forefather

Noun	1.	forefather - the founder of a family; "keep the faith of our forefathers" father, sire ancestor, antecedent, ascendant, ascendent, root - someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent) patriarch - any of the early Biblical characters regarded as fathers of the human race
	2.	forefather - person from an earlier time who contributed to the tradition shared by some group; "our forefathers brought forth a great nation" predecessor - one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)

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