Although we have tried to be as accurate as possible in our research, mistakes happen, if you know of any corrections or additions to this family please contact me, thanks Laurie lselpien@msn.com
Robert T. Forth
The founding father of this family is best described in his obituary…….
Wayne County Press, August 19 1886, Wayne County IL.
The death of Hon. R. T. Forth (Robert T. ) was briefly announced in last week's Press and we are now enabled to give a more extended obituary.
Mr. Forth was a native of Bowling Green, Ky. and would have been 73 years old had he lived to September 15th 1886.
He came to Wayne county fifty some years ago and settled in what is now Elm River township. After residing there about six years he removed to Hickory Hills, where he lived until the day of his death with the following exceptions; a few months spent in Flora, merchandising and he was three years a resident of Fairfield in the banking business, associated with Judge Boggs, Hon. W. H. Robinson and Col. G. W. Johns under the style of Forth, Robinson & Co. Mr. Forth began life as a farmer, which he continued on an extensive scale, together with stock raising, until the day of his death. He merchandised about twenty-five years. A number of years ago he was for a time a preacher in the General Baptist church. He was twice a member of the Lower House of the Illinois Legislature. Mr. Forth was three times married and was the father of twenty-five children, fourteen of whom survive him. All are of age except four, the youngest being seven years old. Mr. Forth's death was caused by paralysis and occurred on Wednesday morning August 11th. The body was buried in the family cemetery on Mr. Forth's farm, the funeral services being conducted by Elder H. H. Brown, an old time co-worker with Mr. Forth in the Baptist Church. At the suggestion of the eldest son the six sons acted as pallbearers. By industry, good management and economy Mr. Forth accumulated quite a fortune for this country. His wealth has been variously estimated from $75,000 to 100,000. A few years ago he divided up much of his real estate among his children. He left an estate of about $30,000, the larger proportion in good securities, to be divided between his widow and surviving children as provided by law, he having left no will. Mr. Forth was somewhat eccentric in the management of his money. Before going into banking he did a very extensive loaning business on farm property in his neighborhood. He frequently had large sums of money in his house and it is a great marvel that the fact was not known to thieves and robbery committed. On one occasion when W. H. Robinson visited him on business matters Mr. Forth took out of a bureau a large tin box in which was ten thousand dollars in each. Mr. Robinson remonstrated with him in regard to having this amount of money in the house, impressing on him the danger he was in of not only being robbed but murdered. A few days thereafter Mr. Forth came to town and invested $5,000 in government bonds. At one time when a son-in-law was getting seed oats out of the oats bin he came across a tin in which was deposited $2,800. Mr. Forth evidently believed that it was safest to have his wealth in various shapes so that if disaster overtook one investment another would be secure.
“Xenia's History 1834-1934,”
page 42: R. T. Forth is now living with third wife and has twenty six children the mothers being his first two wives, ob one of whom had eight and by another eighteen children. The first who was Mary Warren, and the second Amanda Flynn and a year ago he married Annie Hill, a buxom lass of twenty-three years. His youngest son is a lad 7 years old. R. T. Forth is now 73 years old…. It is said that when R. T. Forth married his young wife a year ago he settled $10,000.00 on her.
Born on 3 Sep 1814 in Bowling Green, Ky.
Died in Wayne County IL, on 11 Aug 1886, he was 71.
Buried in Forth Cemetery, Wayne Co. IL.
Occupation: Farmer, Banking, Merchandising & Legislator.
On 6 Nov 1829 when Robert T. was 15, he first married Mary WARREN1,9, in Vanderburg Co. Indiana.1
Born on 10 Oct 1814 in Vanderburgh Co., Indiana.
Died in Wayne County IL, on 6 Feb 1851, she was 36.
Buried in Forth Cemetery, Wayne Co. IL.
They had the following children:
i. infant1. Born on 9 Nov 1832. Died on 9 Nov 1832. Buried in Forth Cemetery.
2 ii. John (1833-1868)
3 iii. William A. (Oscar) (1836-1896)
iv. Nancy Jane1.
Born on 10 Aug 1838 in Wayne County IL,.
Died on 10 Nov 1838 in Wayne County IL,.
Buried in Forth Cemetery, Wayne Co. IL.
4 v. James (1840-1908)
5 vi. Levi (1841-1912)
vii. Steven1. Born on 22 Oct 1843 in Wayne County IL,.
viii. Robert T.1. Born on 1 May 1846 in Wayne County IL,.
Married Martha J.1.
Born on 18 Sep 1848.
Died on 5 Jan 1897, she was 48.10
Buried in Thomason Cemetery, Wayne Co. IL.
ix. Josiah1.
Born on 8 Jun 1848 in Wayne County IL,.
Died in Wayne County IL, on 12 Feb 1851, he was 2.
Buried in Forth Cemetery, Wayne Co., Il.
On 11 Jun 1851 when Robert T. was 36, he second married Amanda FLINN5,1, daughter of Edward Perkin "Perry" FLINN & Cynthia COLVIN, in Wayne County IL,.
Born on 15 Jan 1836 in Gibson Co., Indiana.
Died in Hickory Hills Twp., Wayne County IL, on 12 Jan 1884, she was 47.
Buried in Forth Cemetery, Wayne Co., Il.
They had the following children:
ii. Infant daughter1 Born on 20 Nov 1853. Died on 20 Nov 1853. Buried in Forth Cemetery.
iii. Lewis Jefferson1. Born on 27 Mar 1855 in Wayne County IL,.
On 1 Jan 1878 when Lewis Jefferson was 22, he married Amanda Louisa SHORT.
iv. infant son1
Born on 10 Aug 1856 in Wayne County IL,.
Died on 12 Aug 1856 in Wayne County IL,.
Buried in Forth Cemetery.
v. Martha A.5,8,1. Born on 16 Sep 1857 in Hickory Hill, Wayne County IL,.
On 20 Oct 1880 when Martha A. was 23, she married George FUNDERBURK8,1, in Wayne County IL,.1
v. Larkin1.
Born on 28 Mar 1859 in Wayne County IL,.
Died on 4 Mar 1860 in Wayne County IL,.
Buried in Forth Cemetery.
vi. George Washington5,1.
Born on 22 Apr 1861 in Wayne County IL,.
Died in Los Angeles, Ca. on 2 Apr 1934, he was 72.
On 13 Nov 1879 when George Washington was 18, he married Elnora "ELLA" DAZEY1, in Wayne Co. Il.
Born in 1859 in Illinois.11
vii. Infant son1
Born on 2 Jan 1863.
Died on 2 Jan 1863.
Buried in Forth Cemetery.
7 ix. Nancy Ann (1864-1905)
8 xi. Louisa Celia (1866-1888)
xii. Thomas Jackson1.
Born on 9 Nov 1867 in Wayne County IL,.
Died in Wayne County IL, on 17 Dec 1868, he was 1.
Buried in Forth Cemetery.
xiii. Laura M.5,1.
Born on 5 Sep 1869 in Wayne County IL,.
Died in Johnsonville, Morgan Co. IL on 1 Nov 1941, she was 72.
Death cert. #: 0000511 Johnsonville Morgan Co. Il.
On 29 Jun 1887 when Laura M. was 17, she married Miles FUNDERBURK1, in Sangamon Co. IL.13
xiv. Charles Edward1.
Born on 5 Nov 1872 in Wayne County IL,.
Died on 10 Sep 1873.
xv. Josephine1.
Born on 18 Apr 1873.
Died in Sangamon Co. IL on 18 Mar 1923, she was 49.
Married Edward L. FUNDERBURK1.
xvi. infant1
Born in 1876.
Died in 1876.
Buried in Forth Cemetery.
xvii. Frederick1. Born on 1 May 1878 in Wayne County IL,. Died on 1 Jul 1933, he was 55.
On 1 Jul 1898 when Frederick was 20, he married Bessie STEWART1.
On 22 Sep 1884 when Robert T. was 70, he third married Fanny E. HILL8,1, in Wayne County IL,.8 Born abt 1820.
Second Generation
----------------------------------------
Born on 1 Aug 1833 in Indiana.
Died in Wayne County IL, on 21 Jun 1868, he was 34.15,16
Buried in Jacobs Chapel Wayne County Illinois.15
Married Francis CHAPMAN17,18,5. Census 1870, 1880
Born in 1833 in Indiana.
They had the following children:
i. Mary Ann18,5,15. Born abt 1852 in Illinois.
On 17 Apr 1887 when Mary Ann was 35, she married William A. DUNNING, son of Isaac DUNNING & Margareth VANZANT, in Wayne County, Illinois.19 Born in Ohio.
ii. Nancy Jane5,15. Born in 1860 in Wayne County, Illinois.
iii. Amanda18,5,20. Born in 1862 in Illinois.
9 iv. Lee (Levi) (1866-1888)
Born on 22 Sep 1836 in Illinois.
Died in St. Louis Mo. on 28 Aug 1896, he was 59.11
Buried in Bailey Cemetery, Wayne Co. IL.
In 1855 when William A. (Oscar) was 18, he married Mary Ann WARREN11,21,1, in Wayne County IL,.1
Born on 29 Mar 1837 in Illinois.
Died in Berry Twp. Wayne Co. Il. on 26 Nov 1922, she was 85.
Buried in Bailey Cemetery, Wayne Co. IL.
Death cert. #: 0960207 Berry Twp., Wayne County, Il.
They had one child:
i. Diburn Arda. Born in Orchardville Twp., Wayne Co., Il.
Born on 12 Feb 1840 in Wayne Co., Illinois.
Died in Denver Co. on 26 Apr 1908, he was 68.
On 22 Dec 1860 when James was 20, he married Martha FLINN11.
Born on 16 Sep 1838 in Indiana.
Died in Wayne City, Wayne County, Illinois on 12 Feb 1890, she was 51.22 OBIT
Cause of death: la grippe + heart trouble.
They had the following children:
i. Ollie22.
ii. Addie23.
Born abt 1869 in Wayne County, Illinois.
On 22 Dec 1889 when Addie was 20, she married Charles E. CASTLE23, son of Henry CASTLE & Ellen SMITH, in Wayne Co. Il.23
Born abt 1865 in Crawford Co., Il.
10 iii. Martha Olive
Born on 1 Dec 1841 in Wayne County IL,.
Died in Wayne County IL, on 15 Jan 1912, he was 70.
In 1862 when Levi was 20, he first married Missouri J. Born in 1842 in Indiana.
They had the following children:
i. Amanda. Born in 1863 in Wayne Co. Il.
ii. Martha J. Born in 1865 in Hickory Hill Twp., Wayne Co. Il.
iii. Theodore. Born in 1868 in Hickory Hill Twp., Wayne Co. Il.
11 iv. Emma C. (1870-)
v. James W. Born in 1871 in Hickory Hill Twp., Wayne Co. Il.
On 9 Aug 1910 when Levi was 68, he first married Mary E. Berry ELLIS1, in Wayne County IL,.
Born on 28 May 1852 in Orchardville, Wayne County IL,.
Died in Decatur, IL on 10 Jan 1936, she was 83.
Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Fairfield, Wayne County Illinois.
Death cert. #: Death Cert# 0002685 Macon, Decatur Co. Il.
Married George Washington WOLF11, son of Nathan WOLF (1811-1886) & Nancy Agnes WOMACK (1818-1900).
NOTE: Nathan & Nancy WOMACK Wolf are buried in the Bailey Cemetery
Born on 24 Apr 1845 in Mt. Erie, Wayne Co. IL.
Died in Fairfield, Wayne Co. IL. on 12 Dec 1923, he was 78.
Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Fairfield, Wayne County Illinois.
Death cert. #: 0960226 Fairfield Wayne co. Il.
They had the following children:
i. Robert A.11. Born in May 1870 in Hickory Hill Twp. Wayne Co. IL.
ii. Lewis Jefferson24,11.
Born on 12 Nov 1871 in Hickory Hill Twp. Wayne Co. IL.
Died in Mt. Erie, Wayne Co. IL. on 19 Nov 1919, he was 48.
Death cert. #: 0043903 Mount Erie Twp. Wayne co. Il.
On 6 May 1894 when Lewis Jefferson was 22, he married Rose Etta McDOWELL24,11, daughter of Samuel McDOWELL & ROBY, in Wayne County, Illinois.11,24
Born in 1871 in Edwards Co., Il.
12 iii. Grace (1876-1908)
iii. Bert Oliver11.
Born on 26 Oct 1879 in Hickory Hill Twp. Wayne Co. IL.
Died in Wayne County, Illinois on 12 Dec 1931, he was 52.
Death cert. #: 0960183 Fairfield Wayne Co. Il.
On 19 Apr 1903 when Bert Oliver was 23, he married Elizabeth M. POWELL11, in Wayne Co. Il.
Born in 1855 in Wayne co. Il.
iv. Amanda Louvella11.
Born on 17 Sep 1884 in Hickory Hill Twp. Wayne Co. IL.
Died in Orchardville, Wayne Co. IL. on 4 Sep 1918, she was 33.
Death cert. #: 0055224 Jasper Twp. Wayne County.
On 16 Oct 1901 when Amanda Louvella was 17, she first married Robert PEER11.
Born on 16 Mar 1883 in Big Mound, Wayne Co. IL.
Died in Wayne County, Illinois bef 1910, he was 26.
On 1 Oct 1913 when Amanda Louvella was 29, she second married Robert C. SCOTT11, in Wayne County, Illinois. Born on 4 Oct 1885 in Wayne County, Illinois.
vi. Joe11. Born in 1885 in Hickory Hill Twp. Wayne Co. IL.
Joe married Mary MEEKS11. Born in 1885.
vii. Elmer11. Born in 1886 in Hickory Hill Twp. Wayne Co. IL.
viii. Annie May11. Born on 16 Feb 1891 in Hickory Hill Twp. Wayne Co. IL. Annie May died on 24 Nov 1891.
13 ix. Laura Marie (1892-1962)
x. Eddie Ernest11. Born on 21 Jan 1895 in Hickory Hill Twp. Wayne Co. IL. Died on 8 Mar 1895.
Born on 5 May 1864 in Wayne County IL,.
Died in Wayne County IL, on 20 Sep 1905, she was 41.
On 23 Feb 1881 when Nancy Ann was 16, she married James Oliver COLIVER21,8, in Hickory Hills, Wayne Co., Il.8
Born in Crawford Co., Il.
They had the following children:
i. Robert Edward. Born on 25 Mar 1884 in Hickory Hill Twp., Wayne co., Il.25
ii. Mary Geneva21. Born on 4 Dec 1893 in Fairfield, Wayne County, Il.
Born on 24 Jan 1866 in Hickory Hill Twp., Wayne County IL,.
Died on 8 Nov 1888, she was 22.
Buried in Hale Cemetery, Wayne Co. IL.
In Jan 1885 when Louisa Celia was 18, she married George H. WEAVER, in Wayne Co. Il.8
They had the following children:
i. Robert E.
Died on 12 Oct 1901 in Wayne County IL,.
Buried in Hale Cemetery, Wayne Co. IL.
ii. Lucy A.11.
Born on 4 Nov 1885.
Died on 27 Jul 1886.
Buried in Hale Cemetery, Wayne Co. IL.
Third Generation
----------------------------------------
Born in 1866 in Wayne County IL,.
Died in Wayne County IL, in Feb 1888, he was 22.28 OBIT
In Dec 1885 when Lee (Levi) was 19, he married Clara A. ELLIS27,28,29,21,8, daughter of William ELLIS (1830-<1916) & Sara (1834-<1916), in Wayne co., Il.30
Born in 1870. census
Died in Wayne County IL, in Feb 1888, she was 18. OBIT / MURDER
Cause of Death; murdered by husband
Buried in Johnsonville Cemetery.28
They had one child:
14 i. John William (1886-1968)
10. Martha Olive FORTH.31,32
On 16 Aug 1892 Martha Olive married Harry Davis THING31,32, son of George THING & A. RUSHER, in Wayne County, Illinois.31 Born in Xenia, Wayne Co., Il.
They had the following children:
i. Henry Donald33. Born on 24 Dec 1908 in Wayne City, Wayne County, Illinois.
ii. Archie Lowell34. Born on 19 Sep 1895 in Wayne City, Wayne County, Illinois.
Born in 1870 in Hickory Hill Twp., Wayne Co. Il.
On 10 Jan 1886 when Emma C. was 16, she married Johannes KRAFT8, in Wayne Co. Il.35,36
Born in Hassan, Germany.37
They had the following children:
i. Ora Pauline. Born on 26 Aug 1890 in Hickory Hill Twp., Wayne co., Il.38
ii. Freda Cloe39. Born on 6 Sep 1893 in Wayne County, Illinois.
Born in 1876 in Mt. Erie, Wayne Co. IL.
Died in 1908, she was 32.
On 8 Jun 1896 when Grace was 20, she married Henry "James" BARNHART40,11, son of John M. BARNHART & Mary McCITTERICK, in Wayne County, Illinois.40
Born on 11 Oct 1875 in Bone Gap, Edwards Co, IL.
Died in Missouri in Nov 1962, he was 87.
They had the following children:
15 i. Mary (1899-1984)
16 ii. Cloe Marie (1900-1971)
iii. Ada Allene11.
Born on 23 Dec 1902 in Fairfield, Wayne Co. IL.
Died in Peoria, Illinois on 4 Jul 1995, she was 92.
First married Ron Howard AILES11.
Born in 1896 in Bellfountain, Ohio.
Died in Carthage, Illinois on 31 Aug 1941, he was 45.
Second married Jack HEINSMAN11 In 1967 . Born in 1905.
Born on 6 May 1892 in Hickory Hill Twp. Wayne Co. IL.
Died in Mattoon, Coles Co. IL. on 20 Feb 1962, she was 69.
On 4 Jun 1910 when Laura Marie was 18, she married William Roy BOND11, in Wayne Co. Il.9
Born on 16 Jun 1887 in Shelby Precinct, Edwards Co. IL.
Died in Springfield, Sangamon Co. IL. on 9 Feb 1937, he was 49.
They had the following children:
i. Alene Myree11.
Born on 16 Jun 1913 in Wayne County, Illinois.
Died on 24 Jun 1913 in Wayne County, Illinois.
ii. George William11.
Born on 1 May 1921 in Decatur, Macon Co. IL.
Died in Decatur, Macon Co. IL. on 22 Jan 1968, he was 46.
Fourth Generation
----------------------------------------
Born on 31 Aug 1886 in Indian Prairie, Wayne county, Il.21
Died in Carlyle, Clinton Co. IL on 17 Jul 1968, he was 81. OBIT
Buried in Bailey Cemetery, Wayne Co., IL.
On 11 Apr 1909 when John William was 22, he married Delila May JONES45,46, daughter of Silas Davis JONES (1841-1923) & Sara M. BOYD (1840-1905).
Born on 28 Apr 1892 in Wayne County.
Census 1900
Died in Joseph Hospital, Breeze, Clinton Co. Il on 2 Apr 1985, she was 92. OBIT
Buried on 4 Apr 1985 in Bailey Cemetery.
Religion: Aden General Baptist Church.
Soc. Sec. #: 358-18-3522.
They had the following children:
17 i. Opal Pearl (1910-2003)
18 ii. John Edmond (1912-1978)
iii. Corrine, Born on 3 Jun 1914. married Crawford HARRIS.
19 iv. Kelley Woodrow (1916-2001)
iv. Reedie Dale,
Born on 26 Sep 1918.
Died in Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, IL. on 5 Nov 1939, he was 21.
Buried in Bailey Cemetery, Wayne Co., IL.
Death cert. #: 0000171 Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois.
20 vi. Perry Morton (1920-)
viii. Gladys Marie,
Born on 17 Jan 1923.
Died in McLeansboro, Hamilton Co. IL. on 9 Feb 1943, she was 20.
Death cert. #: 00000029 Hamilton County Illinois.
Married Auburn WOLF.
21 viii. Wanda Aline (Judy) (1925-)
ix. Robert Marshall,
Born on 29 Dec 1932.
Died in Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, IL. on 14 Dec 1935, he was 2.
Buried in Bailey Cemetery, Wayne Co., IL.
Death cert. #: 0047200 Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, IL.
22 x. Clarence Curtis (Bub) (1934-)
Born on 5 Oct 1899 in Fairfield, Wayne Co. IL.
Died in Glendale, Los AngelesCo. Cal. in Nov 1984, she was 85.
Married Blair TAIT11. Born in 1900.
They had one child:
i. Joan Blair11.
Born on 23 Aug 1924.
Died in Glendale, Los Angeles Co. Cal. on 6 Apr 1993, she was 68.
Born on 5 Jul 1900 in Fairfield, Wayne Co. IL.
Died in Madison, Dane Co. Wisc. on 24 Jun 1971, she was 70.
On 8 Nov 1919 when Cloe Marie was 19, she married Bodo Henry KARLL11, son of Paul Georg Wilhelm KARLL & Lebaretha FREIBURG, in Chicago, Cook Co. Il.
Born on 11 May 1896 in Reedsburg, Sauk Co. Wisc.
Died in Baraboo, Sauk Co. Wisc. on 18 Dec 1983, he was 87.
They had one child:
i. Paul Richard11.
Born on 16 Jun 1922 in La Crosse, La Crosse Co. Wisc.
Died in Baraboo, Sauk Co. Wisc. on 20 Feb 1963, he was 40.
Married Mary Louise FELGEN11.
Born on 6 Sep 1921 in Lagansport, Indiana.
Died in Poway, California on 30 Aug 1990, she was 68.
Fifth Generation
----------------------------------------
Born on 9 Feb 1910 in Wayne County, Illinois.
Census 1920
Died in Fairfield Memorial Hospital, Fairfield, Wayne Co., IL. on 12 Feb 2003, she was 93. OBIT
Buried on 16 Feb 2003 in Garrison Cemetery, Hamilton Co., Il.
Occupation: Homemaker. Religion: Baptist.
First married Barney Ewel (Doc) WILSON48,47.
Born 1906
Died on 8 Sep 1939 in Wayne Co., Il.
Death cert. #: 0000154 Wayne County Il.
Buried Thomason Cemetery, Wayne co. Il.
They had the following children:
i. Leota M.48
ii. Vernon47
Second married Howard (Charles) WITTERS47.
Born on 21 Jun 1904.
Died in Cisne, Wayne Co., Il. on 28 May 1984, he was 79.
Buried in Garrison Cemetery, Hamilton Co., Il. \
Soc. Sec. #: 327-18-0747 IL.
Military Service: WWII tec 5 US Army.
They had the following children:
i. Lillian47
ii. Charles47
Born on 28 Jul 1912.
Died in Sheridan, La Salle Co. IL in Jul 1978, he was 65.
Soc. Sec. #: 333-18-4243.
Married Ethel Mae NELSON, daughter of Lewis NELSON & Alice OLSON.
They had the following children:
i. Edmond Leroy
ii. Roger Wayne
iii. Jerry Dale49
iv. Jackie Lee
v. Carrine
vi. Rich
vii. Harris
Born on 20 Sep 1916 in Wayne County IL,.
Died in Wayne County IL, on 1 Feb 2001, he was 84. OBIT
Buried on 4 Feb 2001 in Olive Branch Cemetery.
Occupation: Oil fields worker, Lumber Mill, Farmer, Wayne City Grade school Janitor.
Religion: Member Bell Prairie Missionary Baptist Church.
Soc. Sec. #: 357-09-5029.
On 18 Mar 1937 when Kelley Woodrow was 20, he married Wanda Lee PERRY51,50,52, (Census 1930 )daughter of Lafayette (Lafe) PERRY (1880-1958) & Eliza McFARLAND (1885-1968).50
They had the following children:
i. Audrey Jean53,50
Born Oct. 27, 1937
Died June 7, 1997 OBIT
Buried Olive Branch Cemetery, Wayne County Il.
Married Clarence Eugene Lane son of Clarence & Hazel SMITH Lane
Born Dec. 19, 1930
Died Jan. 25, 1980
Buried Olive Branch Cemetery, Wayne County Il.
ii. Barbara50
Married Charles Ile
Born Feb. 2, 1942
Died Oct. 14, 2000
Buried Olive Branch Cemetery, Wayne County Il.
20. Perry Morton FORTH47, married Lovinia Kaythern GAMMON.
They had the following children:
i. Carolyn Arlene
ii. Garrel Perry
iii. Theron Warner
iv. Vineta May
21. Wanda Aline (Judy) FORTH47, married Bernard JENSEN.
They had the following children:
i. Beth
ii. Chris