Forefather (noun)

1. An ancestor, especially a distant one.
2. A person who lived in the past and was an important predecessor in a particular field or activity.

Origin:

Old english forefæder, from fore- "before" + fæder "father".

Examples:

1. He is proud of his forefather who was a great leader.
2. She traces her forefathers to the early settlers of the region.
3. The forefathers of the royal family were once powerful rulers.
4. The forefathers of the family were farmers.
5. The forefathers of the company were successful entrepreneurs.