James Cooper Forrest 1872-1914

James Cooper Forrest

1872-1914

Son of

James Forrest and Agnes Thom

Brother of
George Forrest 1864-1943
Janet Forrest 1866-1944
Barbara Forrest 1867-1953
John Forrest 1869-1955
Robert Forrest 1874-1952
Alexander Forrest 1876-1941
Mary Ann Forrest 1879-1881
William Forrest 1882-1968

Husband of

Mary Cochrane

Father of

Catherine Anne Forrest

Agnes Cochrane Forrest

James Cochrane Forrest

James Cooper Forrest was born 16^th November 1872 on Lot 9 Concession 7 of Stanley Township in Huron County, Ontario, Canada. He was the 5^th child and 3^rd son of James Forrest and Agnes Thom. He also was the only child to be given two names, James after his father and grandfather and Cooper was his father’s mother’s maiden name.

James Cooper lived just north of Stanley School #7, where he would walk to school with his siblings until he reached an age that he was needed at home on the farm. The 1881 census shows James, age 9 attending school and living with his father James age 66, his   mother Agnes age 45, his oldest brother George, age 17, had already left school to farm along side his father. James other siblings were Janet age 15, Barbara age 13, John age 11, Robert age 7, Alex age 5 and Mary age 3. Also living with the family was James’ 77 year old widowed grandmother Janet Love, mother of Agnes.

James’ sister Mary Ann died the 4^th of December that year of Namitha, a spinal disease. This is a condition that leads to the death of the nerves that control skeletal muscles, causing muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately death, usually by age two. It was the most common genetic cause of infant mortality. Mary Ann and was buried in Bayfield Cemetery.

By the census taken 25 April 1891 all the children are still living at home. Their father James was now 76 years old and the older boys George 27, John 21, James 15, Robert 17 and Alexander 15 were looking after the farm, all are listed as farmers. Another brother William had been born in November 1882 and was only 8 years old.

James Cooper’s father passed away on 21 January 1899 of natural causes at the age of 84 and was buried along side his infant daughter in Bayfield Cemetery. Upon his father’s death James inherited 1/9 of his father’s estate. James Cooper’s brother George was already married and living in British Columbia, his brother John was married and farming in Hay Township just south of the Forrest Farm.  Who was to take over the farm? James was the eldest son living at home but apparently his wish was to take up carpentry as his livelihood and later adventure west for new experiences.

On the 1901 census taken 31 March Robert was listed as head of the house and James Cooper age 25 was a carpenter. The family consisted of Robert, Janet, Barbara, James, William and their widowed mother Agnes age 65

That spring James headed west to make a better life for himself, he worked his way, stopping in Manitoba for a short while. In his bible is written Jas C Forrest, Dauphin, Man, which makes me think it was Dauphin he stopped in. Arriving in Saskatchewan he is listed in the 1903 Buffalo Lake District as a tax payer. He purchased land just south of Marquis, Sk. On the 28^th of April 1902 he purchased SW 30-18-27-W2 from Angus McLeod, who had homesteaded the land in 1888. On this land were a 16’X20’ house and a 16’X26’ stable. A mortgage of $1000.00 at 8% interest was obtained from The North of Scotland Canadian Mortage Co Ltd. Osler, Hammond & Naton General Managers

James needed help with the financing for his ideas of farming, raising horses and starting a threshing business on the prairies, he turned to friends and on December 14^th 1903  borrowed $300 from George Kennard of Oak Bay, Victoria, British Columbia. Later on March 2^nd 1904 James borrowed $100 from John Turner of Seaforth, endorsed by brother Robert Forrest. John Turner was to later purchase the Forrest farm from Robert and as of today, 2012, the Turner family still own the land. James Cooper followed in his fathers footsteps and raised and bred horses.

Winter arrived and James headed east apparently to find himself a bride, it’s assumed him already knew Mary Cochrane as she just lived south of the Forrest farm, and that maybe she was waiting for his return. Whatever the case they were married March 16^th,  1904  in Hay Township, Huron County, Ontario. James Cooper Forrest of Moose Jaw, North West Territories, age 32, son of James Forrest and Agnes Love married Mary Cochrane of Hills Green, age 30, daughter of James Cochrane and Catharine Hieronymous. On the marriage register James’ mother is listed as Agnes Love, she was actually born Agnes Thom and raised by her mother and step father Robert Love.

The couple headed west by train to begin their new life, spring on the farm would be a busy time. How would his new wife take to the home she was about to find?

On the 17^th of April 1905 their fist child was born on the farm, a daughter they named Catharine Anne Forrest. Catharine after Mary’s mother and possibly Anne after her much younger sister

On the 14^th of August 1905 James made a homestead application on the SE 30-18-27 W2, a homestead which had been abandoned by William Samuel Winn.

Things were starting to look good for the Forrest family. They fit well into the farming communities of Tuxford and Marquis. They purchased their lumber from Albert E. Piggott, agent for the Monarch Lumber Company in the village of Marquis, they had their meat butchered at the Butcher shop in Marquis owned by George Brazier, harness supplies were purchased from John Calver of Tuxford. Coal for heat was purchased from the Saskatchewan Western Elevator. Horse feed was bought from the Muma Brothers of Marquis. Veterinary,  J.J.McDermott of 43 River Street West in Moose Jaw tended to animals on the farm. Rope and general hardware were purchased at the Stinson Brother General Hardware shop in Tuxford. James traded George A Cockburn, a farmer in the Westview district one driving mare for 1 yearling colt and 1 heifer plus $10 in cash.

On the 1906 Census, taken June 24^th James was listed as age30, Mary 32, Anne 1 and W.G. Stacy a hired man. The farm consisted of 6 horses, 2 milk cows, 4 other cattle and 4 pigs

1907 June 4 had his mare “FLY” bred Vincent Young’s stallion “Moulton Everett” at a cost of $12.50

1907 June 4 had a mare “MABEL” bred by Vincent Young’s stallion “Moulton Everett” at cost of $12.50

Exactly 4 years after the arrival of their daughter Anne, Mary gave birth to twins on April 17^th, 1909:  James Cochrane Forrest and Agnes Cochrane Forrest. Both of the twins contracted polio and it was a result of polio that Agnes fell and on August 16^th 1910 died of a concussion. She was buried in the Moose Jaw City Cemetery

James not only raised horses, a trade he had learned form his father, he started a thriving business doing custom threshing in the Marquis, Tuxford, Westview areas.

In the 1911 Census taken June 1^st James was now 38 years old, his wife Mary age 36, daughter Annie age 6, son James age 2. Arthur Bobier is also living with the family and is listed as a “Domestic” although I believe him to be a man hired to assist with the farming and threshing. A daughter of Arthur’s once told me Arthur was hired to build an addition onto the farm house.

 

On the 11 July 1911 James found himself in need of more land to raise his livestock and took out a grazing permit on N ½ 29-18-27-W2 at a cost of $12.80 per year. Now having the needed land he then, in 1912 November 20^th, purchased a three year old colt from E.E.Cudmore for $94. Again on April 10^th, 1913 James purchased 4 grade Holstein cows, # 66, #32, #59, and #24 for the cost of $375.00 from the Saskatchewan Creamery Co Ltd. These cows were purchased with no money being received by the Creamery. James agreed to ship all the cream or milk produced, outside of what he needed for his own use, to the factory in Moose Jaw. It was agreed that they would keep 50% of the proceeds to apply on the balance until paid in full. With the grazing land not keeping up to the need of his livestock in 1913 James purchased eighty bushels of feed wheat from Thomas Ernest Bayley, a local farmer, at 40 cents a bushel for a cost of $32.00

William Henry Brown worked for James on his threshing crew earning $30 in the fall of 1913. William’s son Elwin would later married Anne Forrest, although James never lived to see that happen.

On November 8^th, 1913 needing to expand his various farming businesses borrowed $882 from Joshua Dennison of Seaforth, Ontario and hired Matthew Weatherall to work for him the winter of 1913-1914 for 5 months for a wage of $10 per month.

James was a wise business man and over the years he saved and purchased 5 shares in the Home Bank Stock at $100 per share.

James had taken a train car of horses from Marquis to Expanse, while in the Expanse area he stayed with his cousin Alec Love, it was here that James suddenly took ill with a appendicitis attack. The local Dr Thomas Walsh was called to attend to him but was unable to perform the surgery needed so Dr George P. Bawden was called out from Moose Jaw. He performed an appendectomy on the kitchen table in the home Alec and Annanbella Love. James lived through the surgery and was nursed by Mrs R. Duckworth of Rodgers Sask. for three days at a charge of two dollars a day. James did not recover and died Thursday the 5^th of March, a result of his ruptured appendices.

 

1914 March 11^th James was laid to rest in the Moose Jaw City Cemetery in Block 4, Lot 5 along side his infant daughter Agnes

Broadfoot Funeral Home expense $252

Moose Jaw Evening Times, Saturday March 7, 1911

Marquis Farmer Dies SuddenlyWhile driving a team from Marquis to Expanse on Wednesday last, James Forrest, a well-known farmer of Marquis was taken suddenly ill with appendicitis and died in Expanse yesterday afternoon.During the past week Mrs Forrest has been staying with her relatives, Mr & Mrs S. Hayes, Moose Jaw and the news of the death came as a great shock to her for Mr Forrest has always enjoyed good and hearty health. at present Mrs Forrest is staying with Mr & Mrs Fred Hayes on a farm a mile west of the city. Mr Forrest owned a large farm are Marquis adjoining his brother Alec's and the two are very well-known in the farming community of Moose Jaw. The deceased was a middle-aged man and leaves a wife and two young children for whom great sympathy is felt.



Ontario Paper

Died in the west, James C. Forrest of Marquis Sask third son of Mrs James Forrest Parr Line Stanley died on March 5th near Expanse, Sask at the home of his cousin Mr Alex Love. Mr Forrest left Marguis for Expanse on February 26 with a carload of horses. He was in his usual good health and spirits. While in Expanse he was suddenly taken ill with appendicitis and was operated on March 5. he came through the operation but died 5 hours later. Deceased was a young man of 43 years of age. He was born in Stanley and spent his boyhood days there. Some twelve years ago he went to Saskatchewan and engaged in farming and had made a comfortable home for himself and family. He leaves to mourn his loss his widow and two small children also his aged mother and five brothers and two sisters. His remains were laid to rest in Moose Jaw Cemetery on March 11. The funeral took place for Broadfoots undertaking parlors in Moose Jaw. Rev Mr McMillan of Tuxford of whose church Mr Forrest was a member conducted the service assisted by the Rev M. Reeves of Moose Jaw. Much sympathy is fell for the bereaved widow and relatives.

 

James Cooper Forrest had died intestate, his brother Alexander Forrest was declared executor of the estate, and nothing could be settled until the youngest child reached the age of 21.

Everything on the farm was put up for auction.

John Ward, advertising manager of the Morning News, a newspaper published in the city of Moose Jaw, placed the following in the paper on the 2^nd, 9^th, and 16^th of June 1914

November 28^th 1914 taxes on the South half of 30-18-27 W2 were $25.80

On the death of James Cooper Forrest in 1914 the land consisting of the south half of 30-18-27 W2 was valued at $12,000.00

On 6^th December 1916 the mortgage held by the North of Scotland Canadian Mortgage Co Ltd was paid in full, the land was free of a mortgage.

On 29^th June 1917 the estate received $383.75 for a third of a car of barley from J. Gould of the North Star Grain Co Ltd

On 17^th April 1930 the youngest child had reached the age of 21 and the estate could be settled.

Finally on the 3^rd of May 1930 the estate was finalized with Catharine Anne receiving $2207.90, she had previously received $3500 on the 22^nd of April to purchase a home in Moose Jaw as this was where she was teaching. James Cochrane received $5707.90 and Mary Forrest was given the title to the farm, the south half of 30-18-27 W2