FORREST, ROBERT R., RICHARD R. and J. R., Washington. These gentlemen are descended from stalwart Scotch and English ancestors who came to America at an early date. The great-grandfather, Johnson, was a Doctor of Divinity in the classic city of Edinburgh, Scotland, and some of his books are still in the possession of his great-grandson Robert R. Forrest. John Forrest, grandfather of the gentlemen whose names open this sketch, was born in Scotland, and was married in Edinburgh, the capital of that country, to Jean Johnson, who after his death came to America in 1839, and now lies in Allegheny cemetery; her husband died in London, England. The two brothers of this John Forrest emigrated, in the early part of this century, to America, the one coming to Philadelphia, Penn., the other proceeding to a southern port.
George Forrest, father of Robert R., Richard R. and J. R. Forrest, was born November 24, 1803, in Penrith, County of Cumberland, England, which county, being on the border, was for a long time claimed by Scotland. He was married June 12, 1826, in New Marylebone Church, Parish of Marylebone, London, England, to Alice Rhodes, who was born in the Parish of St. George, London, England, January 6, 1808, a daughter of Joshua Rhodes, a native of London, where he lived and died. In 1837 George Forrest and his brother Richard set out together with their families for America, and were six weeks crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which was reported lost. Landing at New York, and their destination being Richmond, Ind., they traveled by rail, canal and other modes to Allegheny City, where Richard's wife and two children died. The brothers then concluded to here remain. Richard, who was a marble cutter and sculptor, became foreman of the Wallace Marble Works, Pittsburgh, Penn. His last employer in the mother country had been Sir Francis Chantry, the eminent English sculptor, and he was in his employ at the time Allan Cunningham, the author and sculptor, was foreman of the establishment, and Forrest's duties consisted in the placing of statuary for Chantry. About the year 1747 George Forrest and his family moved to Canonsburg, Washington county, and two years later came to Washington borough, where he worked at his trade, tailoring, until about the time of his death, which occurred March 28, 1865, when he was aged sixty-three years. He was liberal of his means and charitably disposed; in politics he was a Democrat, in religion a Presbyterian; his widow was summoned from earth January 28, 1885, in her seventy-eighth year; she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were the parents of eight children four born in London, England, and four in Allegheny, Penn. Robert R. being the first of the family born this side of the Atlantic. They are as follows: Alice (Mrs. Boyle); Emma (wife of John B. Hallam); George; Jane (widow of Matthew Taylor), in South Strabane township; Robert R., of whom a sketch follows; Mary (wife of John Munce), residing in Washington, Penn.; Richard R. and J. R. (sketches of whom follow). George Forrest bought 300 acres of land, on part of which the city of Kittanning, Penn., now stands, intending to settle there, but the country proved to be so wild he sold it before going to Canonsburg.
ROBERT R. FORREST was born in Allegheny, Allegheny Co., Penn., October 12, 1840. He came to Washington, Penn., with his parents, and attended the common schools of the place until he arrived at the age of sixteen years, when he entered Hayes' Carriage Factory as an apprentice, remaining until the breaking out of the Civil war. He then proceeded to Wheeling, W. Va., where he was employed on Government work, chiefly in the constructing of ambulances, and he ironed the last twenty-five of that class of vehicle sent to the seat of war from Wheeling. In 1867 Mr. Forrest entered into partnership with James House, in the carriage-making business, in Washington, this county, putting up for the purpose the building now occupied by R. B. McClure & Son on East Wheeling street. The style of the firm was House & Forrest, but about a year after commencing operations, Mr. Forrest sold out his interest to Mr. House and embarked in the brickmaking business at South Strabane township, which he still carries on, it having now been in existence some twenty years. The first brick made on his place were used in the construction of the jail, and it has since supplied the brick for many prominent buildings, such as banks, seminaries, churches and private residences. He was also for a time engaged in contracting and building, in company with his brother, Richard R. In 1889 he commenced the erection of his own commodious house on the corner of Sumner avenue and Pitt street, one of the finest residences in the northern part of the city, and in November, 1890, moved into it.
On April 15, 1869, Mr. Forrest was married in Washington to Miss Sarah M. Hayes, daughter of Charles Hayes, and granddaughter of George Kuntz, both of Washington. Six children were the result of this union, only two of whom survive: Sophia and Alice, both living at home. Mr. Forrest and his family are members of the Second Presbyterian Church; politically he votes the Democratic ticket, and has frequently been solicited to accept office, but has invariably declined the honor. Well-known and popular in the community, Mr. Forrest stands high in the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens.
RICHARD RHODES FORREST, contractor and builder, also florist and proprietor of greenhouses, in Washington, was born April 14, 1844, in Allegheny, Allegheny Co., Penn. As will be seen, he was but a child when the family came to Washington. Here he received his education, being among the first pupils to attend the new Union schools. In 1859 he commenced to learn the trade of carriage body building with S. B. & C. Hayes, serving an apprenticeship of nearly four years; then worked for John Hallam in building spring wagons. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Militia, and they were encamped at a point near Chambersburg, Penn., at the time the Confederate army learned the name of Antietam. Afterward, August 31, 1864, he enlisted in the army, in the Fifth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, Company F, was in at the death of the Confederacy, and was mustered out June 30, 1865. He became of age while in the army.
Returning to this county, he immediately resumed his trade, his first work being the building of a coach for James House, called the "Queen of the Road," which was run between Washington (Penn.) and Pittsburgh. Afterward he removed to the site where now stands the carriage factory of R. B. McClure & Son. Later he sold out to James House, who became a partner with his brother, Robert R., in the same line of business, and for them he worked a considerable length of time, constructing windmills, some sixty or seventy having been built. He then engaged with Hayes & Wilson, working on bodies for sewing machines, after which he became a partner for a time with E. J. Dye in contracting and building. He had previously put up many of the brick buildings in the borough, and on West Beau street he erected a house which in itself is a curiosity. He made the molds and the brick himself for this house, each brick having a panel on it. In 1878 he bought the property where he now resides, the grounds covering about twelve acres on the outskirts of the borough. Some eight years ago he commenced gardening, building greenhouses for the cultivation of both vegetables and flowers, and to-day he owns the largest conservatory in Washington. On March 23, 1873, Mr. Forrest was united in marriage with Miss Theresa Mills, a native of Monongahela City, daughter of Andrew and Alice Mills, who both died in the borough of Washington. She had one sister, who married, and two brothers, Harvey and James, the latter of whom is now editor of the Pittsburgh Post. To Mr. and Mrs. Forrest were born three sons, all of whom died in early childhood. They are both members of the First M. E. Church of Washington, and in politics he is in sentiment a Prohibitionist, but votes independently and according to his own judgment.
J. R. FORREST, one of the prominent members of the bar of Washington county, was born in Allegheny, Allegheny Co., Penn., February 21, 1847. He began life a poor boy, having to earn by the sweat of his brow the means to secure even a limited education, at first, in the common schools of his district. Still, applying himself assiduously to work, he was enabled to take himself to the high school, from which he graduated, and he then attended Washington College three years. Our subject, having now completed his literary studies, commenced reading law in the office of Ruth & Hamilton, Washington, Penn., in which he remained three years, and in 1868 he was admitted to the bar. Mr. Forrest at once commenced the practice of his profession in the borough, and has since continued with eminent success. In February, 1865, fired with the spirit of patriotism, he enlisted at New Brighton, Penn., in Company H, Eighty-seventh P. V. I., which regiment was attached to the Sixth Army Corps. After participating in the fighting around Richmond and Petersburg, which ended with the capture of Lee, he was ordered with the Sixth Corps on a forced march to Danville, N. C., to cut off the retreat of Gen. Joe Johnston, and was present at his capture also. After the war closed Mr. Forrest was mustered out of the service in July, 1865. On February 21, 1871, Mr. J. R. Forrest was united in marriage with Miss Belle, daughter of the late Daniel Boyle, in his day a prominent stock dealer in North Strabane township, this county, and to this union have been born two children: Daniel B., now attending the sophomore class at college, and Earle R. Politically Mr. Forrest is a Democrat, and for the past ten years he has served as a justice of the peace. He has a strong penchant for literature, and is a writer in verse of recognized ability and versatility. The majority of his best efforts have not yet been published, but doubtless will some day be given to the world in book form. Two of his poems are here presented:
THE LORD'S PRAYER. Our Father who in heaven art, Look kindly on Thy wayward child; Help me to chose the better part And save me from the tempter's wiles. All hallowed be Thy sacred name, Thy kingdom here on earth be made; Fill all the earth with holy flame, Till sin's corrupting hand be stayed. In love and peace Thy will be done, In every land Thy praise be heard; Till all on earth, aye, every one, Doth read and ponder o'er Thy word. Give me each day my daily bread, Thy tender hand relieve my care; It Thou, who hath the ravens fed, Will help me, I shall have no fear. Forgive my debts as I forgive The ones who do me grievous wrong; As I let others, so let me live, And always in Thy faith be strong. Let no temptation lead astray The wayward passions of the soul; But guide me in the better way, And save me from my own control. Deliver me from evil tide, Save me from its dire distress; Open the gates of mercy wide, Where all is love and peacefulness. And when the light of earthly bliss, Fades from my weary closing eyes, May all the love that here I miss, Be mine renewed beyond the skies. Thine be the glory evermore; Thy holy faith my best endeavor; And when for me this life is o'er, Take me to Thee and Thine forever. J. R. F. Washington, Penn., September 8, 1884. GATHERING HOME. In this neglected, quiet spot, Mid shadows soft and clear; With tangled grass and creeping vines And running waters near; The old home grim and silent stands The fires, warm and bright, That cracked and blazed upon each hearth, Are dark and cold to-night. The winter's blast amid the trees, With low and solemn moan, Repeats the nightbird's mournful chant, Where once we gathered home. I look upon the doleful scene, The time-worn ruined place, And fail to find amid the wreck One faint, familiar trace. It makes my heart o'erflow with grief, My tears I can't restrain, And o'er my bosom rolls a tide Of sorrow, grief and pain. The past doth flit before my mind Here once again I roam; And once again I hear the shout Of children gathering home. Again I see my mother come To meet me at the door, And welcome home her romping ones When school and work was o'er. Again I feel the grateful warmth That beamed from every smile, When she would stoop to soothe our grief, Our little woes beguile. I hear again, with quickened pulse, Re-echo from each stone The happy, merry, gleeful laugh Of children gathering home. Those children who have long ago Grown up to man's estate, And wandered out into the world, To strive with varying fate; That mother who, these many years, Mid shadows soft and still, Hath folded up her tired hands And sleeps upon the hill; That happy home, this crumbling wreck, Deserted, sad and lone, Repeat the legend, here no more, "Will we come gathering home." No more within these crumbling walls, Where build the noisy birds, Will I behold my mother's form, Or hear her loving words. No more beneath this falling roof, Each widening gap doth tell, Will come again, with laugh and song, Those happy ones to dwell. No more, along these silent paths, Their merry feet will roam; But one by one just over there They all will gather home. Washington, Penn., May 28, 1885.
Text taken from page 144 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed April 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]