FORSYTHE, John W. (1844-1896)

FORSYTHE, SYKES, LONG, DAYTON

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 8/8/2014 at 17:32:22

Mustered Out

Rev. J. W. Forsythe who was taken suddenly and seriously ill at Worthington, Minn., a few weeks ago, died last Friday, December 18th, aged 52 years, 1 month and 18 days. The remains were brought to Britt on Sunday and the funeral took place from the Congregational church Sunday afternoon 2:00 o'clock. Rev. W. H. Stewart assisted by Rev. O. K. Maynard, officiating, followed by the ritual of Howe Post, G. A R., No. 179, of which organization he was a member, at the grave in Evergreen cemetery.

Following are the facts in the history of the deceased as handed to us by one of the family.

Rev. John W. Forsythe was born at Leesburg, London county, Va., Oct. 30th, 1844, which place was his home until the outbreak of the civil war, when he enlisted in Co. B., Independent Va., Rangers, on the Union side, and served until May 31, 1865. Six months of this time was spent as a prisoner of war in Libby prison.

Shortly after the close of the war, Mr. Forsythe became a Christian and was licensed by the M. E. church to preach. On July 1st. 1869, he was married to Miss Mary C. Sykes, who died at Gilmore City, Iowa, December, 4, 1889.

Four children were born to them, as follows, all of whom survive and were present at the obsequies of their parent: Mrs C. B. Long, of Britt, William of Emmetsburg, Ames who has until quite recently been living in Garner and Stella, who lives with her sister in this place.

In 1875 Rev. Forsythe and family moved to Maryland, where they remained until 1878, when they removed to Ohio, and in 1883 returned to Virginia.

In 1885 they came to Iowa, and the deceased took work in the Northwest Iowa conference where he worked until 1884. when poor health compelled him to give up regular pastoral work and he was thereafter engaged, when able to do so, in evangelistic work for different churches. On December 25th. he was again married to Miss Minnie Dayton, at Bradgate, Iowa, who died in Callfornia, in 1896.

In August, 1896, Rev. Forsythe was ordained and installed as a regular pastor of the Bapist church at Worthington, Minn., which place was the scene of his labors up to the time of his last Illness.

Deceased was an earnest, faithful exponent in his daily life of the creed he professed, and viewed calmly his approaching end, arranging many of the details of his funeral. The text used by Rev. Stewart was of his selection and was taken from 1st Corrinthians. 15-57: "Thanks be to God who hath given us the victory," and was the inspiration of an eloquent and feeling tribute to the loyalty and true personal worth of deceased as a citizen, soldier and Christian gentleman. The pall bearers were Wm. Mudgett, H. H. Guy, Thos. Duff, M. Nugent, Ben Garthwalt and O. H. StIlson, of Corwith.

source: Britt News, Britt, Iowa, 23 Dec 1896, page 6, column 6