Thomas Forsyth was born in Jefferson County, Ky., January 23, 1816, and is the son of James and Jane (Sturgeon) Forsyth. The parents were natives of Virginia, and came to Kentucky in an early day. Their marriage resulted in the birth of the following children: Matilda, Margaret, Mary, James, Thomas, John and David, all of whom, but Thomas, are deceased. The father died in 1821, at the age of forty-three years, his death occurring in Kentucky, and subsequently in 1830, the widowed mother and her four sons, emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana, and in the same year, settled near the present location of Trafalgar. Subsequently the mother became the wife of Garret Terhune. Her death occurred at her home in the town of Trafalgar about the year 1856, at the age of seventy years. The subject of this sketch was a youth of fifteen years when his mother came to this county, and has since lived here. He was reared on a farm and received a fair education for his day. He has followed farming for a chosen occupation. He remained with his mother till he reached his majority, and in the fall of 1837 he was united in marriage with Mary Ragsdale, a native of Oldham County, Ky., born August 28, 1816. She died in the fall of 1864. Eight children were born unto the above marriage, as follows: John Thomas, deceased, James Harvey, Mitchell S., Martha Ellen, Robert Fulton, deceased, Sarah J., Milton and Bronson H. In 1873, Mr. Forsyth married for a second wife Mrs. Malinda J. Garrison, whose death occurred nine years later. Mr. Forsyth settled on his farm in Union Township soon after his marriage. He has never aspired to public life, but has preferred the life of a prosperous farmer. Though he has never connected himself with the church, he is in sympathy with all denominations.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D.D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 883.