Cynthia Hellyer Forbes (1846-1924)

DOWNING, FORBES, HELLYER, KERR, LAMBERSON, MILLER

Posted By: Volunteer Paul French
Date: 10/6/2006 at 14:19:27

Cynthia Hellyer, daughter of Malothi and Malinda Hellyer, was born near Hiramsburg, Ohio, September 28th, 1846. When a child of eight she came with her parents to Van Buren County and located on a farm southeast of Leando where she lived until her marriage. On Feb. 28th, 1867, she was married to Robert Forbes. They at once moved to their farm two and one half miles north of Pittsbury [sic], where they spent forty two years. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, two of whom died in infancy. The surviving children are: Mrs. J. W. Miller of Drakesville, Iowa, Will Forbes of Yorktown, Iowa, Watter and Ben of Keosauqua, Iowa, Mrs. J. W. Lamberson of Toledo, Ohio, Robert A. of Asheville, North Carolina. Two sisters of her fathers family also survive, Mrs. Nancy Downing of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Mrs. Delilah Kerr, of Keosauqua, Iowa. Mrs. Forbes united with the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Zion many years ago, but being so far away was unable to attend the church of her choice very much, but often in her conversation she showed faith in the Lord and interest in the Church and Sunday Schools.

Mr. Forbes died Feb. 28th, 1922. She cared for him through all his illness and it weakened her. That with other afflictions was too much for her and she fell asleep February 5th, 1924.

Source: undated newspaper clipping with no source cited contained in “Family History” of the Barker, Sherod, and Forbes families and descendants compiled by Bernadine Forbes Clark, December 1980.