Simon Peter Fortney
was born a twin, with his brother John Wesley Fortney, 20 April 1844 to Jonathan David and Nancy Jane (Menear)
Fortney in Harrison County, (now West) Virginia. Simon and his twin must have been good friends, as well as brothers, since they lived as neighbors
throughout their lives, and served in the local militia together.Simon's name appears in the book Fortineux-Fortinet Family in America. It gives his birth, marriage and death dates. Records in Preston County, West Virginia are sparse, so much of the information cannot be confirmed. But since this information probably came from family members who knew Simon and his brother, it is likely to be fairly accurate.
It also has also been difficult to confirm the marriage date for Simon Peter Fortney and Mary Margaret Rowe. The courthouse in Preston County burned in 1869, and all marriage records were destroyed except a few from 1866. Since they married sometime between 1864-1865, there is likely no record extant of their marriage. Other Fortney family researchers record a date for their marriage of 1 January 1865, so perhaps there is a bible record for the family.
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| This is John Wesley Fortney, with his wife and children, twin brother to Simon Peter Fortney. |
It is interesting to note that several Fortneys married into the same Rowe family:
1) Simon's sister, Phoebe Icy Fortney, married Mary Margret's brother, William Albert Rowe, 18 Nov 1870
2) Simon's sister, Adaline Fortney, married Mary Margret's brother, James N. Rowe, in 1877
3) Simon Peter, himself, married Mary Margaret Rowe about 1865, probably in Preston County, West Virginia.
Simon and Mary had the following children:
1) Christmas Marcellas Fortney b. 25 Dec 1865 Preston, WV; d. 3 Apr 1927 Clarksburg, Harrison, WV
2) Dora U. Fortney b. 4 Nov 1869 Preston, WV; d. 23 May 1926 Preston, WV
3) William Steven Fortney b. 12 May 1870 Preston, WV; d. 3 Feb 1940 Marion, Smyth, VA
4) James Joshua Fortney b. 5 Jan 1871 Preston, WV; d. 16 Oct 1950 Morgantown, Monongalia, WV
5) George F. Fortney b. 10 Jul 1874 Preston, WV; d. 27 May 1936 Marion, WV
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| Simon P. Fortney was enumerated in his parent's household in 1850 in Preston County, at five years old. |
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| Simon P. Fortney was enumerated in his parent's home for the 1860 Census in Preston County, at sixteen years of age. |
Simon Peter served on the Union side during the Civil War:
West Virginia Militia Database Item Details: Record Id: 19968 County: Preston Unit: 25 Mil Name: Simon P. Fortney Rank: Private Company: Buckner B. Brown "B" Co. Roll Dated: Oct. 7 - '64
This record shows that Simon appeared on a muster roll in Captain Buckner Brown's regiment. It is uncertain how long he served in the war, since this gives us merely a snapshot of one day, 7 Oct 1864, in which Simon was serving. He may have served throughout the length of the war, though it is uncertain at this time.
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| Photo by Locust Heights & Western Railroad Clarksburg, WV |
Simon also served as a Captain in the Preston County militia.
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West Virginia Militia Database
Item Details: Record Id: 19489
County: Preston Unit: Home Guard attchd to 173 Mil
Name: Simon P Fortney
Rank: Capt
Company: Wm H Moore Co.
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This shows that Simon also served in the home guard, or local (Preston County WV) militia. It has no date, so it is difficult to know what period of time is covered. Since we know that he was in the 17th Infantry within a month of its formation, it is likely that he signed up early in the war and served out the term with the 17th. That he was made Captain in the militia suggests that this occurred after his service in the 17th Infantry.
The fact is remarkable, given that the Fortney family were of the Dunker sect when they first came to America. The Dunkers, like the Quakers, were against making war. Yet, just four generations later, Simon Peter has boldly registered to serve in the military. A hint of how this has occurred can be seen in the name of Simon Peter's twin, John Wesley Fortney. John Wesley was the name of the famous founder of Methodism. This needs to be researched further, but it is obvious that sometime in Simon Peter's father's or grandfather's lifetime there was a conversion to the Methodist church.
We know that Simon Peter made it through the war still alive, since he appeared in the 1870 Federal Census with his family. His occupation was listed as Farmer, so he undoubtedly lived on and worked the land that his father had purchased, on what is today called Fortney's Mill park:
Name:
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Linnie P Fortney
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Age in 1870:
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26
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Birth Year:
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abt
1844
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Birthplace:
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Virginia
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Home in 1870:
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Lyon,
Preston, West Virginia
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Race:
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White
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Gender:
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Male
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Post Office:
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Rowlesburg
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Household Members:
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| Simon P. Fortney, aged twenty-six, was enumerated in his own household, with his wife and three children, in 1870 in Preston County, West Virginia. |
Simon died 13 April 1876, according to the Fortney family book. His widow remarried to his cousin Eli Henry
Fortney. It is not known where Simon was buried. One researcher claimed that he was buried in Samuel Linn Cemetery in Marion County, like his wife, but the cemetery was unable to find any record for him. He has not been found in the Marion County Cemeteries that have been transcribed so far. Since he was last living in Preston County West Virginia, it is also possible that he may be buried on his father's property near Fortney's Mill.
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