As stated in the Adjutant General's Report, Joshua N. Fortney was born in Preston County, West Virginia, 1825-30. He was the son of Peter Fortney, Jr. and Theodosia "Dosia" Tyirmer/Turner (dau of Zachariah), married 16 Jun 1815 in Monongalia County, W.Va. Peter Fortney, Sr. served in the Revolutionary War.

     Joshua Noah married Mary Catharine Pell at the home of Jonathan Fortney, near Independence, Preston County, W.Va., 7 Mar 1859. She was the daughter of Fairfax and Mary (Pyles) Pell. The marriage was performed by Rev. David Roderick.

     Joshua N. Fortney, 30, and his wife, Mary C., 22, appear in the 1860 census of Harrison County, West Virginia. They are living next door to Catharine Fortney, 66, Head of Household, and her sons, John, George and Sotha (Seth). Catharine is Catharine Orr, the widow of Joshua Noah Fortney, born 10 Jul 1794 and died 26 Sep 1854, the son of Peter Fortney, Sr.

     As previously stated, Joshua Noah Fortney went by "Noah." His son's marriage record, 21 Aug 1887 in Harrison County: Oscar T. Fortney, 27, son of "Noah" and Mary, married Mary C. Longnete(?), 19, dau of James W. and Margaret. - The 1880 census further indicates that he was "Noah."

1860 Census, Harrison County, WV:
302-302
Catharine Fortney, 66, Va
John, 25, Farm Laborer
Sotha, 18, Farm Laborer (Seth)
George, 26, Farm Laborer

303-303
Joshua M. Fortney, 30, Farm Laborer
Mary C., 22
Oscar, 2
Unnamed female, 3 months.

1870 Census, Harrison County, WV:
Joshua Fortney, 42, Gunsmith
Mary C., 32, Keep house
Oscar, 11
Florence, 10
Ada B., 6
Admiral D., 2
Mary C., 1 month
Marcellus N PELL, 22, Laborer

1880 Census Clay District, Harrison County, WV
Source: FHL Film 1255403 National Archives Film T9-1403 Page 170B
Noah FORTNEY, 53, ---
Mary C. FORTNEY, Wife, 45, WV
Belle FORTNEY, Dau, 15, WV
Admiral FORTNEY, Son, 10, WV
Peter F. FORTNEY, Son, 9, WV
Mollie FORTNEY, Dau, 8, WV
Elanora FORTNEY, Dau, 3, WV
Ira FORTNEY, Son, 1, WV

1890 Special Census, Harrison County, WV
Fortney, Joshua, Pvt., 12 West Virginia Infantry, 8/13/62 - 7/1/65.

     According to his widow's pension application, National Archives, Joshua N. Fortney died 28 Oct 1899, near Clark, Harrison County, West Virginia at "15 before 3 p.m." He was buried in the Free Mason Cemetery near Shinnston, W.Va. (Shinnston Masonic Cemetery) Mary C. Fortney died 25 Sep 1910.