John Weiss Forney, an American journalist, born at Lancaster, Pa., Sept. 30, 1817. In 1833 he became an apprentice in the printing office of the Lancaster "Journal," and in 1837 editor and joint proprietor of the Lancaster "Intelligencer;" and in 1840 he united that paper with the "Journal." He removed in 1845 to Philadelphia, where he was long the editor of the" Pennsylvanian," one of the most decided of the democratic journals. In 1851 he was chosen clerk of the United States house of representatives, and was reelected in 1853. Meanwhile his connection with the "Pennsylvanian had ceased, and he had become editor of the" Union," the democratic organ at Washington. He resigned this post in 1856, returned to Pennsylvania, and was chosen chairman of the democratic state committee. In January, 1857, he was democratic candidate for the office of United States senator, but was defeated by Mr. Cameron, and on Aug. 1 following began in Philadelphia the publication of The Press," an independent democratic journal. Although he had advocated the election of Mr. Buchanan to the presidency, he became a determined opponent of his administration when the Lecompton constitution of Kansas became a topic of public debate; and he was again chosen clerk of the house of representatives in the 36th congress by the republicans.

During the civil war he gave a constant support to the national government. In 1861 he began the publication, in addition to "The Press" in Philadelphia, of a weekly paper in the city of Washington entitled The Chronicle;" this also began to appear daily in October, 1862. From 1861 to 1868 Mr. Forney was secretary of the United States senate. In 1867 he published "Letters of Europe," comprising a series of sketches of travel contributed to The Press while abroad; and in 1873Anecdotes of Public Men," a collection of papers published originallv in the Sunday Chronicle and The Press."