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Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.

     JAMES F. FORNEY, a farmer and grain buyer whose one hundred and seventy-five acre farm adjoins the town of Mondovi, Washington, was born in Illinois, February 9, 1869. He is the son of Samuel and Sabina (Teeter) Forney, the former a native of Illinois, and both now living at Springdale, Stevens county, Washington. He is the oldest son of a family of twelve children, nine of whom are living. His brothers and sisters are: Elmer and John, at Springdale; Mrs. Nettie Flory, of Yakima; Mrs. Nora Gibson, of Spokane; Mrs. Stella Lytton, Springdale; Alta and Cora, who are at home. Those who are now dead were, Ira, Mrs. Lydia Byers and Myrtle.
      As a child James Forney went with his parents to Falls City, Nebraska, then in 1877 to a farm near Salem, Oregon, by way of San Francisco, where he lived until coming to Mondovi with his parents in 1883. His father took a homestead and was among the earlier pioneers of the vicinity. James received such education as the district schools of his time afforded, and in 1894 commenced farming for himself. For the past seven years he has been buying grain for the Washington Grain & Milling Company at Mondovi.
     He was married December 10, 1896, to Eva D. Wilson, a native of Noble county, Indiana, and a successful school teacher who taught the first school in the new Mondovi district. Her father and mother are Ira and Mary (Matthews) Wilson, both living in Mondovi. They came to Dixon county, Nebraska, in 1880, and to their present home in 1889.
     Mr. and Mrs. Forney have one child, a little girl, Rita, born April 30, 1903.
     Both are prominent and active members of the United Brethren church, Mr. Forney being the superintendent of the Union Sunday school at Mondovi. He is one of the energetic and representative men of his locality.

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