Forman, Henry C.

FORMAN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 14:49:50

HENRY C. FORMAN
born July 28, 1847, W. VA.

H. C. Forman, - Among those who have long been identified with the history of Warren county and its upbuilding and advancement is this gentleman, who is now numbered among the representative agriculturists of this section of the State. He was born in Preston county, West Virginia, July 28, 1847, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (May) Forman, the sixth in order of birth in their family of seven children. The family was founded in Virginia in Colonial days, and the grandfather of our subject was there born and made that State his home for some years. Later he removed to Preston county, West Virginia, where he reared his family and spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. Joseph Forman was born in Virginia, and on the old homestead was reared to manhood, receiving the benefits of a common-school education. He too followed farming as a life work. Shortly after reaching man's estate he married a Miss Bullion, by whom he had one child, Rosanna, who became the wife of James Cyrus Conrad, a soldier of Company C, Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry. For many years they resided in Warren county and three sons of their family of four children yet survive. For his second wife, Joseph Forman wedded Elizabeth May, also a native of Virginia. He died about 1850, leaving the mother with a family of seven children. Believing that she could better secure a home for them in the West, in the early 50s she emigrated to Iowa, in company with a family by the name of Thompson, and for a short time resided in Marion county, removing thence to Monroe county, where she entered a tract of land. About two years later she determined to come to Warren county and through her eldest son, James, entered a tract of eighty acres on section 32, Squaw township, the property which is now in the possession of our subject. This was partially covered with timber and underbrush and was entirely wild and unimproved, not a furrow having been turned upon the place. With the aid of her sons, Mrs. Forman transformed this into a rich and valuable farm. She certainly deserves great credit for what she accomplished and for the tender care with which she reared her children. On the 22d of August, 1876, she was called to the home beyond and her remains were interred in Liberty cemetery, where a monument has been erected to her memory. Of the family of seven children only are now living, - Rebecca, a resident of Pottawatomie county, Kansas; H.C. of this review; and Ruth, widow of James McPherson, of Indianola, Iowa. No event of special importance occurred during the childhood and youth of our subject who was not more than six years of age when the family came to Iowa. He was reared in the county which is still his home and began his education in the home of his uncle, William Forman. Mrs. Conrad, his half sister, conducted the school in William Forman's kitchen. He also learned lessons of industry and self reliance, whereby he has been enabled to make the most of his opportunities through life. On the 22nd of December, 1882, Mr. Forman wedded Miss Caroline Flager, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Braucht) Flager. She is numbered among the native daughters of Warren county and is a cultured and refined lady who has the warm regard of all with whom she has been brought in contact. For several terms she successfully engaged in teaching and has proved to her husband an able helpmeet. Of their marriage has been born one child, Fred, born May 19, 1886. They also have an adopted daughter, Lelia Lavergne Lucas, who was born April 17, 1890. Her mother died when she was only four months old and since that time she has been tenderly cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Forman. Our subject now owns a fine farm of 250 acres, under a high state of cultivation. He has successfully carried on stock raising for a number of years and has some fine cattle and hogs. Though his yield of corn last year reached 2,500 bushels he will feed it all to his stock. In politics he has been an earnest Republican since casting his first presidential vote for US Grant. He has served as Township Trustee, and was elected Justice of the Peace, but refused to qualify, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.290