Biographical Sketch of Lewis FORSYTHE (1904); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** "Historical Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania", Vol. 2, edited by Gil- bert Cope and Henry Graham Ashmead, Lewis Publishing Company, New York, 1904, page 451. "LEWIS FORSYTHE, a venerable and esteemed citizen of West Grove, Chester county, Pennsylvania, is now leading a retired life which is a fitting sequel to his many years of usefulness and activity. He is a native of East Bradford township, now Birmingham, Chester county, Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred on the old farm April 3, 1825. "John Forsythe (grandfather) was born in Ireland in 1754. He received a good English education in the schools of his native country and also became an expert performer on the violin, having been endowed with a fine musical taste. At the age of nineteen years he migrated to this country and settled in East Bradford township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he soon adopted the views and principles of the Society of Friends. In 1776 he removed to the neighborhood of Birmingham and became the teacher of the school at Birmingham Meeting House, which was conducted under the auspices of the Concord Monthly Meeting, and here he diligently applied himself to his arduous duties for twenty years. When the noble Quaker institution at Westtown, Chester county, was erected near the close of the eighteenth century, his skill and experience were put in requisition until that semi- nary was fairly inaugurated, after which he retired to his farm in East Bradford and there superintended agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in the eighty-seventh year of his age. He presided at the first meeting, held in 1811, to promote the establishment of the West Chester Academy, and was one of the generous contributors to that enter- prise. On April 12, 1781, at Birmingham Meeting, Mr. Forsythe married Hannah Carter, daughter of John and Hannah Carter, of East Bradford. Their children were - John, James, and Hannah. "James Forsythe (father) was born on the old homestead in East Bradford township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, July 1, 1785. He acquired a liberal education at the Westtown Boarding School, and having been reared upon a farm his tastes and inclinations led him to adopt that occupation for his life's work. He conducted his extensive operations on the home farm, and was considered one of the practical and progressive farmers of the community. In religion he adhered to the faith of his forefathers and became a member of the Society of Friends; in politics he was a Republican but took no active part in the management of affairs. Mr. Forsythe was united in marriage to Ann Truman, daughter of William and Susan Truman, the former named a representative farmer of Caln township, Chester county, and the following named children were born to them - William, married Elizabeth Pusey; Susan, became the wife of Aaron Sharpless; John, married Mary Smith; Elizabeth, unmarried; and Lewis Forsythe. James Forsythe, father of these children, died March 9, 1851; his wife passed away in 1846. "Lewis Forsythe, son of James and Ann Forsythe, pursued his studies at the Westtown Boarding School, and his first business experience was gained in the capacity of book-keeper at the school. He then engaged in agricul- tural pursuits on the old homestead, which he continued until 1879, and during this period by dint of thrift and industry he accumulated a suffi- cient competence to allow him to enjoy a life of ease and comfort in his declining years. Since 1879 he has been a resident of West Grove, Chester county, and has always manifested a deep interest in its welfare and de velopment. He holds a birthright membership in the Society of Friends, and is an adherent of the principles of the Republican party. "In 1854, Mr. Forsythe married Mary A. Hoopes, daughter of Davis and Sarah Hoopes, of East Caln township, Chester county, where Mr. Hoopes was engaged in farming pursuits. Their children are - Charles, married Caroline Hayes, and they are the parents of three children: Henry, married Maud Couchman, and one child has been born of this union; Davis H., unmarried; Mary D., unmarried; Frances, wife of William B. Harvey; and Susan S., unmarried."