The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1877-02-09
IN MEMoRs.AM.
Funeral Of the Late Major Torbis.

/
One of the largest assemblages we hay
ever seen in Helena, congregated at tn
house and on the street in front of til
residence of the late Major ]. F. Forbis
on Sunday last, on the occasion Of hi
funeral. The condition of his family, a
well as the vast concourse of citizens
forbade any extended religious services
The Rev, David Morton was called upon t,
ofhciate and made the following remarks
which at the request of many we publish
Mr. Morton did not prepare them for pub
iication, but as they are just tribute to {
worthy citizen, we give them to our read
ers -
Johnathan. Franklin Forbis was born al
Stanford, Lincoln county, Kentucky, Jan
uary %, 1916. He was married December
13, 1886, to Miss America Perrin, who
became the mother of his ten children
three of whom are dead. OF the surviving
children, there are four daughters and
three sons, all of whom are present to-day.
Major Forbis removed with his family
in 1841 to what was then known as the
"Platte Purchase, " and afterwards became
Platte county, Missouri. There they re-
sided until 1864, when they came to Vir-
ginia City, Montana, where they remained
until the following spring, when they set
tied on a farm near this place. He built
this house in 1858, and has since lived al
ternately here and at the farm. He died
in this room at o o'clock, a. m, January
26, 1877, after less than 4s hours illness,
being at the time within one day of 81
years of age. ~E- ....e .f
He was for three years one of the County
Commissioners in this county, and served
one term as a Representative from this
county in the Legislature of Montana. He
was often called to preside at public meet
ings, and felt a lively interest in public af-
fairs, especially in internal improvements,
of which he was warm advocate.
He was brought up under Presbyterian
influences, but joined the Christian church
in Kentucky in 1888, and has been ever
since leading member and officer in that
church. He eften spoke and prayed in
public. In fact, would take any part in
the services, or conduct the same when
necersary.
The immediate cause of his death was
apoplexy, the first symptoms of which were
felt about two days before his decease.
They, however, excited no serious alarm,
until about o'clock on Thursday morning
last, when he became unconscious, and
remained SO to the end. These are the
simple annals of life by which many
we're made happier and the world was made
better. ssa +
Major Forbis has been represented to me
BY those who knew him we'll, as man of
sterling sense and general information.
he is said to have kept himself well advised
With reference to the current events of the
lay, both local and general, and to have
lad sound judgment both as to men and
;hings. His opinions, both in public and
'h1irch affairs, were sought for and esteem
I'd. His advice was often asked by indi-
7iduals with reference to their private
OWED, ana WIFI goou results. he was
me of those safe men to whom the people
n critical times look for judicious counsel
md a good example. He was the kind of
'riend which person in trouble likes to
meet. Clear in his conclusions and calm
n their expression, ready to advise and
willing to help.
I have seldom met man held in more
general esteem. Since came among you
ast fall have been asked several times:
s Have you formed the acquaintance OF
Major Forbis?" and the question has in
nearly every instance been accompanied
with some remark expressive Of profound
and high admiration for him. /
vas introduced to him ON the street some
two months since and was at once i'm
pressed with the conviction that the esti-
mate placed upon him by his friends was
very just-that he deserved all they accord
ed to him.
OF his domestic relations may say he
was in them happy himself and made all
about him happy. Loved by his wife as
only a wife can love, venerated by his sons
and sons-in-law with affectionate regard
and almost adored by his daughters, his
was loving, loved and loveable household.
The first time I met him under his own
roof was struck with the delicate kindness
with which he every few moments asked
of his then afflicted wife how she felt, and
with the extreme solicitude he seemed to
feel that she should be as comfortable as
possible with fractured limb. The tender
regard he manifested for his wife and the
general air Of cheerfulness even in af1iction
which pervaded the whole house attracted
me SO that / stayed twice as long as l
designed, and left with regret remarking
to myself, !" This is one Of the places to
which shall come as often as fcan. "
AS Christian, Major Forbis enjoyed
the confidence of all who knew him. In a
quiet, unpretentious way he lived his re-
ligion, and thus furnished the very best
evidence of its reality, and that he himself
possessed what he claimed. Christians
loved him as brother and men Of the
world respected his piety. His household
and the little band Of Christians whose
devotiens he assisted and conducted viii
We trust, follow him as he followed Christ
and when life's journey is over may the!
all worship together before the great whit
throne. Christ said of one whom he dearl.
loved, "Our fried Lazarus sleepeth." Q
the rulers daughter He said, 80 She is no
dead, but sleepeth." have recalled thes
passages many time to my own comfort
| have seldom passed the old family gray
yard where my mother and one-half of a,
own children lie buried without thinkin
/ OF this blessed assurance of Gods. worf
As look ut that calm, peaceful face, tbs
body reposing SO quietly in yonder coftiI
| think of them again. The voice ths