LYMAN FORGAVE, contractor and builder at Leon, was
born in Muskingum County, Ohio, July 10, 1844, son of John and Harriet (Gordon)
Forgrave, natives of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The mother is still living at
the age of seventy-five years. They were the parents of eight children, seven
of whom are living – Andrew Perry; Louisa, wife of William Turner, of
Plattsmouth, Nebraska; Robert, a resident of California; Harriet, wife of Minor
Wightman; John, a resident of Mt. Pleasant, this State; Albert and Lyman. In
1862, Mr. Forgrave enlisted as drummer in Band Four, Fifteenth Army Corps, and
was mustered out July 7, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. He resided in Chicago
for a time, where he built the Silver Smelting Works for the Swansy Smelting
Company. He also built the court-house in Leon. He was married June 18, 1872,
to Nannie, daughter of Judge Lorenzo H. and Mary A. (Wartenbe) Sales, natives
of Ohio, who came to Decatur county in 1856, where they still reside. Their
three children are – Lewis C., Frank R. and Mrs. Forgrave. Mr. and Mrs. Forgrave
have four children – Harry S., Robert L., Leslie L. and Paul L. Mr. Forgrave
owns a fine brick residence and a brick business block opposite the postoffice.
He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Masonic fraternity, and
of the Knights Templar.
SOURCE: “Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and
Decatur Counties, Iowa,” p. 548-9
