Forgey - Samuel
SAMUEL FORGEY
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, pp 128-131
SAMUEL FORGEY, in early days a successful agriculturist of Montgomery County, Ind., was a man of courage, energy and resolution. An upright and useful citizen, he was always firm in his defense of right and severe in his condemnation of wrong. He was an ardent advocate of temperance, and was opposed to the traffic of liquor, deeming the sale of intoxicants one of the most debasing evils of this generation. Our subject was always ready to lend a helping hand to the down-trodden and oppressed, and in his death his family were not alone bereaved-humanity lost a friend and the entire community mourned the death of a good and faithful citizen. The grandfather of our subject was a native of Ireland, but emigrated to America when a young man and located in Virginia. Soon came the cry, "To arms!" The Old Dominion early took measures for enrolling companies of volunteers, and Michael Forgey, full of ardent enthusiasm, enlisted in the service of his adopted country and fought bravely for independence. The war ended, and the soldier, once more a private citizen, removed to Kentucky, and there was born to him the father of our subject, James Forgey. One of a numerous family, this son grew to man's estate and married Miss Jane Vanscoyc, also a native of Kentucky. Remaining in their early home, this worthy couple became the parents of eight children.
These children, in the order of their birth, are Samuel (the subject of our sketch), Minerva, Sarah, John, Lucinda, George, Elizabeth and Narcissa. Samuel, born in 1819, was bred and received the education of the common schools in Kentucky, where he married Miss Mahala McGill, and with his wife left his native State and located in Montgomery County, Ind. Six children blessed their home. James S. A. resides in Wellsville, Kan.; Elizabeth married George Mills, and lives in Crawfordsville; John is a citizen of Ottawa, Kan.; Frank is dead; George is located in Roper, Kan.; and Henry C. is settled upon the old homestead. One son of Samuel Forgey served in the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. Inheriting the courage and bravery of his great-grandfather, who fought on the battlefields of 1776, this Union soldier engaged in eleven of the fiercest and most deadly battles of the Rebellion, and passed through many perilous skirmishes.
Henry C., the youngest son of our subject, is an excellent citizen, an honest, industrious and enterprising man, a good friend and kind neighbor. He was born in Montgomery County and has spent his life within the boundaries of the State. From early boyhood he was skilled in the necessary duties of the farm, and was a willing and efficient worker, sowing, planting, reaping and attending to the stock. Tilling the soil cheerfully, and with willing hands doing his share of daily toil, he yet found time to attend the public school of his neighborhood and well improved the advantages there pursued. In 1883 Mr. Forgey was united in marriage with Miss Stella McCarty, daughter of Cornelius McCarty, a well-known and highly respected resident of the county where he was reared to manhood. Mr. and Mrs. Forgey have two bright and promising young children, Irva and Iva. The family live upon the old homestead, of which Mr. Forgey now owns, individually, sixty-three acres, pleasantly located and under a fine state of cultivation. As Samuel Forgey was a strong advocate of temperance, so is his son, and never in all his life has he been inside of a saloon. The father and son were also united in political belief and affiliations. Both were stanch Republicans, and to-day the son defends the platform of the party to which his father gave his hearty support so many years. The family are all attendants at the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the active members in all good work. Mr. and Mrs. Forgey are in the prime of early usefulness and enjoy the confidence and regard of a large circle of true friends. -- typed by kbz
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Source: H. W. Beckwith History of Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881) p 425
Samuel P. Forgey, retired farmer, Whitesville, was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, March 22, 1819, and came with his parents. James and Jane (VANSCOYAC) Forgey, to Putnum County, Indiana, when eight years old. Coming to a new country (sic), his education was very limited, yet, having a determined will, he applied himself to reading and observation, and has become one of the well posted men of the County. December 17, 1840, he married Miss Mahala O., daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (OLLIVER) MAGILL. She was born February 1, 1821, in Franklin County, Kentucky. In 1843 he removed to his present home farm in the northeast part of Scott township, enjoying the fruits of his labor and industry. He has five children living: James S. (now in Kansas, engaged in farming) enlisted in Co. B, 10th Ind. Vol. Inf., and faithfully served his country in the dark days of rebellion; Elizabeth J., wife of George L. MILLS, who was also a soldier through the war, serving in Co. K, 11th Cav., 126th Ind. Vols.; John P. is in Kansas, and George W. and Henry C. are at home, all engaged in farming. Judging from the neat and thrifty appearance of the farm and its improvements, they are industrious and enterprising young men. Politically the are republicans, and the parents are members of the Methodist Church. - typed by kbz