Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-03
GEN. FORNEY DIES
AT SPRUCE ST. HOME
illness Contracted in Philippine
Service Led to Fatal
Heart Trouble
TO BE BURIED FRIDAY

Brigndier General James Forney
: United States marine corps retired. who
lied yesterday morning ut his home.
1921 Spruce street. after a lingering
attack Of heart disease. will be buried
from his home Friday afternoon. Fever
contracted in the Philippines is believed
: 70 have caused the illness which resulted
In General Forney's death.
Born seventy seven years ago in
Lancaster, General Forney was edu-
Gated at Bolmar's School. West Ches-
ter; Simpsons School, Georgetown, d.
c., and Georgetown University, from
which he was graduated. His parents
we're John w. Forney, founder of the
! Philadelphia Press, and the former Miss
/ Elizabeth Reitzel. daughter Of Philip
! Reitzel, Of Lancaster. His father was
for six years editor Of the Pennsyl-
vanian, a paper founded In Colonial
times, which became nationally famous.
General Forney saw his 1rst mill.
! tary service as second lieutenant
on the flagship Roanoke during the Civil
! War. In 1851 he was promoted to the
rank of first lieutenant and assigned to
command Of the marine barracks at
Washington, later being transferred to
'ortsmouth, N. II. From 1862 TO 1863
he served with AdrSfal Farragut on
the steam frigate Brooklyn, being brevv
' cited for bravery at the capture of Forts
, St. Philip and Washington, which re-
suited in the fall Of New Orleans.
Planted Flag nt New Orleans
He personally boisted the Union iag
over the custom house Of the captured
,fty. attended only by a small landing
party from the Brooklyn and the Va
runa. In the face Of a threatening mob.
and brought back the Confederate ban
ner as a trophy. Under Farragut he
fought at the battles of Chalmette,
Grand Gulf and Port Hudson, the siege
of vicksburg and numerous operations
on the gulf Of Mexico. including a cut
ting. out expedition at Brazos de San
tiago, resulting in the capture OF four
Confederate supply ships.
In 1864, General Forney, command
ing a detachment Of marines, checked
the northward raid of the Confederate
general. Jabal A. Early, which threat
encd Washington for time. From
, 1865 TO 1868, he served as fleet marine
officer on the Hartford, flagship o.
the Asiatic squadron, and was brevetteo
for gallantry in the punitive expedi
tion TO Formosa, where the natives hat
massacred the captain and ere wof al
American merchant snip. which had beer
wrecked on the coast.
Inspected European Navies
In 1872. General Forney was sent b,
President Grant for an inspection tour
of European navies. Upon his return
in 1877, he quelled the labor riots al
Norfolk. From 1883 to 1898. he com
manded, at various times. the marines
at Philadelphia, Mare Island. Cabtor
MIA. New York. During the Spanish
American War, he was in charge Of Tho
Spanish prisoners at Kittery, Me.
among the number being Admiral Ger
vera, who was cap>Ired at Santiago
with 100 Of his sailors.
In 1901, General Forney was trans
ferred to command OF the tirst Bri
gade Of marines in the Philippines
with the rank of colonel. His retire
ment came in 1904 with the rank o.
brigadier general.
General Forney was a member of thu
Loyal Legion, the Society of Colonia
Wars, Society of the Sons of the Revo
luton, Military Order Of Foreigl
Wars. Grand Army Of the Republic
the Union League and the New forl
Yacht Club. :
In 1866 he married Miss Jane Rich
, ardsop. of Lexington, KY, who survive
him, togegther with a daughter, Mrs
William Warden Bodine; son, job,
w. Forney, I'd, and grandson, MaJo
John w. FOrney, ID.