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Jacob Forney
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JACOB FORNEY, who filled so large a place, While living, in the esteem of the people of Hanover, where his life's work was principally done, was a man of superior mind, spotless character, and distinguished for his practical sense and uneffected piety. He was a son of Adam and Rachel (Shriver) Forney, and was born on the old Forney homestead near Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1797. He was a direct descendant from John Adam Forney who with his wife and four children came to Philadelphia in 1721, from Wachenheim near the Hartz mountains, in the Palatinate, Germany. From family tradition, John Adam settled first in Lancaster county, and remained there until 1734 in which year he became a settler in what was known as "Digges Choice" in the Conewago settlement and a part of his land embraced the site of the borough of Hanover. Philip, one of eight children inhabited a portion of this tract. Philip Forney was born September 29, 1724, and on May 8, 1753, married Elizabeth Sheads, the date of whose birth was 1730. To them were born six sons and six daughters, and their eldest child was Adam Forney, who inherited a section of the lands of his ancestors and erected the old homestead house which now stands on Frederick street in the borough of Hanover. Adam Forney was born June 15, 1754, served as a soldier under Washington in the Revolutionary War, and afterward built one of the first tanneries in the southern part of York County. He was a tanner by trade and did a very profitable business as a tanner and farmer during his active years of life which extended up almost to the time of his death, which occurred June 29, 1822. He was a strict member of the Reformed church, and on October 26, 1784, wedded Rachel Shriver, who died December 7, 1843, aged 76 years. Their children, none of whom are now living, were: Lydia (Mrs. Jacob Welsh), David, Samuel, Lewis, Peter, Jacob, Rebecca, (Mrs. Eli Lewis), Sally (Mrs. Henry Winebrenner) and Susan (Mrs. Daniel Barnitz). Jacob Forney was reared on the old homestead, and made good use of the limited educational privileges of his day. He learned the trade of tanner with his father with whom he remained until the death of the latter. He then turned his attention to the cultivation of land and was so successful as to make it very valuable in a few years. In the meantime, in the march of material progress, came the steam railway and Mr. Forney was one of the first to perceive the importance, convenience and value of a railroad in the southwestern part of the county. With him, to think was to act, and in 1849 he immediately undertook the matter with his accustomed energy, securing rights of way, and obtaining subscriptions of stock for the Hanover branch railroad. Of this company he served as president in 1852, and during the remainder of his life was ever ready and active in its support in any emergency or time of difficulty. When the Civil War came and swept out of existence the Old State banking system, Mr. Forney was one of the first to comprehend clearly the changed financial conditions of the country and moved quickly in the interests of Hanover when provisions were made for the present National banking system. He, in connection with F. E. Metzger and H. M. Schwenk secured the establishment of First National bank which was organized November 20, 1863, and is one of the oldest National Banks in the United States. Mr. Forney was its first president and served in that capacity until 1875. Mainly instrumental in securing to Hanover its railway and its banking facilities, he was likewise foremost and active in all other movements for the benefit or progress of the borough. He rounded out a long and useful life with deeds of kindness, and acts of public benefit. He died January 4th, 1882, aged 84 years. On June 25th, 1829, Mr. Forney married Elizabeth Winebrenner, who was a daughter of Peter Winebrenner and died Nov. 17th, 1861, aged 58 years. Their children were: Anna M., Adam, Jacob and David, who all died in infancy; Sarah who passed away in early woman hood; Mary, now residing on the old homestead; Emelia, wedded to W. S. Young; and Elizabeth who married George Young, who passed away October 16th, 1895. Jacob Forney was a Whig and a Republican in politics, and a member for many years of the Reformed church. While active in the business interests and moral and religious growth of his borough and county, he was no politician or office seeker. He was a man of great force of character, splendid executive ability and excellent judgment. He was a gentleman in the best and truest sense of the word, gentle but manly, the enemy of nothing but what was wrong and the friend of everything noble, true and right. He was a representative business man, and a noble spirited citizen, who enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. He possessed a strong love for home and for the domestic circle, and preferred the society and endearments of his family and devoted friends more than the honor of political life, or the meed of popular applause. Earnest, noble and faithful in life, he passed calmly and trustingly into the valley of the shadow of death, and his spirit left its earthclay casket on January 4th, 1882. His remains were interred with appropriate ceremonies in a beautiful spot in Mount Olivet cemetery. No man's death for many years in the southwestern part of York county was more generally felt or called forth such an outspoken expression of sorrow, for he was deeply loved by his family and wide circle of friends, and singularly fortunate in the possession of the esteem of the community.
