Yuma County, Colorado Photographs

Yuma County Pioneers

Turner and Mary Jane (Harvey) Forker

One tree said Turner was born Sept 30, 1825 at Coshocton, Ohio, married Mary Jane Harvey there June 28, 1854
It said Mary Jane Harvey was born in Belmont Ohio in 1836, and died Nov 4, 1889.

In 1850 Coshocton County, Ohio, Mary J. 13, born in Ohio, is with William 46 and Rachel 37 Harvey. Samuel J. Harvey is 17, Sarah L. 7.

Turner Forker was born Sep 3, 1825 in Harrison County Ohio, and married Mary Jane Harvey June 28, 1854 in Coshocton County, Ohio.

In 1860, 1870 and 1880 they were in Tama County Iowa. In 1866 he was a charter member of the A.F. and A.M. Lodge in Tama, and was also the Richland Township representative of the Tama County Board.

In 1870 Tama County, Iowa, Richland Township, Turner is 45, Mary J. 35, with Alla B. 4 and Mero D. eight months. Both kids were born in Iowa.

On the same page is Daniel Forker, 37, Ohio, with Rebeca 37, William B. 13, Asa G. 11, Clara 7, James M. 5, and Ella 2. All were born in Ohio except Ella, so they moved between 1865 and 1868.

In 1880 Tama County Turner, Mary Jane, Alla, and Mero are still there, and Rachel Harvey, 67, Mary Jane's mother, wis with them.

1886 Coshocton "Mr. Turner Forker, of Eldoro, Iowa, after an absence of 19 years from Coshocton, has returned and is now visiting friends and relatives in this county." This must Samuel's son, who was with him in Coshocton in 1860, and then moved to Hardin County, Iowa, running a grocery store and selling cigars. Turner Forker, 28, married Libbie Dodge, 27, Dec 30, 1880 in Hardin County.

In 1885 Harlan County "Allie" Forker, 19, is with Turner, a stock dealer, 59 and Mary 50 Forker, with Nero 15.

In November 1889 Turner Foraker was elected a commissioner of the newly-formed Yuma County.

Turner cash-claimed a quarter in 15, 2N 48W in 1890 (Yuma County), and another in section 29 in 1894.

"Mero D." Foraker died Oct 30, 1889 aged 19 years, Turner Forker died 1894 , Mary Jane November 4, 1889 "aged 54 years" and all three are buried in the Yuma cemetery.

November 1889 - "Died-At her home near Yuma Nov 4, 1889, of typhoid fever , Mary Jane Foraker, aged 54 years." Daniel Forker "of English ancestry" came into Coshocton County in 1824, from New Jersey, had W.R. Forker August 28, 1849 in West Carlisle, Pike Township, Coshocton County, brought up on the farm. Later was in the mercantile business with brother Samuel at West Carlisle.


Alnor Forker 1855-1865 died in Tama County Iowa, Rosa 1860-1865 also in Tama County, Mero D. 1 870-1889, and Alla B. born 1866-1867 marrying
Turner cash-claimed a quarter in 15, 2N 48W in 1890 - a mile north of downtown Yuma.
MISSING IMAGE ForkerMero.jpg

Turner is buried in Yuma dying 1894, Mero D. 1889 and Mary Jane 1889.
Sept 5, 1902 "The Hart family, who purchased the Foraker ranch, arrived in Yuma last week."

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This page is maintained by M.D. Monk.