Biography

10/31/1811 - 05/21/1891

FORTNER, Benjamin P., a Representative from Columbia County; born, October 31, 1811 in Locust Township, Northumberland County (now Columbia County), Pa.; salesman; hotel proprietor (1836-1838); owner and operator, coal transportation boating business (1838-1839); engaged, construction, Tioga and Corning Railroad (1840); farmer; elected as a Whig to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1850 term; not a candidate for reelection to the House for the 1851 term; appointed, internal revenue assessor, 13th Congressional District Pennsylvania (2 years); appointed, revenue collector, Columbia and Montour Counties (3 years); elected, justice of the peace, Catawissa; dry goods merchant; died, May 21, 1891 in Catawissa, Columbia County, Pennsylvania; interred, Hillside Cemetery, Catawissa, Columbia County, Pennsylvania.