JOHN FORTNER GRAVESTONE PHOTO
Independence Daily Reporter, Thursday, October 20, 1904, Pg. 1:
Old Resident Passes Away Wednesday Night
At midnight last night occurred the death of John Fortner, at his home, 604 North Eleventh street. Death was due to a hemorrhage of the lungs, which was the result of a severe attack of the gripp which Mr. Fortner contracted last winter, and from which he had never fully recovered.
John Fortner was a native of Martin county, Ind. There, about 30 years ago he was united in marriage to Susanna Simpson. About 28 years ago he came to Kansas and settled in Elk County, where he resided for several years. About 15 or 16 years ago he came with his family to Montgomery county, and for three years resided on a farm south of this city. He then removed to Missouri, where he continued to reside until February, 1903, when he came to this city.
A wife and five children are left to mourn his loss.
The children are: Will Fortner, A. C. Fortner and J. G. Fortner, all of the city except A. C. Fortner, who now resides at Altoona. The funeral will be held from the family residence, Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock, and the remains will be interred in Mount Hope cemetery. Mr. Fortner was a member of the G. A. R., have served in Company C., 86th Indiana volunteers, and the funeral will be under the direction of the local post.
South Kansas Tribune, Wednesday, October 26, 1904, Pg. 5:
John Fortner, an old soldier, died suddenly Wednesday night last, from effects of a hemorrhage of the lungs, aged about 65 years. He had long suffered from asthma, and was quite feeble, but retired in about usual health. About midnight he was taken with a coughing spell and died very suddenly. In recent years he has been merchandising on north Tenth. He served in Co.C, 85 Indiana Volunteers, and his interment was under the auspices of McPherson Post G. A. R.
Contributed by Mrs. Maryann Johnson a Civil war researcher and a volunteer in the Kansas Room of the Independence Public Library, Independence, Kansas