Forbes, Erwin

FORBES, REDFIELD, MCDONALD

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/12/2009 at 16:26:22

Erwin Forbes, who carries of general farming on section 17, Palo Alto Township, is numbered among the early settlers of Jasper County of 1866, his residence therefore covering a period of twenty-seven years. He was born in Steuben County, N. Y., October 3, 1844, and is the son of Moses and Abigail M. (Redfield) Forbes, who were also natives of the Empire State. The paternal grandfather was probably in soldier in the Revolutionary War. When Erwin was a lad of six summers he removed with his parents to Bureau County, Ill., locating about nine miles south of Princeton. The family was early settlers of that community. Our subject was there reared to manhood amid the scenes of pioneer life, and was early inured to the arduous task of developing a new farm. His educational privileges were those afforded by the common schools of the neighborhood. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until twenty years of age, when in February 1865, he left home to enter the services of his country, becoming a member of Company K, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry. He was at once sent to Middle Tennessee, where he was engaged principally in patrolling railroads. After the war was over he was honorably discharged, in October 1865, and immediately returned to his Illinois home.

The following winter Mr. Forbes attended school, and in the spring of 1866 he came to Iowa, locating in Jasper County. Here he settled upon his present farm and has made it his home continuously since, devoting his time and attention entirely to its cultivation. He has been very successful in his operation, and has made additional purchases of land until he now owns six hundred and eighty acres, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation and yields to the owner a golden tribute. He began life empty handed, and when he came to Jasper County he had only $1,000, but by industry, enterprise and good management he has steadily increased his property until he is now one of the wealthy citizens of the community. He engages quite extensively in raising fine stock, making a specialty of good grades of cattle. He also raises Poland-China hogs and a good grade of horses.

The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Forbes was in her maidenhood as Wilda McDonald. She was born in southern Iowa, and is a daughter of William J. McDonald. Their union was celebrated February 22, 1872, and unto them have been born six children: Pearl, Eugene, Jay, Lee, Don and Ida. The children have been provided with good educational advantages, for Mr. Forbes is a stanch friend of the public schools, and in fact gives his support and co-operation to whatever enterprise he believes is calculated to prove of public benefit. Politically our subject is connected with the People's Party, but is not an office seeker. Socially, he is connected with the Grand Army post of Newton, and in religious belief both he and his wife are Baptists, belonging to the church at Newton. His possessions stand as monuments to his enterprise and labor and are the reward of a useful and well spent life. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 288.