James Forester, Sr.

FORESTER, ROBINSON

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 3/16/2015 at 19:25:28

Dubuque Telegraph Herald

JAMES FORESTER DEAD
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WELL KNOWN CITIZEN PASSES
AWAY SUNDAY NIGHT
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Deceased Underwent an Operation at Finley
Hospital Three Weeks Ago Was Recovering
When Paralysis Came and Carried
Him Away – Was a Prominent Business Man
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James Forester, Sr., one of the best known business men of the city died at Finley Hospital at 8 o'clock Sunday evening after three weeks of suffering.

Three weeks ago Mr. Forester was taken to the hospital where he underwent an operation for a chronic trouble. The operation was very successful and he was gradually regaining strength when on Saturday he suffered a stroke of paralysis that carried him away at the hour stated above.

Deceased was a native of New York, where he was born in 1830, and was a member of one of the sturdy families of the Empire State. When he grew, he manifested great ability for the mercantile business, and in New York city he engaged in business when very young. About the year 1874, he came west, settled in Decatur, Ill., where he was engaged in mercantile business. In 1879, he moved to Dubuque, where he at once opened up an overall manufactory, in the upper two stories of the Globe building, over Platt Bros. Store, near Fifth and Main Streets. His business grew so rapidly that in a few years his quarters were to small, when he removed his plant to the new building on Iowa, between Seventh and Eighth. Up to this time Mr. Forester had conducted his prosperous business alone, but soon after locating on Iowa Street Mr. C. S. Robinson, who had been in the employ of the establishment, and James Forester, Jr., were added to the firm, which from that time on until the present day was known as James Forester & Co. The business grew in volume, and the large force of hands employed up until that time has been increased, and at present the establishment is one of the largest and most successful of the kind in operation in the city. About the year 1891, the present large building, situated on Fourth and Iowa Streets, which is owned by the firm, was erected, and through careful management by the deceased the concern has prospered.

Mr. Forester was a member of the Episcopal Church, and has been an active supporter of St. John's since he came to the city. He is survived by his widow and two children, Mrs. Charles Robinson and Mr. James Forester, Jr. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Burial will be private.