John Forsyth (1775-1876)

FORSYTH, ANTRIM

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/18/2012 at 23:59:06

From Nevada Representative April 5, 1876

Knoxville Journal March 30
DEATH OF AN IOWA CENTENARIAN.

Mr. John Forsyth, aged 100 years, 11 months and 20 days, died on the 17th inst., March, 1876, at the house of his grand son, Mr. W. K. Roure, in Clay township, this county.

Mr. Forsyth was able to walk about the house to within 24 hours of his death. His sight and hearing were somewhat impaired, but his mental faculties as well as his physical strength were well preserved. He conversed rationally with his friends not more than ten minutes before his end. Six of his children, three sons and three daughters, survived him. His parents were members of the society of Friends, and our subject inherited their faith. After his marriage however, his emigration to Indiana separated him from his congenial religious associations, and he joined his wife in membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Father Forsyth was born Marh 27, 1775, Mercer county, New Jersey, and in 1807 was married to Elizabeth Antrim, of the same county. In 1828 he emigrated to Decatur county, Indiana where he improved a farm and planted an orchard of choice fruits. Here he resided until the death of his wife; and in 1863 he removed to Marion county, Iowa to spend the remainder of his days. Born before this Republic had an existence, he lived to witness its growth to a powerful nation. Up to the day of his death he remembered having seen the patriots of the Revolutionary war in military uniforms, and their measured tread when with victory crowned they marched homeward after the struggle. He voted at every Presidential election from Jefferson to Grant. From his erly manhood to the time of the dissolution of the Whig party he was an earnest advocate of its principles. Since that time he has given his votes and influence to the Republican party.