IN 1840. IT STATES THAT SHE HAD BEEN IN AMERICA FOR 60 YEARS.
IN THE 1910 CENSUS OF CHAMBERSBURG, FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA IS THE FOLLOWING ENTRY:
JOHN FORNEY 68 OWN INCOME PA PA PA
MARGARETE 74 GM GM GM
JOHN AND MARGARET HAD BEEN MARRIED FOR 47 YEARS. MARGARET WAS THE MOTHER OF 8 CHILDREN, 6 STILL LIVING. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A COLUMN FOR YEAR OF IMMIGRATION THAT INFORMATION WAS NOT RECORDED.

MARGARET'S OBITUARY IS IN THE CHAMBERSBURG NEWSPAPER "PUBLIC OPINION" ON MONDAY THE 21ST OF APRIL, 1913: "MRS. JOHN M. FORNEY" MARGARET A. WIFE OF JOHN M. FORNEY, DIED SATURDAY AT HER HOME, 51 WEST GERMAN STREET, AGED 77 YEARS. SHE IS SURVIVED BY HER HUSBAND AND THE FOLLOWING CHILDREN: FRED, CHAMBERSBURG; ELMER, DORDOVA (SIC), ILL; R. J., CHAMBERSBURG; A. L., DICKSON, ILL; MRS. WESLEY BISHOP, ROCKY SPRING; MRS. JENNIE SCHAFFNIT, NEW HAVEN, CONN; ALSO BY ONE BROTHER, MR. ADAM FRANK, CHAMBERSBURG, AND ONE SISTER, MRS. WILLIAM F. SMITH, IN INDIANA; ALSO BY TWENTY FIVE GRANDCHILDREN AND SIX GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. SHE WAS A MEMBER OF FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH. FUNERAL MONDAY, LEAVE THE HOUSE AT 10:00 A. M. SERVICES AT SALEM CHURCH AT 11:00 A. M. CONDUCTED BY THE REV. O. C. ROTH, INTERMENT IN SALEM CEMETERY. "NOTE: I BELIEVE THAT R. J. FORNEY OF CHAMBERSBURG IS ACTUALLY IRA J. FORNEY."

IN 1920 JOHN WAS LIVING WITH HIS SON IRA IN CHAMBERSBURG.

JOHN'S OBITUARY IS IN THE CHAMBERSBURG NEWSPAPER "FRANKLIN REPOSITORY" ON SATURDAY, THE 15TH OF JANUARY, 1927: JOHN M. FORNEY DIED OF THE INFIRMITIES OF AGE AT 1 O'CLOCK THIS AFTERNOON AT THE HOME OF HIS DAUGHTER, MRS. WESLEY BISHOP, IN NORTH FRANKLIN STREET. HE WAS A VETERAN OF THE CIVIL WAR, HAVING SERVED DURING THE ENTIRE WAR, PART OF THE TIME IN COMPANY G, 126TH REGIMENT, PENNSYLVANIA INFANTRY AND PART IN COMPANY D, 21ST PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE COLONEL HOUSUM POST, NO. 309, G. A. R. AND SERVED AS COMMANDER FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. HE WAS 87 YEARS OF AGE AND WAS BORN IN LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, WHERE HE RESIDED UNTIL FIFTEEN YEARS AGO WHEN HE REMOVED TO CHAMBERSBURG. HE IS SURVIVED BY FOUR CHILDREN, MRS. BISHOP AT WHOSE HOME HE DIED, MRS. JENNIE SCHAFFNIT OF NORTH HAVEN, CONN., FRED AND IRA FORNEY, BOTH OF TOWN. THE FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT THE HOME OF MRS. BISHOP AT 2 O'CLOCK TUESDAY AFTERNOON; INTERMENT AT SALEM.

Children of JOHN FORNEY and MARGARET FRANK are:
+2 i. CATHERINE2 FORNEY, born Nov 1863 in LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA; died 06 Jan 1948 in FRANKLIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
+3 ii. FREDERICK FRANK FORNEY, born Jan 1866 in LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA; died 04 Dec 1939.
+4 iii. JENNIE E. FORNEY, born Sep 1868 in LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA.
+5 iv. JOHN ELMER FORNEY, born 1871 in LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA.
+6 v. CLARA A. FORNEY, born 18 Jul 1873 in LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA; died 04 Mar 1903 in FRANKLIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
+7 vi. IRA JAMES FORNEY, born 29 Jan 1876 in LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA; died 17 Sep 1944.
8 vii. ABRAHAM LEHMAN FORNEY, born 1879 in LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA.

Notes for ABRAHAM LEHMAN FORNEY:
IN 1913 A. L. FORNEY WAS LIVING IN DICKSON, ILLINOIS.
CAN NOT FIND ABRAHAM IN THE 1920 CENSUS.
IN 1927 ABRAHAM IS NOT LISTED IN HIS FATHER'S OBITUARY.

9 viii. MARTIN L. FORNEY, born 1882 in LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA; died 1882 in LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA.

Found in the probate records of John M. Forney :
Fred F. Forney son Chambersburg, PA
Ira J. Forney son Chambersburg, PA
Mrs. Catherine Bishop daughter Chambersburg, PA
Mrs. Jennie Schaffnit daughter West Haven, CT
Heirs of Clara Rife dec'd
John Rife son Greencastle, PA
Bertha daughter Hamilton Township (Franklin County, PA)
Elmer Rife son Hamilton Township
Hazel daughter Harrisburg, PA
Heirs of Elmer Forney
Elmer Forney son Cordova, IL
Margaret daughter Cordova, IL
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PART THREE: John Elmer Forney and Katherine E. Green Forney
Source:
Andrew J. Weyer, Sr.:
Concerning the family of John Elmer Forney and Katherine E. Green Forney:
JOHN ELMER2 FORNEY (JOHN MARTIN1) was born 1871 in LETTERKENNY TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA. He married KATHERINE E. GREEN 1907. She was born 25 Nov 1886 in CORDOVA, ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS, and died 1948.

Notes for JOHN ELMER FORNEY:
IN THE 1910 CENSUS OF CORDOVA, ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS IS THE FOLLOWING ENTRY:
ELMER FORNEY 39 RIVER CLAM FISHERMAN PA US US
KATHERINE E. 28 IL IL IL
LUCILE S. 6 IL IL IL
ANNA L. 4 IL IL IL
ELMER F. 2 IL PA IL
MARGARET A. 1/12 IL PA IL
ELMER AND KATHERINE HAD BEEN MARRIED FOR 3 YEARS. THIS WAS KATHERINE'S SECOND MARRIAGE. KATHERINE WAS THE MOTHER OF 5 CHILDREN, FOUR STILL LIVING. ELMER AND MARGARET WERE THE CHILDREN OF ELMER.
IN 1913 ELMER FORNEY LIVED IN DORDOVA (SIC) ILLINOIS
IN THE 1920 CENSUS OF CLINTON, CLINTON, IOWA IS THE FOLLOWING ENTRY:
KATE FORNEY 35 IL IL IL
LUCILE 16 SERVANT IL IL IL
ANNA 14 IL IL IL
ELMER 11 IL IL IL
MARGARET 9 IL IL IL
JOHN 5 IL IL IL
EMMETT 2 7/12 IL IL IL
KATE IS LISTED AS A WIDOW.
IN 1927 ELMER IS NOT LISTED IN HIS FATHER'S OBITUARY.
IN THE 1930 CENSUS OF CLINTON, CLINTON, IOWA IS THE FOLLOWING ENTRY:
WILLIAM H. CONOVER 44 CORN SYRUP REFINERY LABOR IL IN MO
KATHARINE E. 43 IL NJ WI
ELMER F. FORNEY 22 FLORAL HOUSE TRUCK DRIVER IL PA IL
JOHN M. FORNEY 15 IL PA IL
EMMETT 12 IA PA IL

Children of JOHN FORNEY and KATHERINE GREEN are:
28 i. ELMER FREDERICK3 FORNEY, born 07 Feb 1908 in CORDOVA, ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS; died 27 Apr 1985 in CLINTON, CLINTON, IOWA.
29 ii. MARGARET A. FORNEY, born 1910 in CORDOVA, ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS. She married MR. GERTSON.
30 iii. JOHN MARTIN FORNEY, born 1914 in CORDOVA, ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS; died Dec 1960.
31 iv. EMMETT GEORGE FORNEY, born 12 May 1917; died 18 Feb 1982 in CLINTON, CLINTON, IOWA. He married MARY JANE STEVENSON 07 Sep 1940 in CLINTON, CLINTON, IOWA; born 30 Sep 1921; died 05 Jun 1997 in CLINTON, CLINTON, IOWA.
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PART FOUR: John Elmer Forney and Katherine E. Green Forney.
Source:
Denise Forney:

Nickname for Katherine E. Green: "Kate"

ELMER JOHN FORNEY (John Martin Forney) was born 1871 in Pennsylvania. His second marriage was to Katherine E. Green abt. 1907, daughter of James Henry Green and Carrie Shaffer Green. She was born 25, Nov. 1886 in Cordova, Cordova Township, Rock Island County, Illinois, and died in 1948 and is buried in Cordova Cemetery, Rock Island County, Cordova, Illinois

Elmer's name appears as a list of clammers along with his father-in-law James Green in a Cordova Anniversary book. It further states, "In about 1897, nearly all able bodied men who were not afraid of the river, and who did not have a job, clammed."

Census: 1910, Cordova Township, Rock Island County, Illinois, 18, Apr.1910. Line 81-82 dwelling 55: Forney Elmer, Head, Male, White, Age, 39, 1st, marriage, married 3 years. Born Penn, United States, United States, Occupation: Clam fisherman on the River. Katherine E., wife. Female, white, age 28, 2nd marriage, married 3 years, 5 births, 4 lived. Born Illinois, Ill., Ill. Daughter Lucile S. age 6, daughter Anna L. age 4, Son Elmer F. age 2, daughter Margaret age 7 months. It also says there was a 5th child that died.

Census 1930 Clinton, Ward 5, ED 15, 11 April 1930, page 231, sheet 11A (lines 48-50), sheet 11B (lines 1-2), dwelling 271 family 333;
Conover, William H., head, rents, $15.00, male, white, age 44, married at age 34, born Illinois, father Indiana, mother Missouri, laborer - corn syrup refinery;
Conover, Katherine E., wife, female, white, age 43, married at age 33, born Illinois, father New Jersey, mother Wisconsin;
Forney, Elmer F., stepson, male, white, age 22, single, born Illinois, father Pennsylvania, mother Illinois, truck driver - floral house.
Forney, John M., stepson, male, white, age 15, single, born Illinois, father Pennsylvania, mother Illinois;
Forney, Emmett, stepson, male, white, age 12, single, born Iowa, father Pennsylvania, mother Illinois.

Katherine was previously married to Mertin Wilcox who fathered 2 children:
1. Sylvia "Lucy" Marguerite Wilcox b. 23, August 1903
2. Anna Alison Wilcox b. June 1907

Children of ELMER FORNEY and KATHERINE E. GREEN:
1. Elmer Fredrick b. 7, Feb 1908
2. Baby died at birth
3. Margaret A b.1910
4. John Martin b.1914
5. Emmett George b.12, May 1917

[Sentence omitted] Following the departure of Elmer, Katherine married a third time to William Conover 20, December 1920. They had no children. William and Katherine are buried together in Cordova Cemetery, Rock Island County, Cordova, Illinois.

Rock Island, Illinois Historical Society Birth records lists: Elmer J. and Katie the parents of Elmer Fredrick Forney 1908, and John Martin Forney 1914

ELMER FREDRICK FORNEY (Elmer John Forney, John Martin Forney) was born 7, Feb 1908 in Cordova, Ill and died 27, April 1985 Clinton, Iowa. He is buried in Clinton Memorial Park Cemetery, Clinton, IA.

MARGARET A. FORNEY (Elmer John Forney, John Martin Forney) was born in 1910 in Rock Island County, Cordova, Illinois. She married a Gertson.
JOHN MARTIN FORNEY (Elmer John Forney, John Martin Forney) was born 1914 in Rock Island County, Cordova, Illinois, and died in December 1960. He is buried in the Cordova Cemetery in Rock Island County, Cordova, Illinois. He never married.

EMMETT (CLEM) GEORGE FORNEY (Elmer John Forney, John Martin Forney) was born 12, May 1917 and died 18, Feb 1982 in Clinton County, Clinton, Iowa at the age of 64 years, and is buried in the Springdale Cemetery in Clinton, Iowa. He married MARY JANE DIAMOND STEVENSON 7, Sep 1940 in Clinton, Clinton County, Iowa. They separated for a brief time and re-married 25, Jan 1947 Mary Jane was the daughter of Arthur Mark Stevenson and Matilda "Tillie" Ann Wlach Stevenson of Lost nation, Iowa. Born 30, Sept 1921 and died 5 June 1997 in Clinton County, Clinton, Iowa and is buried in the Springdale Cemetery in Clinton, Iowa.

More about Emmett G. Forney, as stated in his obituary: he was an organizer and member of the Rhythm Kings dance band. He worked for Dupont in Clinton, Iowa for many years.
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