Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 14, 1946.
WILLIAM FORNEY TAKES OWN LIFE
Bullet Wound Proves Fatal To Recorder
Long Period of Ill Health Blamed By Friends For Wednesday Night Act
Despondent over ill health, William B. Forney, 62, Porter county recorder, and for many years identified with public life in Valparaiso and Porter county, took his life at 10:15 o’clock Wednesday night by shooting himself in the heart with a .38 caliber revolver in his home, 3 Brown avenue.
Alphea Williamson, who had been staying at the Forney home during the latter’s illness, discovered the body. Williamson told Coroner H. A. Flynn, of Chesterton, he had been sent to the basement by the ill man to attend the furnace. While in the basement, Williamson said he heard a heavy thud on the floor, but no sound of a gun. When he returned upstairs he found the body of Forney crumpled on the floor.
Williamson notified Dr. E.H. Miller, Forney’s doctor. Following an examination the physician pronounced him dead.
Mr. Forney had been in ill health for several years, and for the last week had been confined to his home by an attack.
Born in White County
The descendant was born on a farm in White county, Ind., on Nov. 1, 1883, a son of John W. and Anna (Buchan) Forney. He came to Valparaiso with his parents when a small boy.
After attending the Valparaiso schools he entered the Northern Indiana School, now Valparaiso university, where he completed the commercial course.
For several years he followed farming and later was employed at the Lowenstine store.
Keenly interested in sports, he became a professional baseball player, and saw service as a catcher with teams in the Three-Eye and Texas leagues. He was also accorded tryouts by several major league clubs. He was well known in football circles, being a member of the Valparaiso Tigers which some 40 years ago were acclaimed northern Indiana semi-professional football champions.
His first entry in Porter county public life was in 1913 when he was appointed deputy sheriff by W.S. Lindall. After serving in this capacity for four years, he was elected sheriff in 1916, and re-elected in 1918.
Entered Real Estate
After leaving the sheriff’s office he became associated with the late Charles S. Peirce in the real estate and insurance business.
After selling his interests to Peirce, Forney became deputy under William Pennington, who had been elected sheriff. At the close of Pennington’s term, Forney became a candidate in 1924 and was elected to the post. He was reelected in 1926.
In 1938 he again became a candidate for office and was elected by a big majority to the office of county recorder. He was re-elected in 1942. His present term would have expired on Dec. 31, 1947.
He was amember of old Company L. Indiana National Guard, of this city, and accompanied the unit to the Mexican border in 1916 when President Wilson sent troops there to protect this country against Mexican uprisings.
Elks Official
Forney was prominent in Elks’ lodge circles, and served as exalted ruler of the Valparaiso lodge. He was also a member of the Sons of Union Veterans.
He was united in marriage to Mina Frohmader, of South Bend, She preceded him in death 10 years ago.
Surviving is one brother, John L. Forney, of Valparaiso, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorial services have been set for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Stinchfield funeral home, 55 Jefferson street, and will be private. Rev. C.C. Starn, of the First Presbyterian church, of which the decedent was a member, will officiate. Burial will be in Maplewood cemetery.
Friends may call at the Stinchfield funeral home Friday evening and up until Sunday noon.
