1895: The John Forrest & Mary Hamlin Forrest Mansion
Son-in-law & Daughter of Byron Delano Hamlin (just across the street)


photo credits:  An Illustrated Souvenir of Smethport Pennsylvania, ©1895
 
  see Forrest Mansion 2001


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He Married the Boss' Daughter! John Forrest, attorney at law, Smethport, was born in Brooklyn, NY, February 8, 1851, a son of John and Ann (Wright) Forrest, natives of Scotland, who came to Brooklyn, NY, in 1845.  They reared a family of six children, John being the eldest son.  He received a practical business education in the schools of Brooklyn, and when sixteen years of age entered the law office of Edwin C. Delevan, where he remained until 1868.  He then went to Fall Brook, Penn., where he was employed as clerk in the office of the county, as paymaster for the Buffalo Coal Company; after remaining there about one year he went to Buffalo, NY, as book-keeper for the same company.  In January, 1877, he came to Smethport, McKean county, and entered the law and land office of Bryon Delano Hamlin.  Mr. Forrest married in August, 1878, Miss Mary, daughter of Byron Delano and Harriet (Holmes) Hamlin, and to them have been born two children:  Helen and Ruth.  Mr. and Mrs. Forrest are members of the Episcopal Church.  Mr. Forrest has always been a Democrat in politics.

 

Mrs. Mary Forrest Succumbed to Illness Saturday
Well known and Highly Respected Native of this Borough
McKean County Democrat; June 22, 1944


Mrs. Mary Hamlin Forest, 87, who has been a life long resident of Smethport, died at her home at 6 o’clock Saturday morning.

The daughter of Byron D. and Harriett Holmes Hamlin, she was born in Smethport September 29, 1856. She was united in marriage to John Forrest, in Smethport on August 1, 1878. Her husband was a partner with her father in the law firm of Hamlin and Forrest, and he preceded her in death on August 13, 1918.

Two children were born to the couple, Mrs Ruth Forrest Ashworth of Smethport, who survives, and Helen Forrest Mitchell, who died in 1918.

Other survivors include five grandchildren, Corp. Forrest Jerome Newman of the U.S. Army in South Pacific; Lieut. Phillip E. Newman of the U.S.N.R, in the South Pacific; Mrs. Lane W. Fizzell of Smethport; Mrs. P.J. Megivern, Jr., of Smethport; and Ensign George Mitchell, U.S.N.R, of Racife, Brazil. Also six great-grandchildren, Ann and P.J. Megivern 3rd, and Donna Hamlin Fizzell of Smethport; Frederick Mitchell, Arthur W. Mitchell 2nd, and Marcia Newman of Erie.

Mrs. Forrest was a devout member of the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Smethport and a charter member of the Smethport Travelers Club and of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 19,(1944) at 2:15 p.m. from the home on Main Street and at 2:30 o’clock services were conducted at St. Luke’s Church. The Rev. Rodney F. Cobb, rector, officiated, assisted by Record Emeritus Rt. Rev. W.E. Van Dyke.

Those from out-of-town who attended the funeral were Mrs. Philip Newman, Erie; Mrs. Lowell Oakes, Mt. Jewett; Mrs. E. O’N. Kane, Kane; Arthur Mitchell, De Land, Florida; Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Nourse, Kenmore; Harry Ashworth, Randolph; Mr. and Mrs. P.J. Mundy, Bradford; Mrs. Frank Butler and Mrs. E.J. Peterson, Port Allegheny; Mr. and Mrs. John Hubbard, Holicong; and Mrs. Harriett W.Andover.

Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery in the B.D. Hamlin Mausoleum.


Forrest Mansion 2001

 
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To Byron Hanlin Mansion To side yard To the Sartwell Mansion Move North on Washington Street