Nicholas was likely named after his maternal grandfather, Nicholas ANTHONY. A number of online family trees show his name as "Charles Nicholas Furney" or "C. Nicholas Furney". I have seen no documentation reflecting anything other than simply "Nicholas Furney" and would greatly appreciate if anyone can provide sources for either "Charles" or the initial "C".
Several birth dates are reported for Nicholas. Nicholas’ son, Charles, told a niece that Cynthia "Margaret" (Nicholas' daughter, Charles’ sister) shared the same day of birth - Feb 29 – with her father. Nicholas’ Civil War enlistment (Oct 1862) shows him to be 21; census records give his age as: 1850, 5; 1860, 15; 1880, 40; 1900, 55, Feb 1845; his obituary and death certificate have Feb 29, 1840; and the Aug 1946 application for a military headstone has Feb 29, 1841. Given that leap years occurred in 1840 and 1844, together with the previous sources and that his parents married Feb 1840 (he was their third child), I believe it most likely his birth was Feb 29, 1844.
His second marriage records his birthplace as Stark County, Ohio. Some believe it was in Sandy Township, others show it to be Robertsville, both within Stark County. Sometime between his birth and 1848, the Furney family moved to Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana.
Nicholas enlisted as a private in the United States Army in Chicago, Illinois on 24 October 1862. He was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 16th U. S. Regiment of Infantry, commanded by Captain Robert E. A. Crofton.
He was captured in the Battle of Chickamauga, on September 19, 1863, in Georgia. He was taken to a tobacco warehouse known as the Royster Building of Libby Prison, in Richmond, Virginia on September 29, 1863. He was admitted to the hospital in Danville, Virginia with Catarrhous. Later moved to Danville, VA, and imprisoned in another large tobacco warehouse, or factory, known as Prison No. 5. On February 23, 1864, he was again admitted to the hospital at Danville with Debilitas. He was returned to the prison again on February 29, 1864. On March 16, 1964 he was again admitted to the hospital with Diarrhea.
During the winter of 1863-1864 Nicholas' feet were frost bitten. Alfred Wilson, the 1st Sergeant of his company assisted Nicholas by bandaging his feet and caring for him. 1st Sergeant Wilson stated in a letter that "Furney was never excused from duty by reason of any disability during that time that to the best of his recollection said Furney never missed a roll call and was always prompt and faithful to his duty". In recognition of his appreciation and gratitude for Sgt Wilson’s support while the two were imprisoned, Nicholas later named his son Henry Wilson Furney.
On April 30, 1864, Nicholas was paroled at City Point, Virginia; he reported at Camp Parole, Maryland, on May 2, 1864. He was admitted to Hospital District No. 1, at Annapolis, Maryland, on May 2, 1864 with diarrhea and debility. On June 7, 1864 he was transferred to the General Hospital, Annapolis, Maryland with Anemia.
On August 24, 1864 he was returned to duty. During the last six months of his Civil War service, he was stationed on top of Lookout Mountain. He shared a tent with 1st Sergeant, Conrad Zoll of Petoskey, Michigan. 1st Sergeant Zoll states in a letter, "Furney was badly crippled by reason of both his feet being frozen, that, said Furney was unable to do duty that he in the capacity of acting 1st Sergeant continually excused him from duty by reason of his sore feet, that he on several occasions while said Furney was tenting with him saw his feet that, they were covered with sores like burns, the tendons and cords being contracted so, that when the sores healed he walked as though he were club footed and so continued up to the date of his discharge--he never knew or heard of said Furney being excused from duty for any cause that, to the best of his knowledge and belief said Furney was sound and at all times able for duty up to the date of his capture---".
Nicholas was discharged on October 24, 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee - three years to the day that he enlisted.
After the war he lived with his sister, Elizabeth (Mrs. James Smith Hughey) and her family in Algansee Township, Branch County, Michigan (about 10 miles from Coldwater).
On December 25, 1873, he and Martha E. Haines married in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Between 1880 and 1884, they moved with their family of two children to Buckley, Wexford County, Michigan. Son, Charles Furney, tells that Nicholas and Martha moved to Wexford County in a covered wagon with two oxen. They stopped for a night at a half-way house on Briar Hill, between Harrietta and Sherman.
Nicholas and Martha had two more children, the last a child who died at birth and it is believed that Martha too died, of this childbirth, October 20, 1886.
On December 6, 1887 he married Emma Estella "Stella" Bohler. Estella's parents lived across the road from the Furney family who remained in Smithfield Township, DeKalb Co., Indiana. Nicholas took Estella back to Wexford County, Michigan, they had five children, three growing to adulthood.
Nicholas spent many winters in a VA hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan because of pain he had in his feet in the cold weather. He used a cane to walk and was blind the last year of his life.
Following Estella's death on March 28, 1923, he lived with his son and daughter-in-law, William and Bertha Furney. Nicholas died on March 25, 1924 at William’s home.
MESICK 30 YEARS AGO
NICHOLAS FURNEY PASSED AWAY TUESDAY MORNING
At an early hour Tuesday morning, death summoned another old and highly respected citizen-Nicholas Furney. In his passing we chronicle the departure of one "who done unto others as he should be done by," an honest an upright soul, a loving father and a good neighbor. His death takes another from the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic; one who served nearly three years facing powder and shell and for fourteen months was a prisoner in Libby prison. Mr. Furney was taken to his bed early in the winter and gradually grew weaker until Tuesday morning when the final cord was severed and he passed into the realms of eternal peace.
Funeral services will be held at the F. M. Church, Friday afternoon, at two o'clock in charge of Rev. Skanes, assisted by Rev. Spencer, and the interment will be made in the Cornell Cemetery.
OBITUARY [Note: date of birth and age are as published, not necessarily correct]
Nicholas Furney was born in Ohio, Feb. 29th, 1840, and departed this life at the home of his son William in Mesick, Michigan, March 25, 1924, aged 84 years, and 25 days.
At the age of 27, he was married to Martha Hanies (sic). To them were born four children, one dying in infancy. Those living are Frances Malone of Cadillac, Wm. of Mesick, and Wilson of Fulton.
Mrs. Martha Furney having died, Mr. Furney was again united in marriage to Stella Balker (sic) in 1876 (suc). To this union were born five children, two having preceded their father in death. Cynthia, Charles and John survive their father. Also sixteen grandchildren. Mrs. Stella Furney preceded her husband in death March 29 (sic), 1923.
When the civil war broke out and our country called for volunteers, Mr. Furney enlisted in Co. C, Second Battalion Sixteenth Reg. U. S. Infantry, where he served three years, fourteen months of which he was a prisoner in Libby ( ? ) Prison.
Mr. Furney was an upright man. He had made his peace with God and said many times through his long sickness that he was ready to die. He was a good citizen and leaves many friends with the relatives to mourn their loss.
UPDATE: 5 Sep 2017. Added birth date information. Feb 2020 - Rewrote bio, removed initial "C" from his name. Mar 2021: corrected year of marriage in link to first wife, Martha; bio was already correct.
Several birth dates are reported for Nicholas. Nicholas’ son, Charles, told a niece that Cynthia "Margaret" (Nicholas' daughter, Charles’ sister) shared the same day of birth - Feb 29 – with her father. Nicholas’ Civil War enlistment (Oct 1862) shows him to be 21; census records give his age as: 1850, 5; 1860, 15; 1880, 40; 1900, 55, Feb 1845; his obituary and death certificate have Feb 29, 1840; and the Aug 1946 application for a military headstone has Feb 29, 1841. Given that leap years occurred in 1840 and 1844, together with the previous sources and that his parents married Feb 1840 (he was their third child), I believe it most likely his birth was Feb 29, 1844.
His second marriage records his birthplace as Stark County, Ohio. Some believe it was in Sandy Township, others show it to be Robertsville, both within Stark County. Sometime between his birth and 1848, the Furney family moved to Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana.
Nicholas enlisted as a private in the United States Army in Chicago, Illinois on 24 October 1862. He was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 16th U. S. Regiment of Infantry, commanded by Captain Robert E. A. Crofton.
He was captured in the Battle of Chickamauga, on September 19, 1863, in Georgia. He was taken to a tobacco warehouse known as the Royster Building of Libby Prison, in Richmond, Virginia on September 29, 1863. He was admitted to the hospital in Danville, Virginia with Catarrhous. Later moved to Danville, VA, and imprisoned in another large tobacco warehouse, or factory, known as Prison No. 5. On February 23, 1864, he was again admitted to the hospital at Danville with Debilitas. He was returned to the prison again on February 29, 1864. On March 16, 1964 he was again admitted to the hospital with Diarrhea.
During the winter of 1863-1864 Nicholas' feet were frost bitten. Alfred Wilson, the 1st Sergeant of his company assisted Nicholas by bandaging his feet and caring for him. 1st Sergeant Wilson stated in a letter that "Furney was never excused from duty by reason of any disability during that time that to the best of his recollection said Furney never missed a roll call and was always prompt and faithful to his duty". In recognition of his appreciation and gratitude for Sgt Wilson’s support while the two were imprisoned, Nicholas later named his son Henry Wilson Furney.
On April 30, 1864, Nicholas was paroled at City Point, Virginia; he reported at Camp Parole, Maryland, on May 2, 1864. He was admitted to Hospital District No. 1, at Annapolis, Maryland, on May 2, 1864 with diarrhea and debility. On June 7, 1864 he was transferred to the General Hospital, Annapolis, Maryland with Anemia.
On August 24, 1864 he was returned to duty. During the last six months of his Civil War service, he was stationed on top of Lookout Mountain. He shared a tent with 1st Sergeant, Conrad Zoll of Petoskey, Michigan. 1st Sergeant Zoll states in a letter, "Furney was badly crippled by reason of both his feet being frozen, that, said Furney was unable to do duty that he in the capacity of acting 1st Sergeant continually excused him from duty by reason of his sore feet, that he on several occasions while said Furney was tenting with him saw his feet that, they were covered with sores like burns, the tendons and cords being contracted so, that when the sores healed he walked as though he were club footed and so continued up to the date of his discharge--he never knew or heard of said Furney being excused from duty for any cause that, to the best of his knowledge and belief said Furney was sound and at all times able for duty up to the date of his capture---".
Nicholas was discharged on October 24, 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee - three years to the day that he enlisted.
After the war he lived with his sister, Elizabeth (Mrs. James Smith Hughey) and her family in Algansee Township, Branch County, Michigan (about 10 miles from Coldwater).
On December 25, 1873, he and Martha E. Haines married in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Between 1880 and 1884, they moved with their family of two children to Buckley, Wexford County, Michigan. Son, Charles Furney, tells that Nicholas and Martha moved to Wexford County in a covered wagon with two oxen. They stopped for a night at a half-way house on Briar Hill, between Harrietta and Sherman.
Nicholas and Martha had two more children, the last a child who died at birth and it is believed that Martha too died, of this childbirth, October 20, 1886.
On December 6, 1887 he married Emma Estella "Stella" Bohler. Estella's parents lived across the road from the Furney family who remained in Smithfield Township, DeKalb Co., Indiana. Nicholas took Estella back to Wexford County, Michigan, they had five children, three growing to adulthood.
Nicholas spent many winters in a VA hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan because of pain he had in his feet in the cold weather. He used a cane to walk and was blind the last year of his life.
Following Estella's death on March 28, 1923, he lived with his son and daughter-in-law, William and Bertha Furney. Nicholas died on March 25, 1924 at William’s home.
MESICK 30 YEARS AGO
NICHOLAS FURNEY PASSED AWAY TUESDAY MORNING
At an early hour Tuesday morning, death summoned another old and highly respected citizen-Nicholas Furney. In his passing we chronicle the departure of one "who done unto others as he should be done by," an honest an upright soul, a loving father and a good neighbor. His death takes another from the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic; one who served nearly three years facing powder and shell and for fourteen months was a prisoner in Libby prison. Mr. Furney was taken to his bed early in the winter and gradually grew weaker until Tuesday morning when the final cord was severed and he passed into the realms of eternal peace.
Funeral services will be held at the F. M. Church, Friday afternoon, at two o'clock in charge of Rev. Skanes, assisted by Rev. Spencer, and the interment will be made in the Cornell Cemetery.
OBITUARY [Note: date of birth and age are as published, not necessarily correct]
Nicholas Furney was born in Ohio, Feb. 29th, 1840, and departed this life at the home of his son William in Mesick, Michigan, March 25, 1924, aged 84 years, and 25 days.
At the age of 27, he was married to Martha Hanies (sic). To them were born four children, one dying in infancy. Those living are Frances Malone of Cadillac, Wm. of Mesick, and Wilson of Fulton.
Mrs. Martha Furney having died, Mr. Furney was again united in marriage to Stella Balker (sic) in 1876 (suc). To this union were born five children, two having preceded their father in death. Cynthia, Charles and John survive their father. Also sixteen grandchildren. Mrs. Stella Furney preceded her husband in death March 29 (sic), 1923.
When the civil war broke out and our country called for volunteers, Mr. Furney enlisted in Co. C, Second Battalion Sixteenth Reg. U. S. Infantry, where he served three years, fourteen months of which he was a prisoner in Libby ( ? ) Prison.
Mr. Furney was an upright man. He had made his peace with God and said many times through his long sickness that he was ready to die. He was a good citizen and leaves many friends with the relatives to mourn their loss.
UPDATE: 5 Sep 2017. Added birth date information. Feb 2020 - Rewrote bio, removed initial "C" from his name. Mar 2021: corrected year of marriage in link to first wife, Martha; bio was already correct.
Nicholas was likely named after his maternal grandfather, Nicholas ANTHONY. A number of online family trees show his name as "Charles Nicholas Furney" or "C. Nicholas Furney". I have seen no documentation reflecting anything other than simply "Nicholas Furney" and would greatly appreciate if anyone can provide sources for either "Charles" or the initial "C".
Several birth dates are reported for Nicholas. Nicholas’ son, Charles, told a niece that Cynthia "Margaret" (Nicholas' daughter, Charles’ sister) shared the same day of birth - Feb 29 – with her father. Nicholas’ Civil War enlistment (Oct 1862) shows him to be 21; census records give his age as: 1850, 5; 1860, 15; 1880, 40; 1900, 55, Feb 1845; his obituary and death certificate have Feb 29, 1840; and the Aug 1946 application for a military headstone has Feb 29, 1841. Given that leap years occurred in 1840 and 1844, together with the previous sources and that his parents married Feb 1840 (he was their third child), I believe it most likely his birth was Feb 29, 1844.
His second marriage records his birthplace as Stark County, Ohio. Some believe it was in Sandy Township, others show it to be Robertsville, both within Stark County. Sometime between his birth and 1848, the Furney family moved to Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana.
Nicholas enlisted as a private in the United States Army in Chicago, Illinois on 24 October 1862. He was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 16th U. S. Regiment of Infantry, commanded by Captain Robert E. A. Crofton.
He was captured in the Battle of Chickamauga, on September 19, 1863, in Georgia. He was taken to a tobacco warehouse known as the Royster Building of Libby Prison, in Richmond, Virginia on September 29, 1863. He was admitted to the hospital in Danville, Virginia with Catarrhous. Later moved to Danville, VA, and imprisoned in another large tobacco warehouse, or factory, known as Prison No. 5. On February 23, 1864, he was again admitted to the hospital at Danville with Debilitas. He was returned to the prison again on February 29, 1864. On March 16, 1964 he was again admitted to the hospital with Diarrhea.
During the winter of 1863-1864 Nicholas' feet were frost bitten. Alfred Wilson, the 1st Sergeant of his company assisted Nicholas by bandaging his feet and caring for him. 1st Sergeant Wilson stated in a letter that "Furney was never excused from duty by reason of any disability during that time that to the best of his recollection said Furney never missed a roll call and was always prompt and faithful to his duty". In recognition of his appreciation and gratitude for Sgt Wilson’s support while the two were imprisoned, Nicholas later named his son Henry Wilson Furney.
On April 30, 1864, Nicholas was paroled at City Point, Virginia; he reported at Camp Parole, Maryland, on May 2, 1864. He was admitted to Hospital District No. 1, at Annapolis, Maryland, on May 2, 1864 with diarrhea and debility. On June 7, 1864 he was transferred to the General Hospital, Annapolis, Maryland with Anemia.
On August 24, 1864 he was returned to duty. During the last six months of his Civil War service, he was stationed on top of Lookout Mountain. He shared a tent with 1st Sergeant, Conrad Zoll of Petoskey, Michigan. 1st Sergeant Zoll states in a letter, "Furney was badly crippled by reason of both his feet being frozen, that, said Furney was unable to do duty that he in the capacity of acting 1st Sergeant continually excused him from duty by reason of his sore feet, that he on several occasions while said Furney was tenting with him saw his feet that, they were covered with sores like burns, the tendons and cords being contracted so, that when the sores healed he walked as though he were club footed and so continued up to the date of his discharge--he never knew or heard of said Furney being excused from duty for any cause that, to the best of his knowledge and belief said Furney was sound and at all times able for duty up to the date of his capture---".
Nicholas was discharged on October 24, 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee - three years to the day that he enlisted.
After the war he lived with his sister, Elizabeth (Mrs. James Smith Hughey) and her family in Algansee Township, Branch County, Michigan (about 10 miles from Coldwater).
On December 25, 1873, he and Martha E. Haines married in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Between 1880 and 1884, they moved with their family of two children to Buckley, Wexford County, Michigan. Son, Charles Furney, tells that Nicholas and Martha moved to Wexford County in a covered wagon with two oxen. They stopped for a night at a half-way house on Briar Hill, between Harrietta and Sherman.
Nicholas and Martha had two more children, the last a child who died at birth and it is believed that Martha too died, of this childbirth, October 20, 1886.
On December 6, 1887 he married Emma Estella "Stella" Bohler. Estella's parents lived across the road from the Furney family who remained in Smithfield Township, DeKalb Co., Indiana. Nicholas took Estella back to Wexford County, Michigan, they had five children, three growing to adulthood.
Nicholas spent many winters in a VA hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan because of pain he had in his feet in the cold weather. He used a cane to walk and was blind the last year of his life.
Following Estella's death on March 28, 1923, he lived with his son and daughter-in-law, William and Bertha Furney. Nicholas died on March 25, 1924 at William’s home.
MESICK 30 YEARS AGO
NICHOLAS FURNEY PASSED AWAY TUESDAY MORNING
At an early hour Tuesday morning, death summoned another old and highly respected citizen-Nicholas Furney. In his passing we chronicle the departure of one "who done unto others as he should be done by," an honest an upright soul, a loving father and a good neighbor. His death takes another from the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic; one who served nearly three years facing powder and shell and for fourteen months was a prisoner in Libby prison. Mr. Furney was taken to his bed early in the winter and gradually grew weaker until Tuesday morning when the final cord was severed and he passed into the realms of eternal peace.
Funeral services will be held at the F. M. Church, Friday afternoon, at two o'clock in charge of Rev. Skanes, assisted by Rev. Spencer, and the interment will be made in the Cornell Cemetery.
OBITUARY [Note: date of birth and age are as published, not necessarily correct]
Nicholas Furney was born in Ohio, Feb. 29th, 1840, and departed this life at the home of his son William in Mesick, Michigan, March 25, 1924, aged 84 years, and 25 days.
At the age of 27, he was married to Martha Hanies (sic). To them were born four children, one dying in infancy. Those living are Frances Malone of Cadillac, Wm. of Mesick, and Wilson of Fulton.
Mrs. Martha Furney having died, Mr. Furney was again united in marriage to Stella Balker (sic) in 1876 (suc). To this union were born five children, two having preceded their father in death. Cynthia, Charles and John survive their father. Also sixteen grandchildren. Mrs. Stella Furney preceded her husband in death March 29 (sic), 1923.
When the civil war broke out and our country called for volunteers, Mr. Furney enlisted in Co. C, Second Battalion Sixteenth Reg. U. S. Infantry, where he served three years, fourteen months of which he was a prisoner in Libby ( ? ) Prison.
Mr. Furney was an upright man. He had made his peace with God and said many times through his long sickness that he was ready to die. He was a good citizen and leaves many friends with the relatives to mourn their loss.
UPDATE: 5 Sep 2017. Added birth date information. Feb 2020 - Rewrote bio, removed initial "C" from his name. Mar 2021: corrected year of marriage in link to first wife, Martha; bio was already correct.
Several birth dates are reported for Nicholas. Nicholas’ son, Charles, told a niece that Cynthia "Margaret" (Nicholas' daughter, Charles’ sister) shared the same day of birth - Feb 29 – with her father. Nicholas’ Civil War enlistment (Oct 1862) shows him to be 21; census records give his age as: 1850, 5; 1860, 15; 1880, 40; 1900, 55, Feb 1845; his obituary and death certificate have Feb 29, 1840; and the Aug 1946 application for a military headstone has Feb 29, 1841. Given that leap years occurred in 1840 and 1844, together with the previous sources and that his parents married Feb 1840 (he was their third child), I believe it most likely his birth was Feb 29, 1844.
His second marriage records his birthplace as Stark County, Ohio. Some believe it was in Sandy Township, others show it to be Robertsville, both within Stark County. Sometime between his birth and 1848, the Furney family moved to Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana.
Nicholas enlisted as a private in the United States Army in Chicago, Illinois on 24 October 1862. He was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 16th U. S. Regiment of Infantry, commanded by Captain Robert E. A. Crofton.
He was captured in the Battle of Chickamauga, on September 19, 1863, in Georgia. He was taken to a tobacco warehouse known as the Royster Building of Libby Prison, in Richmond, Virginia on September 29, 1863. He was admitted to the hospital in Danville, Virginia with Catarrhous. Later moved to Danville, VA, and imprisoned in another large tobacco warehouse, or factory, known as Prison No. 5. On February 23, 1864, he was again admitted to the hospital at Danville with Debilitas. He was returned to the prison again on February 29, 1864. On March 16, 1964 he was again admitted to the hospital with Diarrhea.
During the winter of 1863-1864 Nicholas' feet were frost bitten. Alfred Wilson, the 1st Sergeant of his company assisted Nicholas by bandaging his feet and caring for him. 1st Sergeant Wilson stated in a letter that "Furney was never excused from duty by reason of any disability during that time that to the best of his recollection said Furney never missed a roll call and was always prompt and faithful to his duty". In recognition of his appreciation and gratitude for Sgt Wilson’s support while the two were imprisoned, Nicholas later named his son Henry Wilson Furney.
On April 30, 1864, Nicholas was paroled at City Point, Virginia; he reported at Camp Parole, Maryland, on May 2, 1864. He was admitted to Hospital District No. 1, at Annapolis, Maryland, on May 2, 1864 with diarrhea and debility. On June 7, 1864 he was transferred to the General Hospital, Annapolis, Maryland with Anemia.
On August 24, 1864 he was returned to duty. During the last six months of his Civil War service, he was stationed on top of Lookout Mountain. He shared a tent with 1st Sergeant, Conrad Zoll of Petoskey, Michigan. 1st Sergeant Zoll states in a letter, "Furney was badly crippled by reason of both his feet being frozen, that, said Furney was unable to do duty that he in the capacity of acting 1st Sergeant continually excused him from duty by reason of his sore feet, that he on several occasions while said Furney was tenting with him saw his feet that, they were covered with sores like burns, the tendons and cords being contracted so, that when the sores healed he walked as though he were club footed and so continued up to the date of his discharge--he never knew or heard of said Furney being excused from duty for any cause that, to the best of his knowledge and belief said Furney was sound and at all times able for duty up to the date of his capture---".
Nicholas was discharged on October 24, 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee - three years to the day that he enlisted.
After the war he lived with his sister, Elizabeth (Mrs. James Smith Hughey) and her family in Algansee Township, Branch County, Michigan (about 10 miles from Coldwater).
On December 25, 1873, he and Martha E. Haines married in Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Between 1880 and 1884, they moved with their family of two children to Buckley, Wexford County, Michigan. Son, Charles Furney, tells that Nicholas and Martha moved to Wexford County in a covered wagon with two oxen. They stopped for a night at a half-way house on Briar Hill, between Harrietta and Sherman.
Nicholas and Martha had two more children, the last a child who died at birth and it is believed that Martha too died, of this childbirth, October 20, 1886.
On December 6, 1887 he married Emma Estella "Stella" Bohler. Estella's parents lived across the road from the Furney family who remained in Smithfield Township, DeKalb Co., Indiana. Nicholas took Estella back to Wexford County, Michigan, they had five children, three growing to adulthood.
Nicholas spent many winters in a VA hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan because of pain he had in his feet in the cold weather. He used a cane to walk and was blind the last year of his life.
Following Estella's death on March 28, 1923, he lived with his son and daughter-in-law, William and Bertha Furney. Nicholas died on March 25, 1924 at William’s home.
MESICK 30 YEARS AGO
NICHOLAS FURNEY PASSED AWAY TUESDAY MORNING
At an early hour Tuesday morning, death summoned another old and highly respected citizen-Nicholas Furney. In his passing we chronicle the departure of one "who done unto others as he should be done by," an honest an upright soul, a loving father and a good neighbor. His death takes another from the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic; one who served nearly three years facing powder and shell and for fourteen months was a prisoner in Libby prison. Mr. Furney was taken to his bed early in the winter and gradually grew weaker until Tuesday morning when the final cord was severed and he passed into the realms of eternal peace.
Funeral services will be held at the F. M. Church, Friday afternoon, at two o'clock in charge of Rev. Skanes, assisted by Rev. Spencer, and the interment will be made in the Cornell Cemetery.
OBITUARY [Note: date of birth and age are as published, not necessarily correct]
Nicholas Furney was born in Ohio, Feb. 29th, 1840, and departed this life at the home of his son William in Mesick, Michigan, March 25, 1924, aged 84 years, and 25 days.
At the age of 27, he was married to Martha Hanies (sic). To them were born four children, one dying in infancy. Those living are Frances Malone of Cadillac, Wm. of Mesick, and Wilson of Fulton.
Mrs. Martha Furney having died, Mr. Furney was again united in marriage to Stella Balker (sic) in 1876 (suc). To this union were born five children, two having preceded their father in death. Cynthia, Charles and John survive their father. Also sixteen grandchildren. Mrs. Stella Furney preceded her husband in death March 29 (sic), 1923.
When the civil war broke out and our country called for volunteers, Mr. Furney enlisted in Co. C, Second Battalion Sixteenth Reg. U. S. Infantry, where he served three years, fourteen months of which he was a prisoner in Libby ( ? ) Prison.
Mr. Furney was an upright man. He had made his peace with God and said many times through his long sickness that he was ready to die. He was a good citizen and leaves many friends with the relatives to mourn their loss.
UPDATE: 5 Sep 2017. Added birth date information. Feb 2020 - Rewrote bio, removed initial "C" from his name. Mar 2021: corrected year of marriage in link to first wife, Martha; bio was already correct.
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