Biography of W. H. Forest, pages 716/717.  History of DeKalb County, 
Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 1914



W. H. Forest



	In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch 
the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet 
he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown 
the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life---a life 
characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well defined 
purpose.  To do this will be but at reiterate the dictum pronounced 
upon the man by the people who have known him so long and well, for the 
subject presents in his career an interesting study of the manner in 
which adherence to principle and sturdy endeavor may win worthy 
distinction.

	W. H. Forrest was born in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, on 
October 5, 1849, the son of James and Margaret (Aston) Forrest, both of 
whom were also natives of the Keystone state.  James Forrest came to 
Ohio from Pennsylvania, settling on the farm, where he remained until 
his death, at the age of eighty-two years.  His wife also spent the 
remainder of her life in that state, dying at the age of seventy-six 
years.  They were the parents of eight children, Maria, John, James, 
Margharetta, Joseph Benton, Owen, Wilson, Wallace, all of whom are 
deceased except Joseph and the subject of this sketch.

	W. H. Forrest received his education in the common schools of 
Ohio and then took up the trade of a plasterer, which he followed 
during all his active years.  He is now the owner of thirty acres of 
land and is living practically a retired life.  He came to Indiana in 
1881, settling first at Butler, where he followed his trade as a 
plasterer for two years, and then moved to his farm in Wilmington 
township, where for twelve years he devoted himself to its operation, 
and in which he met with the most pronounced success, so that at the 
end of the period named he was justified in selling the property and in 
buying his present comfortable home at Moore, where he is now living 
retired from active affairs and enjoying that rest which his former 
yeas of labor so richly entitled him to.

	On November 3, 1881, Mr. Forrest was married to Margaret A. 
Moore, who was born in January 1, 1855, in DeKalb county, Indiana, the 
daughter of Aaron D. and Rebecca (Caldwell) Moore. Her father was a 
native of the state of Ohio, and the Moore family history is given 
somewhat in detail in the sketch of John Moore, elsewhere in this work.  
To Mr. and Mrs. Forrest have been born two children, namely: Rebecca, 
who married Otis W. Loutzenhiser, of Moore, Indiana, and they have one 
child, Violet; Ethel, who became the wife of Fred Oiler, of Moore, 
Indiana, and they have one child, Forest.

	Politically, the subject of this sketch is a supporter of the 
Democratic party, to which he has ever been loyal, though he has been 
to busy a man to give much attention to public affairs and has never 
held public office of any nature.  Throughout an active and interesting 
career duty has ever been his motive of action and usefulness to his 
fellow men not by any means a secondary consideration.  He has 
performed well his part in life and it is a compliment worthily 
bestowed to say that DeKalb county is honored by his citizenship, for 
he has achieved success through his own efforts and it thoroughly 
deserving of the proud American title of self-made man, the term being 
one that in its better sense can not but appeal to the loyal admiration 
of all who are appreciative of our national institutions and the 
privileges afforded for individual accomplishment.



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com