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James F. and John A. Forney James F. and John A. Forney, who are successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits in Linton township, are the largest importers of French Percheron horses in this part of the state. James F. Forney was born in Linton township on the 4th of September, 1859. His paternal grandfather, who was the first white child born in Guernsey county, Ohio, removed to Linton township, Coshocton county, where he entered more than a thousand acres of land. The grandmother of our subject had the honor of naming Linton township when it was organized. A. Z. Forney, father of James F. Forney, was born in Linton township, April 14, 1828, and became very successful in his business undertakings, being one of the earliest stock-raisers. He wedded Miss Hulda Doty, whose birth occurred in New Jersey, July 6, 1825, and who passed away on the 29th of June 1896. A. Z. Forney survived her for a number of years, his demise occurring in Linton township on the 4th of April, 1904. Unto this worthy couple were born seven children: Harriett, the wife of Frank McAllister; Joseph, of Texas; James F. and John A., who are the subjects of this sketch; Sarah, the wife of T. K. Swan, of Guernsey county, Ohio; Rachel, who is the wife of Isaac McAllister and resides in Linton township and one who is deceased. James F. Forney remained under the parental roof and worked for his fathers until he was twenty-three years of age, when the latter decided to turn the farm over to his two sons, James F. and John A. One the day that John A. Forney attained his majority he and his brother formed a partnership, which has been successfully continued to the present time. They own seven hundred acres of rich and valuable land in Linton township, John A. residing on his farm of four hundred acres, while James F. has lived on his tract of three hundred acres since 1893. They are the largest importers of French Percheron horses in this part of Ohio, having commenced in this business twenty years ago. They have made three voyages to France and on returning from the last trip to that country, brought back with them sixty thousand dollars worth of Percheron stallions and mares. They have a also handled Clydesdale, French coach and Hambletonian horses, and are widely recognized as prosperous and enterprising citizens of their native county. Since 1905 John A. Forney has been secretary of the American Breeders and Importer Percheron Registry Company of the United States and Canada. In 1882 James F. Forney was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Hamersley, whose birth occurred in Linton township in 1861, her parents being T. J. and Mary L. (Adams) Hamersley. Her father was born in Linton township in 1823 and passed away in 1905, while the mother, whose birth occurred in Medina county, Ohio, in 1835, still survives. Their family numbered four children, namely: Mrs. Forney; Lydia B., who makes her home in New York; Mrs. Lizzie Culberson, of New Comerstown; and Francis, at home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Forney have been born six children: Eldridge, who wedded Edith Wilson and lives near home; Thomas G., Mary, Rose, Helen, and Hulda, at home. John A. Forney was born on the 11th of March, 1862, on the farm in Linton township on which he still resides. On the 15th of September, 1892, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Ella Phillips, whose birth occurred in Guernsey county, Ohio, January 29, 1871, her parents being George W. and Eliza (Mitchell) Phillips, both natives of Guernsey county. The father, who was born in 1821, passed away in 1904. The mother, whose natal day was January 15, 1830, makes her home in Plainfield, Ohio, having now attained the age of seventy-eight years. Of her family of thirteen children, eight still survive, as follows: George L., of Cleveland, Ohio; J.A.D., residing in Nebraska; T. J. of Kansas; G. F., who makes his home in Iowa; Mrs. Josephine Dull, of Guernsey county; Howard, living in Plainfield; Mrs. Charlotte Cosby, of Guernsey county; and Mrs. Forney. James F. and John A. Forney are both republicans in their political views, while their religious faith is indicted by their membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. They are well known and highly esteemed throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives, having won the friendship and regard of all with whom they have come in contact in business or social relations.
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