My Genealogy Hound

BURR FORBES.
Among the prominent, energetic and far-sighted business men of Union county is numbered Burr Forbes, of the village of Arispe. He was reared to farm life and has always followed that vocation. He started upon his business career in this county in 1870 with practically no capital but as the years have gone by he has prospered and while his original home here was a small and humble frame dwelling he has today one of the most magnificent country residences in Iowa, standing in the midst of a highly improved and valuable farm of Union county. It is, furthermore, supplied with commodious buildings, furnishing ample accomodation in every way, and no accessory or convenience of the model farm of the twentieth century is here lacking. His home stands just at the outskirts of Arispe and, extending his activities, he has opened in the village one of the largest lumberyards in the county. This proved an initial step to other mammoth labor, resulting in 1904 in the erection of a large brick business block, in which he today carries an extensive line of hardware and furniture. It is one of the most complete stores of the kind to be found in the state of Iowa, three floors being utilized for the display of his goods. It will thus be seen that Mr. Forbes is one of the leading citizens of Union county, his labors proving a valued element in commercial and agricultural development. Honored and respected by all, the high regard in which he is uniformly held is not only a tribute to his success but also to the straightforward business methods he has ever followed.

Mr. Forbes is a native of New York, his birth having occurred in West Union, Steuben county, on the 25th of October, 1842. His father, Moses Forbes, was a native of New York, where he was reared and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Abigail M. Redfield. In the east he followed farming and blacksmithing and in 1851 he came to the middle west, first establishing his home at Tiskilwa, in Bureau county. In that locality he opened up a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he cultivated and improved for a number of years, but spent his last days in Newton, Jasper county, Iowa. He had removed to that county in 1868, and there enjoyed in large measure the respect and good will of his fellow townsmen.

Burr Forbes was the second in order of birth in a family of six children and the experiences of farm life early became familiar to him, for his boyhood and youth were spent under the parental roof, where lessons of industry, economy and integrity were early impressed upon his mind. Good educational privileges were also afforded him and after attending the public schools he continued his studies in Alfred University of New York for three years. Returning to the west, he remained at home with his parents until twenty years of age, after which he visited various parts of the country.

In the fall of 1868 Mr. Forbes made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Malinda Umbarger, a native of Bureau county, Illinois, and a daughter of Joseph Umbarger. Following his marriage he rented a tract of land in Jasper county and for a year engaged in farming there. In 1870 he came to this county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he has added from time to time as his financial resources have permitted until he now owns five hundred and forty acres. His property holdings are thus extensive and valuable for the land is very rich and productive. With characteristic energy he began to improve the place and the substantial buildings are monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He formerly engaged quite extensively in raising stock and annually sold from two to three carloads. He made a specialty of the raising of Poland China hogs in addition to his cattle-raising interests and has fed from one to two carloads of hogs each year.

That Mr. Forbes is a man of resourceful business ability is a widely recognized fact. He has not been only a prosperous agriculturist but is equally well known for his successful operations in commercial lines. In 1891 he opened his lumberyard in Arispe and gradually developed his business interests, establishing a hardware store and eventually adding an extensive furniture department. Erecting a fine brick business block in 1904, he now utilizes all three floors for the conduct of his business. In addition to the sale of lumber he handles brick, tile and all kinds of building materials. His son Frank is his partner in business and together they conduct very extensive mercantile interests, while the father also manages his large farm and says that the older he gets the more work he finds to do. He is also better qualified to do this work for he has learned well the lessons of practical experience, knows how to best utilize his time, his strength and his resources, and in the conduct of his interests displays splendid executive force and keen business discrimination.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Forbes were born three children. Frank, the only son and his partner, married Rahama Rolf and they have one child, Erma. Lenora K. is the wife of Dr. J. W. Forney, of Osceola, and they have one child, Malcolm. Lillie C. is the wife of John Z. Reed, of Rapid City, South Dakota, and they have one son, John Z., Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Forbes are prominent in the community and their beautiful home is most attractive by reason of its warmhearted hospitality. He has been a life-long republican but does not consider himself bound by party ties and frequently casts an independent local ballot. He is now treasurer of the school district of the village of Arispe and has been a delegate to various county conventions. He has achieved notable success and his course has ever been marked by all that is honorable and straightforward in man’s relations with his fellowmen. His business methods are thoroughly sound and his course has been characterized by an orderly progression which indicates that he is master of himself and of conditions with which he is surrounded. He has known how to value his own powers and judging by his success he has comparatively few limitations. Moreover, free from ostentation and display, the weight of his character is such as to make his name an honored one whether in business circles, in social relations or in private life.