Forefather

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: fore=fa=ther

CIDE DICTIONARY

Forefather, n. 

 One who precedes another in the line of genealogy in any degree, but usually in a remote degree; an ancestor.  [1913 Webster]
"Respecting your forefathers, you would have been taught to respect yourselves."  [1913 Webster]

Forefathers' Day, the anniversary of the day (December 21) on which the Pilgrim Fathers landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts (1620). On account of a mistake in reckoning the change from Old Style to New Style, it has generally been celebrated on the 22d.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Forefather, n. (usu. in pl.)
1 an ancestor.
2 a member of a past generation of a family or people.