Josiah S. Furtney
The death of Josiah S. Furtney which had been expected for some time, occurred this morning at 6:25 at his home on Water street. The cause of death was consumption of the bladder. For two years Mr. Furtney had been ill and a great sufferer. Six weeks ago he was stricken with the grip. Since that time he has failed rapidly and for the past three weeks he has been critically and dangerously ill. Those who watched by him did not think it was possible for him to live as long as he did.
Mr Furtney was born December 4, 1849 at Port Elgin, Canada. He removed from there to Michigan, thence to Milwaukee and Decorah, coming to Austin about thirty-five years ago where has since resided. He was married March 29, 1873 to Sarah Hibbard. To them seven children were born, all of whom survive the father and were near him at the time of death, Mrs. Bruner of Cedar Rapids, IA., Joseph, Harry, Roy, Ada and Vera of Austin and Mrs. Williamson of Owatonna. Besides the wife, five brothers survive, Henry and John of Austin, Jacob of Biwabik, MN., Aaron of Buffalo, MN., Joseph H. of Glenwood, MN., and two sister, Mrs. Mattice of Austin and Mrs. Barney of Michigan City, ND. The father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Furtney of this city, are also left to mourn the loss of their son.
Mr. Furtney was a stone mason and tanner by trade. He was also a building mover and owned the little steam boat, The Bell of Austin, which for a number of seasons plied up and down the Cedar. AT the time of the gold fever he made a trip to the Klondike but was never thoroughly well after his return. He was a kind man in his family, a member of the Methodist church and M.W.A. lodge and esteemed by those who knew him.
Funeral will be held from the Methodist church Thursday afternoon at 2:30, Rev. Brown officiating. Interment to Oakwood Cemetery, Austin.

Mower County Transcript
March 4, 1903, page 2
FURTNEY
At his home on Water street, Tuesday morning, March 3, 1903, of tuberculosis of the bladder, Josiah S. Furtney aged 53 years. He was son of Joseph Furtney and was born at Port Elgin, Canada, Dec. 4, 1849. The family subsequently moved to Flint, Mich., and thence to Milwaukee. From there they moved to Decorah, Iowa, and became residents of Austin 35 years ago and have since lived here. Mr. Furtney was married to Miss Sarah Hibbard in Austin, March 29, 1873. The widow survives and seven children: Mrs. Minnie Bruner, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Joseph and Harry of Austin; Mrs. Charlotte Williamson, Owatonna; Roy, Ada and Vera at home. Deceased was a mason by trade and also a house mover. He was a member of the M.W.A. and this lodge will have charge of the funeral. He was a kind and considerate husband and father, a good neighbor and friend and was highly regarded by his friends. He had been sick for over two years past but three weeks ago had an attack of grip which hastened his disease. His parents survive, living in the city. He has also five brothers and a sister in Minnesota and one sister in North Dakota. Funeral services will be held at two o'clock, Thursday afternoon.
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Josiah S. was born December 4, 1849 and died March 3, 1903
Born Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada
Son of Joseph and Charlotte Hilker Furtney

Provided by Dorothy Kunz