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Pioneer - FORBES, James
Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County
Information from: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906
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FORBES, James
(d), b. Kinross, Scot. and came to Canada; his children were:
James, Jr., Robert, David, Mrs. Adam Shaw, Mrs. Fayette, Pres. missionary,
and Jessie.
Robert served his apprenticeship as a draper in Paisley, Scot., and was the first to come to Canada, returning four years later, to bring out the others. He found employment first in John Yonng's wholesale store and was also with Buchannan, Harris & Co., Hamilton, Canada. After his father came to Canada, he opened a store in Galt, and was also in Ayr for a short time. On account of ill health, he sold out, and went to Hespeler, where he engaged in the tanning business, and later, with Mr. Scofield, bought out Farr's Woollen Mills, (now R. Forbes Co. Ltd.). Some years after, he purchased, and ran, Linderman's mill con. 10, Puslinch. In Jan. 1871, he retired to Guelph City, and aside from looking after his investments and woollen mill interests at Hespeler, did not engage in any active business. He d. in 1895. The late Robert Forbes was a man of great executive ability He had a good education as well as a thorough business training in Scot. and he did not hesitate to under-take large enterprises, all of which he successfully exploited, and accumulated a large property. He also found time to interest himself in religious matters, and was Manager of Chalmer's Pres. Church for some years, and a liberal contributor to the same. In politics, he was a Conservative. He m. Ann Duthie. Issue: Mrs. Chas. Auld; James H., who was connected with the woollen mills at Hespeler; George D., of Star Woollen Mills, Hespeler; Mrs. (Prof.) Nicol, Queen University; and Margaret, and Carolina, at home. James, Jr. came to Canada four years later than his brother Robert. He established a patent pail manufactory in Galt, but afterwards went to St. Louis, where he was successfully engaged in the coffee and spice business. David, later, joined in St. Louis. From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto:Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906 |
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