My Genealogy Hound

JOHN W. FORREST, for some years engaged in the hotel business in Conshohocken, is a native of that village, where he was born October 30, 1859. He is the son of William B. and Bridget (Driscoll) Forrest.

William B. Forrest (father) was a native of county Cork, Ireland, born in 1828. He was educated in the common schools of his native country and after leaving school learned the trade of engineer, which he followed all his life. He married in Ireland, Bridget Driscoll, of the same neighborhood as himself. After their marriage they decided to come to America and seek their fortunes in the new world. They landed in Philadelphia, and soon came to Conshohocken, where Mr. Forrest secured a position as engineer with the Alan Wood Company. He held his position for many years and stood high in his employers’ esteem, being regarded as a model engineer and machinist. He died in Conshohocken in 1879. In politics Mr. Forrest was a Republican, and ill religious faith an adherent of the Catholic church. Mr. and Mrs. Forrest had the following children: Mary J., Annie, Sarah, James, William, Helen, Willamina, Edward and John W., the last named the subject of this sketch.

John W. Forrest was educated in the public schools of Conshohocken. After leaving school he learned the trade of baker, pursuing that occupation for three years or more, and later opened a hotel in Conshohocken. He remained there for several years, and then removed to Reading, Pennsylvania, where he conducted a hotel very successfully for several years, and then retired, but later decided to return to Conshohocken and open a hotel at the same place where he first commenced in the business, which he did. He is a Republican in politics, and has been frequently solicited to become a candidate for office, but has always declined on the ground that it would interfere with his business. In religious faith Mr. Forrest is a member of the Catholic church. He is an upright man and a public-spirited citizen.

Mr. Forrest married, November 27, 1894, Elizabeth, daughter of John Rhoads, a weaver, of Delaware county, Pennsylvania. The couple have the following children: Alice, Elizabeth and Jennie.