Andrew J. Forbes, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Andrew J. Forbes
ANDREW J. FORBES. One of the most progressive, enterprising and far-seeing agriculturists of Jackson township, where he is now the owner of 240 acres of land, is Andrew J. Forbes, of section 36, a man who has taken intelligent advantage of the opportunities the country affords to thrift and industry and is now well established financially and holds a high place in public regard. Mr. Forbes was born in Jackson township, February 9, 1864, and is a son of Jacob T. and Martha (Pettit) Forbes.
Jacob T. Forbes was born in Madison county, New York, and as a young man removed to Canada, where he was married to Martha Pettit, a native of the Dominion. After their marriage they came to Porter county, Indiana, settling on a farm in Jackson township, and here spent the remainder of their lives. They had a family of seven children, of whom two died in infancy in Canada, while three survive at this time: Huldah, the widow of J. W. McClellan, residing in Valparaiso; Thaddeus, a retired farmer of that city, and Andrew J. Andrew J. Forbes was reared on the old homestead property, and his education was secured in the district schools, which he attended until he was sixteen years of age. Choosing agricultural pursuits as his life work, he continued to reside under the parental roof, and when he was twenty-one year of age was given a farm by his father. He continued to engage in farming for a number of years, but seeing a good business opportunity in Westville, purchased a hardware establishment there and conducted it for a year. He continued to reside in that place for two years more, being engaged in the grain and stock business until 1906, in which year he returned to the farm, which he now operates. He is the owner of a finely improved property of 240 acres in section 36, as well as 160 acres in South Dakota and 200 acres in the oil region of Oklahoma. Mr. Forbes lets no opportunity go by to improve his own property and elevate the standard of the community in every way. His farm is a model of thrift, foresight and intelligent application of the best methods, and is one of the most desirable in the township. In politics he is a Democrat, but is very liberal in his views. He is a man of great public spirit and is always concerned in whatever operates for the welfare of the community, is recognized as a leading man in his section, and has influence in all public and local matters.
In 1889 Mr. Forbes was married to Miss Mary Pickerell, now deceased, born and reared in Washington township. She became the mother of three children: one who died in infancy; Martha, a graduate of the Westville high school and a licensed teacher; and Laura, a student in the Westville schools. On December 31, 1903, Mr. Forbes was married to Miss Della Snyder, and they have one son, Vernon J., an interesting lad of seven years. Mrs. Forbes received a good education and obtained a certificate to teach school.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 774-775
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook