- 1916, Friday June 30, The Almonte Gazette, page 4
DEATH'S HARVEST
Mr Jas Forgie
Another of Almonte's very oldest residents has responded to the inevitable call that comes sooner or later to every one, and Mr James Forgie passed beyond this world's recall. On Saturday he had been about as usual but on Sunday he was taken very ill, and on Wednesday morning he quietly slept away. The late Mr Forgie was born in Ramsay township on April 1st, 1833, a son of the late Graham Forgie and Ann Gemmill. He came to Almonte when he was a young man, and here he engaged in occupation of one kind or another. He was a wagon-maker by trade, but even in those early days real estate divisions were attractive and he purchased the land on the northern end of the town through which Ottawa street is today the main thoroughfare. From the proceeds of this transaction he was enabled to embark in other enterprises in which his efforts also proved successful, and aided him in making ample provision for his declining years. In 1870 he erected the brick store and dwelling, in which he carried on business for a number of years. On May 5th, 1855, Mr Forgie was married to Miss Isabella Thomlinson, and to them twelve children were born, on two of whom are now living. These are Mr J.G. Forgie, barrister, of Pembroke, and Mrs A.E. Teskey of Winnipeg. On May 5, 1905, Mr and Mrs Forgie celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. Two years later Mrs Forgie was called away, and on August 29, 1911, Mr Forgie was again married to Georgina G. Smith, who survives him. Two brothers of Mr Forgie's are still living, Henry at Toronto and Robert at Portage la Prairie. The funeral took place this Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock to the Presbyterian cemetery and was attended by a large number, both of townspeople and others, whose respect and esteem Mr Forgie had won. The late Mr Forgie was a life-long member of the Presbyterian church, and was one of the staunch supporters of and liberal contributors to St. John's church, when it did not enjoy prosperity that marked its later years. No appeal for truly religious or charitable purposes was ever made in vain to him, and very few knew the amount of the benefactions dispensed by him, as he put into actual practice the scriptural injuction, "Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth." He was possessed of very quiet and retiring disposition, and it was only as one was taken into his confidence that the true strength of his character became known. He was upright and straightforward in his dealings, in which his word was his bond. His passing away was the closing of a life that any person might well covet possession of.
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1833 - 1916 (83 years)
