Forsyth, J. S. (Scotty)
J. S. FORSYTH CAME TO TEXAS IN YEAR 1886
Democrat, October 28, 1926
J. S. (Scotty) Forsyth, celebrated his birthday quietly in this city recently. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, sixty-six years ago, on Oct. 12.
Perhaps no native could be more loyal to the state of his birth nor more tenderly esteem her people, that he does and yet since he was a small lad he had the adventurous fever to come to the U. S. A. and try his muscle in a blacksmith shop.
His dream was realized when he came from Scotland to Sherman, Texas, with a native Texas in 1886. He entered a shop in that city and worked day and night for a blacksmith who had the repute of getting more work out of one man than other could out of a score.
For eight long years he work there. Then he came to McKinney and from that day to this had been engaged in the blacksmith business. He worked faithfully during the forty years and perhaps no citizen has a wider circle of friends, who is known by all classes and who is more generally loved.
Mr. Forsyth has often been pointed out as living up to Longfellow’s immortal poem. “The Village Blacksmith.” Teachers of the McKinney public schools have often said that (without their suggestion) the youths in reading the poem often refer to Mr. Forsyth as fitting the lines of Longfellow’s blacksmith, his honesty, happy disposition and tun that he plays on the anvil.
Mr. Forsyth always appears happy. He believes that there is a silver lining to every cloud and invariably finds the lining.
After working diligently all ay doing everything that a blacksmith is called upon to do he is never too tired to attend prayer meeting or any other church meeting. On Sundays he can be found at all services. He is an elder in the First Presbyterian church of this city and is one of the more ardent workers in all church activities. He gives liberally of his means and is in hearty sympathy with everything for the advancement of christianity.
Mr. Forsyth for a number of years has served as chairman of the United charities. Many families have taken their sorrows to him and he usually sends them away with a smile. If he has no alms to give he perhaps has a bin of clothes that have been sent in by the generous public from which the distressed may take their choice.
Mr. Forsyth has the general esteem of those who know him. He is often referred to as an “oracle,” as he has been a resident here so long and in a business that brings him in close contact with the general public, that there are very few residents that have ever lived here in forty years that he does not know many things of interest concerning their lives. His christian ideals, his interest in civic and educational affairs and in all the city’s progress makes him a worthwhile citizen.
Mr. Forsyth has never been back to Scotland since he came to Texas, a 16-year-old boy. He often receives letters which keep him posted on Scotland happenings from his twin sister in Aberdeen and other distant relatives. He loved McKinney and McKinney people and hopes to lived here a long time yet.
“I believe I will, he said, “as I was never sick but twice in my life.”
Democrat, October 28, 1926
J. S. (Scotty) Forsyth, celebrated his birthday quietly in this city recently. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, sixty-six years ago, on Oct. 12.
Perhaps no native could be more loyal to the state of his birth nor more tenderly esteem her people, that he does and yet since he was a small lad he had the adventurous fever to come to the U. S. A. and try his muscle in a blacksmith shop.
His dream was realized when he came from Scotland to Sherman, Texas, with a native Texas in 1886. He entered a shop in that city and worked day and night for a blacksmith who had the repute of getting more work out of one man than other could out of a score.
For eight long years he work there. Then he came to McKinney and from that day to this had been engaged in the blacksmith business. He worked faithfully during the forty years and perhaps no citizen has a wider circle of friends, who is known by all classes and who is more generally loved.
Mr. Forsyth has often been pointed out as living up to Longfellow’s immortal poem. “The Village Blacksmith.” Teachers of the McKinney public schools have often said that (without their suggestion) the youths in reading the poem often refer to Mr. Forsyth as fitting the lines of Longfellow’s blacksmith, his honesty, happy disposition and tun that he plays on the anvil.
Mr. Forsyth always appears happy. He believes that there is a silver lining to every cloud and invariably finds the lining.
After working diligently all ay doing everything that a blacksmith is called upon to do he is never too tired to attend prayer meeting or any other church meeting. On Sundays he can be found at all services. He is an elder in the First Presbyterian church of this city and is one of the more ardent workers in all church activities. He gives liberally of his means and is in hearty sympathy with everything for the advancement of christianity.
Mr. Forsyth for a number of years has served as chairman of the United charities. Many families have taken their sorrows to him and he usually sends them away with a smile. If he has no alms to give he perhaps has a bin of clothes that have been sent in by the generous public from which the distressed may take their choice.
Mr. Forsyth has the general esteem of those who know him. He is often referred to as an “oracle,” as he has been a resident here so long and in a business that brings him in close contact with the general public, that there are very few residents that have ever lived here in forty years that he does not know many things of interest concerning their lives. His christian ideals, his interest in civic and educational affairs and in all the city’s progress makes him a worthwhile citizen.
Mr. Forsyth has never been back to Scotland since he came to Texas, a 16-year-old boy. He often receives letters which keep him posted on Scotland happenings from his twin sister in Aberdeen and other distant relatives. He loved McKinney and McKinney people and hopes to lived here a long time yet.
“I believe I will, he said, “as I was never sick but twice in my life.”
