New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-12-10
UARY.
John w. FORNEY.


PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 9.-ColoDel John w.
Forney died al his residence. in South Washington
square, at $50 o'clock this morning Of BrishtS disease
Colonel Forpev wac born at Lancaster Penn, scptem-
Der 80 1917 when thirteen years old he was torced 10
abandon his studies in the common school ana earn lis
own bread He first entered store. but three years
later lin 1889 he became apprentice III inc LdhodS
Ter Journal Office. There be e1ceiled at the
case was accurate as proofreader' anu
exhibited q striking briliiancy IN ms hrst
essays in editorial writing In 1887 he bonth share
in The Inetycncer and three years later that newspa-
per was combined with 7he Journal. As the editor
Of The InteLigrnccr and Journal, IA well IA from
inclination Colonel Forucy constrained TO take an
active part in p litics He was recognized as
leader m the Democratic party and his Journal became
one the strongest organs of the party During the
Presidential campaign OF 1914 he published campaign
journal called The HGndeGier and his influence upon
the of the keystone State had been too marked to
be passed over and in 1913 President Polk rewarded
him with the post of Deputy Surveyor Of the Port Of
Philadelphia Colonel Forney at this time sold ont his
interest in the Lancaster journal and purchased hall
interest The Pennsyipatd, then the strongest Demo
cratic journal in Philadelphia.
In 1851 he resigned his edtorshp OF The Penn
syivdnian, and from that time until 1855 he WAS
Clerk of the House OF Representatives at
Washington. AS Clerk Of the XXXIlld Congress 1t was
his fortune 10 preside over the deliberations OF the
House during the STORMY cont csted campaign which at
tended the organization of the XXXIVth Congress- and
resulted in the election OF General Banks as speaker
For his course during this contest he received The
motion of two Republican members from Ohio. Benia
min stanton and Lewis u. Campbell (uow Democrat.
the thanks Of the House Cor his "ds'nguished ability
fidelity and impartiaity during the contest AT this
time Colonel Fornoy OF the most influential and
conspicuous Of the politicians in Washington and the
record lac had made and the power he had acquired In
the House strengthened by his pur-
chase of The Washington Union the acknowledged or
gan of President Fierce's Administration. Re
chosen chairman OF the Democratic state Committee
The alliance between James Buchanan and Colonel
result in dscOTd The Pennsylvania and The Washington
Union old much toward securing MI BUCHANAN elect
ion and 1t generally expected that Colonel FOrney
would be rewarded with some important appointment.
His hopes however,, were disappointed and rupture
between the two not long IN coming Colonel
FOrncy is believed 10 have spent several fortunes during
his brilliant career and II happened that he had
just reached the last confines OF one Of them when.
in 1857 he found the doors OF the White House virtually
1857. that he issued the first number Of The iadephd
IreSS His first editorial however showed that he was
hered 10 the platform LAID down by his party. In the
same year he became the Democratic candidate for
United states senator, but was defeated by simon Cam,
eron, who elected by the Republicans with the aid
OF three Democrats Colonel Forney never ofgavc the
senator for this defeat In 1889 he was again elcsed
Clerk OF the House.
When the Lecompton Contribution OF Kansas became
topic OF public debate, and buchanan administration
showed a proslavery inclination Colonel Forney be
came his determined opponent, ana openly al
lied himself with the Republican party.
In 1868 started The Washington Chronicle as sun
day journal in 1863 1t became daily publication
and Recognized as the organ OF the National
Government. In 1861 Colonel Forney elected sec
rotary OF the Senate position which he held until 1865
During the he took active part, professionally
and personally, in organizing tbs Union 3ague brief
holiday in Europe after the resulted In series OF
letters The Press and Chronicle, and these
were published In 1867 in volume called " Let
ters from Europe" Returning to his editorial chair
began the publication of series
OF Anecdotes OF Public Men for which his intimate
connection with leading for many years had lur-
nshed him with abundant and entertaining material.
These anecdotes aierwdrs collected into two vol
Colonel FOrney disposed OF his interest IN The
Chronicle 1870 aud OF ms interest IN Ie sunday Press
in 1874 and in 1877 he severed m connection WIN me
Ddtty In 1874 or 1873 he again sailed for Europe
lac rendered valuable service volunteer Ccnen
NAL Commissioner. On his return IN 1876 ne published
book called A Centennial Commissioner III England
In 1877 again abroad. The ITOgreGs. weekly
literary Journal established by him in 1878. and in
ed as serial In 1880 he lett the Republican party aud
During tue campaign published " The Lives OF the
Denocratic Nominees In 1872 he supported
Buckaew for Governor OF Pennsy lyania against Cen
eral HaTtrinft, the Republican candidate, urging tiat
latter could he defeated in October without endan
ge ring Grants election IN November
Colonel FOrney impusiye aud generous 20 fault,
ana his deeds OF private bencyOlence were many Ho
leaves widow, two sons, Lieutenant Colonel James
Furney, of the mariDeH aud John W. FOrey, Jr, jour
nast and three daughters one OF whom Is Mrs. w. W.
WelgICy.