 |
Community
|
|
Fortner/Fortener
Updated September 1, 2001
| About Our Family Research |
|
Ancestral research of the Fortner family dating back to Peter Fortener, a Hessian soldier who joined the American Revolution. This research covers the family's known migration from Pennsylvania, thru Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas and on to Arizona.
It is believed Peter may have come from the area of Ochsenfurt, Germany. He joined the German Battalion of the Continental Troops at Philadelphia in January 1777 and served under General John Sullivan until 1781, participating in the wars agianst the Indians (likely the Iriquois).
His great grandson, John Fortner (my great grandfather) served in the 85th Indiana Infantry during the Civil War and participated in the siege of Atlanta and Sherman's March to the Sea. John's original handwritten diary exists today, with a daily description of these events. During the last days of the war, John was captured by Confederate troops while on a scouting mission but was able to escape during the night by stealing a Confederate soldier's horse. It is said that during his escape he was shot thru the fleshy area just below his lower lip, and wore a beard the rest of his life to cover the scar. A Federally archived file of commanders daily report exists, and there is an entry referring to this event. On March 1, 1865 Capt. J. E. Brant wrote in his daily report, "Yesterday one of my men was captured and he returned at night with fair success." John's last diary entry was two days earlier. During his later years, the family lived in Neosho, Mo. where John owned the Racket Store (a form of hardware store) which exists today as a fabric and frame store. It is located downtown Neosho on the west edge of the town square, across the street from the court house.
|
| |
|
Family Trees
(viewing trees requires 4.0 or later browser)
|
|
|
| |
|
Family Photos
|
- Birthplace of Alec Fortner (154 KB)
Birthplace of Alec Fortner taken in Oct. 2000, with inset of how it likely appeared in the 1880's. Located about 3 miles south and 1 mile west of New Albany, KS
- Michael J. Fortner (246 KB)
Mike Fortner, son of Joseph E. Fortner and Lillian D. Ramey. Taken in 1999
- John and Sue Fortner (105 KB)
John and Sue Fortner in later years. Likely taken about 1900 in Independence, KS
- Joseph E. Fortner (238 KB)
Joe (Ed) Fortner, son of Alec Fortner and Helena Lennon. Taken 2000
- John Fortner Civil War (138 KB)
John Fortner, most likely at the end of the Civil War
- Alec Fortner (72 KB)
Alec Fortner, son of John Fortner and Susannah Simpson. Taken about 1964
- Michael Fortner homestead cabin (56 KB)
Homestead cabin of Michael Fortner in McCameron Twp., Martin Co., IN. Taken from a colored pencil drawing as it appeared in 1896.
- John Fortner (70 KB)
John Fortner, son of Michael Fortner and Jane Barnes. Taken about 1898 in Neosho, MO
- Michael Fortner homestead cabin (56 KB)
Homestead cabin of Michael Fortner in McCameron Twp., Martin Co., IN. Taken from a colored pencil drawing as it appeared in 1896.
- Michael Fortner (20 KB)
Michael Fortner, grandson of Peter Fortener. Taken about 1890 in Martin Co., IN
- John Fortner home Neosho, MO 1890 (39 KB)
John Fortner home located on Hill St., Neosho, MO as it appeared in 1890
- Jane Barnes (159 KB)
Jane Barnes, wife of Michael Fortner. Taken about 1890 in Martin Co., IN
- John Fortner home Neosho, MO 1990 (134 KB)
John Fortner home located on Hill St., Neosho, MO as it appeared in 1990
- Susannah Simpson (50 KB)
Sue Simpson, wife of John Fortner. Taken about 1915 in Independence, KS
- John Fortner home Independence, KS (117 KB)
John Fortner home located at 604 North 11th, Independence, KS as it appeared in 1990. Death place of both John and Sue Fortner.
- Helena J. Lennon (90 KB)
Helena Lennon, wife of Alec Fortner. Taken about 1957 in Glendale, AZ
- Lillian D. Ramey (116 KB)
Lillian (Darlene) Ramey, wife of Joseph E. Fortner. Taken in 2000 in Phoenix, AZ
|
| |
|
Related Links
|
|
|
| |
| Contact
the Author |
|
|
|  |