BIO:  Hamilton W. FORREST, Littlestown, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Pages 423-424

HAMILTON W. FORREST, farmer, P.O. Littlestown.  The ancestors of the Forrest 
family were of English descent.  The grandfather, Jonathan Forrest, was one of 
the pioneer preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Maryland, but when 
the break occurred in the Methodist Church and he had to decide between the M.E. 
and the M.P. Churches, he cast his vote with the latter and preached its 
doctrines till his death.  He had a circuit of six weeks, always traveled on 
horseback, and his labors were blessed with good results.  The text preached at 
his funeral was “Mark the upright, and behold the perfect man, for the end of 
that man is peace.”  His influence for years was felt by all who knew him.  He 
was married in Maryland, and reared six children:  Charity (married to John 
Whittle), Sarah (died single), Millie (married to a Mr. Harn), Susanna (married 
to a Mr. Hays) - these two married and moved to the Cumberland Valley; Nelson 
(who remained at the old homestead, which joined the old stone chapel, well 
known in Methodist history, and there reared a family of five children and died; 
his descendants are yet living in Carroll County, Md.), and Jonathan C. (Nelson 
and Jonathan C. married sisters).  The last named was born in Anne Arundel 
County, Md., was a farmer and a justice of the peace for nineteen years, 
refusing a re-election.  He led a life of honesty and uprightness, presenting a 
living example to his posterity.  He died at the home of his son, Hamilton W.  
He was married, in 1817, to Lydia Cassell, born in Baltimore, Md., daughter of 
John Cassell, and of German extraction.  She died in this county, on the farm to 
which her husband had removed in 1818, shortly after they were married.  To Mr. 
and Mrs. Jonathan C. Forrest were born nine children:  Mary D., Ann W., Eliza 
E., Eveline C., John N. (deceased), Hamilton W., Lydia A., Hanson F., Upton F.  
Of these Hanson F. was educated at Concord University, Concord, Vt., and is a 
member of the Vermont Conference.  Hamilton W. was born March 12, 1828, in 
Germany, and was reared on a farm, attending school in this county, but is 
mainly self-educated.  In early life he taught school (from eighteen till 
thirty-five years of age), and then devoted his attention to farming his 
property adjoining his father’s old homestead.  He was married, March 30, 1858, 
to Miss Louisa M. C., daughter of J. Michael and Mary A. Kitzmiller, descendants 
of the old pioneer family of that name, who settled on Conowago Creek in this 
county, while the Indians were still roaming over the country.  Divine service 
was often held in their house by preachers of various denominations.  They were 
true pioneers, hospitable, friendly to the Indians, and known far and wide for 
their honor and many virtues.  The names of the eight children, now living, born 
to our subject and wife are John W., H. Judson, Annie L., Emory H., Granville 
L., Emma L., Eddy G. C. and Fletcher B.  John W. was educated at Dickeson 
Seminary, Williamsport, Penn., fitted himself for the ministry, and has preached 
two years successfully.  He belongs to the Central Pennsylvania Conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Hamilton W. Forrest has never meddled with 
politics, but has given his voice to help the cause of Prohibition.  He has held 
many high offices in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been 
exhorter for over thirty years, assistant class-leader, Sunday-school 
superintendent, class and circuit steward, delegate to annual conference, etc., 
and seems to have inherited many of his ancestors’ good qualities of head and 
heart.