Person:Eldert Fort (1)

Biography

History of Caldwell and Livingston Counties, Missouri Pub 1886 page 327 ELDERT FORT (Retired Farmer, Post-office, Mirabile) Mr. Fort has passed the allotted age of three score and ten, but were one to judge by personal appearance and vivacity of manner we would consider him far younger than the majority of men of middle age. Well preserved and of bright intellect, he is well informed on the general topics of the day, in which he keeps throughly posted. The family's early history is one of thrilling interest. Eldert's great-great-grandfather was a full blooded Frenchman; and under the Colonial Government had the name changed from Lafort to Fort, it being a French name. He married a Holland lady and soon emigrated to America, and hence it is that the family are now called descendants of Hollanders. Eldert's grandfather, Simeon Fort, was captured when a youth at the sacking and burning of Schenectady, New York, by the Indians in 1688, and eight years after, his father Abraham Fort, learning of his whereabouts, in company with a friend, crossed the unbroken wilderness to Montreal and redeemed his son at a ransom of $800. The boy at this time was 18 years old, and had been adopted into the tribe. Mr. Fort was born April 25, 1808, in Albany county, New York. At the age of 17, he apprenticed himself to learn the trade of wagon making, which he continued to follow until reaching his majority. He now entered the employ of the Government at the Watervleit Arsenal, remaining so engaged until 1840. While there he was one of the excursionists on the first railroad in the State, and claimed by many to have been the first one in the country. Among the latter class is Mr. Fort, whose thorough acquaintance with the matter has rendered his evidence of more than ordinary weight. In 1840 he came to Coshocton county, O., and embarked in farming, and this was his chosen occupation until his retirement from active pursuits in March, 1884. In 1855 he located in Knoxville, Ia., but in 1866, removed to this county and improved a farm of 140 acres. June 4, 1829, he married to Miss Margaret Shafer, of Albany county, N. Y., and this honored couple have now (1885) enjoyed the blessings and happiness of a union of upwards of 56 years' duration. They have reared a worthy family of nine children, eight of whom survive: Eleanor, wife of S.M. Bassett; Daniel, Elizabeth, George, Julia Ann, wife of A.W. Bishop, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work; Helena, Sarah, now Mrs. S.T. Boerstler; Harriet, wife of Jacob Clute. One son, Peter, died July 20, 1840. Mr. Fort has had charge of the poor farm of this county for five years. He and his wife are connected with the Presbyterian Church.

Will

Caldwell County, Kingston, Missouri Will Records Book B Page 80-81 Will of Eldert Fort Mirabile, Mo., May 16th, 1889 I, Eldert Fort, of the county of Caldwell, State of Missouri, make this my last Will and Testament. 1st I give devise and bequeath my estate, real and personal as follows: 2nd I will to my daughter Eleanor, wife S.M. Bassett, the sum of (30) Dollars. 3. To my son Daniel (800) Dollars. 4. To my son George (500) Dollars. 5. To my daughter Julian, wife of A.W. Bishop, (30) Dollars. 6. To my daughter Elisabeth (500) Dollars. 7. To my daughter Hellena (500) Dollars. 8. To my daughter Sarah, wife of W.S. Boestler, (30) Dollars. 9. To my daughter Harriet, wife of Jacob Clute, (30 Dollars. I will to my daughters, Elizabeth and Hellena, all my real estate in the town of Mirabile, Caldwell County, Missouri, all in Block (5), as the deed will show. I will, if anything is left of my estate, it be equally divided between my daughters after all expenses are paid, Helen and Elizabeth. I hereby appoint A.W. Bishop and Daniel Fort, executors of this my last Will and Testament, revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have set my hand, this 15th day of May, 1889. Eldert Fort Signed and declared by the above named to be his last Will and Testament, in the presence of us, who, at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses. W.H. Alleman Henry Van O'Linda Mirabile, Mo., Mar. 7th, 1893 We hereby certify that we was called and read the last Will of Eldert Fort, made on the 16th day of May, 1889, in the presence of S.M. Bassett, Dan Fort, Geo. Fort, Elizabeth Fort, Leana Fort and Harriet Clute. Said will was witnessed by W.H. Allenman and Henry Van O'Linda. Signed W.H. Alleman B.F. Brazelton M.S. Folker Proof of Will State of Missouri County of Caldwell In the Probate Court. Be it remembered, that on this 17th day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-three, before me, M.C. Cannon, Clerk of the Probate Court, held on and for the County of Caldwell and State of Missouri, personally appeared W.H. Alleman and Henry Van Olinda, who being duly sworn upon their oath, depose and say that they were present, and saw Eldert Fort sign the foregoing instrument, purporting to be the last will and testament of him the said Eldert Fort and heard him publish and declare the same to be his last will and testament and that at the time of signing the same, the said Eldert Fort was of sound and desposing mind, and more than twenty one years of age, that they deponents subscribed their names thereto as witnesses to the same, in the presence of the testator, and of each other, and at the request of the said testator. W.H. Alleman Henry Van OLinda Sworn to and subscribed before me M.C. Cannon, Clerk of Probate Court, the day and year first aforesaid. SEAL M.C. Cannon, Clerk Certificate of Probate State of Missouri County of Caldwell In the Probate Court of Caldwell County, Missouri - In Vacation I, M.C. Cannon, Clerk in the Probate Court of Caldwell County, Missouri, having examined the foregoing instrument, purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Eldert Fort, deceased, and signed by said Eldert Fort, deceased, late of Caldwell County, Missouri, and having heard the testimony of W.H. Alleman and Henry Van Olinda, witnesses thereto, in relation to the execution of the same, do declare and adjudge said instrument is the last will and testament of said Eldert Fort, deceased, and the same is therefore admitted to probate. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my and afixed the seal of said Court, at office, this 17 day of March, 1893. M.C. Cannon, SEAL Clerk of Porbate Court

Census

Tuscarawas Township, Coshocton County, Ohio 1850 Census page 134 Fort, Elbert 42 Supt of the County Infirmy born in New York Margaret 43 Elizabeth 15 George 12 Julia Ann 10 Helen 8 Sarah 5 Harriett 2

Biography

Eldert Fort and his family were in Coshocton, Ohio in 1840, Knoxville, Iowa in 1855, and Missouri in 1866. "Genealogy of The Fort Family in New York State" by Jerome H. Fort 1924 page 47 No. 7222, Eldridge, "went west in his youth." N.F.I.

1. ↑ Missouri Will Records Book
   Book B Page 80-81, 12/29/06.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Eldert Fort, in Find A Grave.

   Married 4 Jun 1829 Recorded in Albany County, New York
   
   ELDERT FORT
   (Retired Farmer, Post-office, Mirabile).
   Mr. Fort, has passed the allotted age of three score years and ten, but were one to judge by personal appearance and vivacity of manner we should consider him far younger than the majority of men of middle age. Well preserved and of bright intellect, he is well informed on the general topics of the day, in which he keeps thoroughly posted.
   
   The family's early history is one of thrilling interest. Eldert's great-great-grandfather was a full blooded Frenchman: and under the Colonial Government had the name changed from Lafort to Fort, it being a French name. He married a Holland lady and soon emigrated to America, and hence it is that the familv are now called descendants of Hollanders. Eldert's grandfather, Simeon Fort, was captured when a you that the sacking and burning of Schenectady, New York, by the Indians in 1688, and eight years after, his father, Abraham Fort, learning of his whereabouts, in company with a friend, crossed the unbroken wilderness to Montreal and redeemed his son at a ransom of $800. The boy at this time was 18 years old, and had been adopted into the tribe. Mr. Fort was born April 25, 1808, in Albany county, New York. At the age of 17, he apprenticed himself to learn the trade of wagon making, which he continued to follow until reaching his majority. He now entered the employ of the Government at the Watervleit Arsenal, remaining so engaged until 1840. While there he was one of the excursionists on the first railroad in the State, and claimed by many to have been the first one in the country. Among the latter class is Mr. Fort, whose thorough acquaintance with the matter has rendered his evidence of more than ordinary weight. In 1840 he came to Coshocton county, O., and embarked in farming, and this was his chosen occupation until his retirement from active pursuits in March, 1884. In 1855 he located in Knoxville, Ia., but in 1866, removed to this county and improved a farm of 140 acres.
   
   June 4, 1829, he was married to Miss Margaret Shafer, of Albany county, N. Y., and this honored couple have now (1885) enjoyed the blessings and happiness of a union of upwards of 50 years' duration. They have reared a worthy family of nine children, eight of whom survive: Eleanor, wife of S. M. Bassett ; Daniel, Elizabeth, George, Julia Ann, wife of A. W. Bishop, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work; Helena, Sarah, now Mrs. S. T. Boerstler ; Harriet, wife of Jacob Clute. One son, Peter, died July 20, 1840.
   
   Mr. Fort has had charge of the poor farm of this county for five years. He and his wife are connected with the Presbyterian Church.
   
   From: History of Caldwell & Livingston Counties, Missouri
   
   Newspaper Unknown Friday, February 24, 1893
   Mr. E. Fort died at his home in Mirabile, last Wednesday, at the age of 86 years. He had long resided in this county and leaves several children, grand-children and great-grand-children to mourn his departure. He was a faithful and true member of the Presbyterian church at Mirabile and has now gone home to receive his reward.

3. ↑ Notes
   
   Baptist record: Niskayuna Reformed Church, 3041 Troy Road, Schenectady, New York 12309 Eldert born April 25, 1808, Baptised May 26, 1808 child of Daniel S. Fort and Nelle Timersen
   Niskayuna became a part of Schenectady County, New York in 1809
4. ↑ Notes
   
   Newspaper Unknown Friday, February 24, 1893
   Mr. E. Fort died at his home in Mirabile, last Wednesday, at the age of 86 years. He had long resided in this county and leaves several children, grand-children and great-grand-children to mourn his departure. He was a faithful and true member of the Presbyterian church at Mirabile and has now gone home to receive his reward.